Gardeners already know how great this activity is for mental
health. It’s relaxing, a good way to cope with stress, allows you to
connect with nature, and provides a quiet time to reflect or not have to think
at all. There is now evidence that gardening and being outdoors can aid in
recovery from addiction and improve mental health as well. There are even
organized programs for horticultural
and garden therapy.
How Gardening Helps in Recovery from Addiction
Helping addiction with gardening should only be done after
or while receiving professional support. This is a serious disease that is best
treated by mental health and addiction professionals. Used as a supportive
therapy or activity, gardening can be very useful.
Gardening is a healthy activity to replace drug or alcohol
use. People in recovery are often encouraged to take up one or two new hobbies
to fill in extra time in beneficial ways. Gardening can become a distraction
from cravings and negative thoughts, helping to prevent a relapse. New skills
learned in creating a garden promote self-confidence and create an important
sense of purpose.
Creating a vegetable garden may help someone in recovery
start a healthier diet. Gardening provides physical activity to improve overall
health. Spending time outdoors and in nature improves measures of physical and
mental health, including lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, boosting the
immune system, and reducing anxiety and depression. Gardening can also act as a
type of meditation during which a person can reflect and focus the mind.
Gardening for Addiction Recovery
Gardening and addiction recovery go hand-in-hand. There are
many ways you can use this activity to help promote recovery. For instance, you
may just want to take up gardening in your yard. If you’re new to gardening, start
small. Work on one flower bed or start
a small vegetable patch.
You can also use gardening for addiction recovery in a more
structured way. Consider taking classes through a county
extension office, local nursery and gardening center, or through a facility
that offers outpatient treatment and aftercare services. Many rehab centers
have ongoing programs for people in recovery, including classes with activities
like gardening and group support sessions in the garden.
Gardeners already know how great this activity is for mental
health. It’s relaxing, a good way to cope with stress, allows you to
connect with nature, and provides a quiet time to reflect or not have to think
at all. There is now evidence that gardening and being outdoors can aid in
recovery from addiction and improve mental health as well. There are even
organized programs for horticultural
and garden therapy.
How Gardening Helps in Recovery from Addiction
Helping addiction with gardening should only be done after
or while receiving professional support. This is a serious disease that is best
treated by mental health and addiction professionals. Used as a supportive
therapy or activity, gardening can be very useful.
Gardening is a healthy activity to replace drug or alcohol
use. People in recovery are often encouraged to take up one or two new hobbies
to fill in extra time in beneficial ways. Gardening can become a distraction
from cravings and negative thoughts, helping to prevent a relapse. New skills
learned in creating a garden promote self-confidence and create an important
sense of purpose.
Creating a vegetable garden may help someone in recovery
start a healthier diet. Gardening provides physical activity to improve overall
health. Spending time outdoors and in nature improves measures of physical and
mental health, including lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, boosting the
immune system, and reducing anxiety and depression. Gardening can also act as a
type of meditation during which a person can reflect and focus the mind.
Gardening for Addiction Recovery
Gardening and addiction recovery go hand-in-hand. There are
many ways you can use this activity to help promote recovery. For instance, you
may just want to take up gardening in your yard. If you’re new to gardening, start
small. Work on one flower bed or start
a small vegetable patch.
You can also use gardening for addiction recovery in a more
structured way. Consider taking classes through a county
extension office, local nursery and gardening center, or through a facility
that offers outpatient treatment and aftercare services. Many rehab centers
have ongoing programs for people in recovery, including classes with activities
like gardening and group support sessions in the garden.