Lisa P - Nature

Nature has been a vital part of my recovery. After suffering with depression, due to alcohol being a depressant, spending time outdoors, with my two dogs has helped to ground me and has improved my well-being immensely.

Physically I feel fitter and I aim to walk between 5 - 8 miles a day. Mentally, my anxiety has lessened and is much more manageable than it was. The depression that I previously experienced has practically subsided. Emotionally, I am happier in myself. My self-worth and confidence have increased and I feel my happiest when I am outdoors, connecting with Nature.

Nature has helped me to re-connect with the world around me. I appreciate the smallest things and have so much gratitude for the start of a new day and also making it to the end of the day, alive and sober. I am grateful for the sun rising and the sun setting.

The birds singing in the tree's. The calming sound of the sea rolling in and out. The beautiful coloured shells washed upon the shore. The flowers, insects and natural beauty surrounding me. The skyline seems to forever change and with them changes, comes beauty. Something I wouldn't have seen before under the cloud of addiction.

Seeing my dog's enjoying nature too makes me smile so much.

I had always loved the outdoors, but addiction led to me isolating away. I stopped doing the things that I loved. I lost that connection with nature and the positivity that it gave me. I now embrace nature every single day, whatever the weather because there is beauty to be found in every day and every season. I always feel physically/mentally and emotionally better after spending time outdoors. Nature is therefore vital to my recovery because it not only aids my well-being, but also my recovery too.