The world can be a very stressful place. It is difficult to find an adult who is not busy with work or school, social and family obligations, extracurricular activities, housekeeping and more. One only has to do a little research into stress to learn how pervasive it is, and how desperately people are seeking an escape from it. Professional counseling and anti-anxiety medications are costly. Substance abuse and addiction are horribly destructive, mentally and physically. Why spend money or turn to something harmful to escape when the outdoors have proven to be the most effective remedy for stress and hardships in the world? In order to have a spiritual recovery from addiction and mental disorder, consider taking the time to revisit the natural world.

People have been drawn to the great outdoors since the beginning of time. There is a beauty and wonder in nature that we cannot quite explain or comprehend, and contemplating it can be a very pure kind of therapy. Regardless of how one spends time in nature, there is always something beneficial they can take from the experience. The wide open spaces give us a sense of freedom, the natural aromas soothe our senses and the aesthetic beauty moves us emotionally in a positive way.

Nature therapy is so effective that there are professional counselors and mental health experts that lead nature therapy retreats and seminars for people looking to cope with stress and center themselves. These retreats can last anywhere from part of a day to several weeks and usually consist of meditation and activities in nature. It is wise to combine mental exercise and physical exercise in nature when looking to clear the mind of stress. It has been proven that the brain processes information more efficiently when more parts of it are operating at once. When the brain is sorting out a life issue, doing a physical activity will apply more of the brain to solving the problem.

If you are experiencing stress due to work, school, relationships or anything else, or if you are battling a mental disorder or addiction, go to a peaceful natural setting that you know of and try doing a physical exercise as well as a mental exercise you enjoy. You may be surprised at how therapeutic these activities can be.