Many recovery programs are designed to foster faith in an individual. Faith is having confidence in the things we hope for and being reassured that everything truly happens for a reason. Overcoming an addiction can be a very challenging process, although having faith increases your chance of recovery and your chance of finding peace. Having faith typically goes hand in hand with connecting to a higher power or higher being.
Identifying, connecting with, and relying on a higher power is a crucial element in the recovery process. Most 12-Step programs heavily emphasize the importance of putting faith in a higher power to make your recovery and your life more rewarding and meaningful. While many individuals practice their faith through religion and through God, others may practice their faith in other ways. With the powerful healing force that nature holds, could it be your higher power?
Nature’s Benefits
Nature is the core of who we are. Everywhere we look, we are reminded of the vastness and beauty that Mother Nature holds. We can see the pristine design of a leaf, the stars in the sky, or a seemingly endless body of water and be overwhelmed with our world’s beauty. Eventually, we all question our place in the universe. Many of us feel connected to the energies that run through nature and turn to nature for direction and guidance. Consider our ancestors — they relied on nature not only for purpose, but for survival. Although our circumstances have shifted centuries later, nature continues to be a powerful force in healing and well-being.
Connection to nature is essential in promoting physical and mental well-being. Scientific research proves that exposure to nature has numerous health benefits, such as improved mood, improved attention, reduced stress, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, and an increase in empathy and cooperation.
Many mental health and substance use issues are associated with a disconnect of the mind, body, and nature. Addiction specifically is associated with impaired cognitive functioning that allows cravings and triggers to take precedence in the mind. Researchers have found that spending time in nature and interacting with nature promotes cognitive development and self-controlling behaviors. A simple walk in the park or meditation in a field are healthy behaviors that have greater effects than just a steady heart rate. Being immersed in nature can actually help restructure your mind.
Believing in Nature
How do we believe in nature when we already know it’s real? Well, believing in nature is more about believing in nature’s ability to heal and foster connection. With addiction, we feel disconnected. Whether we are disconnected from ourselves, our surroundings, or other people, disconnection is the core of most substance use and mental health issues. Nature helps us re-establish this sense of connection, beginning with our own connection to our environment. If you stop and take a look around you, would you be in awe of what you see? Do you have yet to appreciate how rare and beautiful it is that we even exist? There are so many easy ways to connect with nature and eventually foster the connection we have with ourselves.
Nature provides for us. Nature sings for us. Nature gives us something to rely on when all other connections seem to fail. Have you ever tried believing in nature?
Connecting With Nature as Your Higher Power
Perhaps you are feeling called to explore nature as your higher power. Maybe you are looking to strengthen the connection you have with nature, or you are beginning to understand the endless benefits that your environment can have on your health. Let’s take a look at some ways that you can connect with nature as your higher power:
- Start a garden – Watching a little seed spring into life can be an amazing way to connect with your environment. Planting is something that many of us do not do ourselves, although it can be a very rewarding experience. There are hundreds of thousands of different plants and vegetables that you can grow yourself at home!
- Get a bird feeder – Hanging up a bird feeder will encourage many new birds to fly around your property. There are different kinds of feeders that attract different types of birds. Bird feeders are a great way to give back to your environment and appreciate these elegant animals from a distance.
- Go barefoot – Standing barefoot on grass, sand, or dirt is a meditative practice. Feel how solidly the earth lies beneath your feet. There are natural energies that will circulate through the ground beneath you into your body. Being grounded is not only metaphorical, but it’s also a spiritual way to feel connected to your environment.
- Hug a tree – As silly as it may sound, hugging a tree is a way to show outward gratitude and appreciation for your environment. It is both grounding and comforting. The stability of the tree can be empowering as well, as each and every standing tree has withstood many intense weather challenges — yet it still remains intact.
Addiction is a complex disease that can develop when we disconnect from our body, our mind, and our environment. Addiction recovery emphasizes the importance of having faith in a higher power, something outside of ourselves. Having faith in a higher power increases our chances for lasting recovery and promotes feelings of purpose and well-being. As we suffer from the emotional and physical cravings of addiction in recovery, our higher power guides us and motivates us to stay on track. Mother Nature can be identified as one of these higher powers, as the healing properties of nature are endless. At Jaywalker Lodge, we motivate and encourage men in recovery to connect with their environment through numerous outdoor activities. We believe in the healing powers and connectivity of nature, and we rely on nature to help addicted individuals find the strength to believe in themselves. You are strong enough and deserve to experience a life outside of addiction. Call us now at (866) 529- 9255.
