Benefits of Getting Out in Nature During Addiction Treatment (and Beyond!)
Addiction can take a lot away from you and your life. Once you commit to an alcohol rehab or drug rehab program, you will come to see that there are many things and experiences that you may have been missing out on during the time that you were active in addiction. It would be best to consider incorporating outdoor activities for addiction treatment as we advance. There are several fantastic advantages of including outdoor activities for addiction treatment, such as:
- Stress release
- Enjoying new sites and sounds
- Spending more time with friends and family members
- Increase in Vitamin D
Spending time outside may have been something that you hated when you were in addiction. However, over time you may come to notice that being outdoors gives you a sense of calm that you can’t find anywhere else. Sometimes, taking the time to take a deep breath and focus on something other than what may be bothering you at the moment is the best option for a person that may still be new to the world of sobriety.
Best Forms of Exercise for People in Recovery
Getting up and moving your body has fantastic benefits all around, particularly for a person working their way through an addiction treatment program. Some examples of the best forms of indoor and outdoor activities for addiction treatment include:
Yoga
Yoga is an excellent form of exercise for a person in recovery because it can help control the racing thoughts or feelings of anxiety that a person may have as they work through this stage of their life. Yoga focuses on learning specific breathing techniques and pairing them with physical movements, which can help to make a person feel more relaxed.
Running
Running is a great activity for any person because it’s physically challenging and something that you have to work toward to get better at. If you want to become a runner, a good rule is to start walking every day. Although you may find this activity challenging at times, you can continue to challenge yourself and perhaps sign up to run a 5k or something even longer, which can undoubtedly give you a sense of accomplishment.
Hiking
Hiking is a beautiful way to see new areas of Los Angeles. Even if you have lived in the Los Angeles area for your entire life, hiking gives you the chance to see LA differently. When going on a hike, make sure to pack a backpack and a bottle of water to ensure that you’re well-fed and hydrated throughout this challenging activity.
Biking
You can go for a bike ride nearly anywhere. While it may be fun to find a biking path that you can explore, you can always go for a bike ride through one of the streets close to you if you need to get outside for a little while.
Hiking Trails in Los Angeles
Although Los Angeles is thought of as a bustling city, there are plenty of beautiful outdoor venues that you can easily take advantage of at seemingly any point in your day. If you prefer to go on a hike, why not try one of these great options:
Temescal Gateway Park
Temescal Gateway Park is a picturesque hiking trail located along the outskirts of Los Angeles. This beautiful site features incredible views and is a unique challenge for new and experienced hikers.
15601 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
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Hollyridge Trail
Hollyridge Trail is arguably one of the most popular hiking trails in the Los Angeles area. This hiking trail goes directly behind the famous “Hollywood” sign, giving you an abundance of opportunities for photo ops. Taking a hike along this trail will take approximately two to three hours, but it will help you have experiences you will not soon forget.
3200 Canyon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068
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Charlie Turner’s Trail
If you’re a more experienced hiker, you may be interested in visiting Charlie Turner’s Trail. This hiking trail will take you nearly half the day to navigate, so bring a bottle of water and snacks with you for your adventure. Also, don’t leave your camera at home!
2840 W Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Bike Paths in Los Angeles
If you aren’t in the mood to go for a hike, perhaps a bike ride would be more beneficial for you? Here are some examples of the best bike paths in Los Angeles:
Lake Hollywood Reservoir
Lake Hollywood Reservoir is a perfect place to go regardless of whether you are new to the biking world or you have been biking for some years. Not only does this location serve as a fantastic winding path of bike trails, but it also provides a scenic environment where you can either begin your day on the right foot or end a stressful one. The Lake Hollywood Reservoir is open from 6:30 AM to 6 PM.
2600 Lake Hollywood Drive, Hollywood, CA 90068
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Elysian Park
If you’re looking to spend a day outside with your friends or family members while enjoying the beautiful California weather with a bike, you may want to consider a trip to Elysian Park. When you get tired of biking, you can take advantage of the playgrounds or general picnic area. The best part about this park, over and above its natural beauty, is that it opens every day at 5 AM and doesn’t close until 9 PM.
929 Academy Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
True to its name, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a beautiful place to take a bike ride, especially if you are beginning to bike. The terrain is easier to navigate but still provides an incredible sightseeing adventure. However, the hours are limited at this location to the typical business hours of 8 AM and 5 PM. But the trail is open on the weekend, so you can take advantage of going to this location if you work during the week.
6300 Hetzler Rd, Culver City, CA 90232
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Top LA Beaches
It goes without saying that Los Angeles is primarily known for its incredible beaches that you may want to make time to see:
Torrance Beach
If you’re interested in experiencing fabulous sunrises and majestic sunsets, then Torrance Beach is the place for you to visit. A bonus of this beach is that there are delicious places to eat along the stretch of the beach, which means that you can either opt to eat out or simply pack a picnic of all your favorite goodies and enjoy a day soaking up some Vitamin D.
387 Paseo de la Playa, Torrance, CA 90501
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Will Rogers State Beach
Will Rogers State Beach is relatively small compared to the other beaches in the Los Angeles area; however, it provides more of a tranquil setting. The beach is only two miles long and relatively close to get to, which is part of its appeal. If you’re an avid biker or you enjoy pick-up games of volleyball, Will Rogers State Beach is definitely the beach for you.
17000 CA-1, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
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Point Dume Beach
Point Dume Beach is a unique beach because it provides more to do than swim throughout the year. There is undoubtedly something for everyone at this beach, from fishing to scuba diving to whale-watching during the winter. If you’re interested in whale-watching, there are specific times of the day that you should plan on visiting the beach. A good rule of thumb is to check ahead regarding the hours for that day to ensure that you can get onto the beach when you need to.
6800 Westward Beach Road, Malibu, CA 90265
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Addiction Treatment and Recovery Support at Muse Treatment Center in Los Angeles
At Muse Treatment Center, we believe that our clients must holistically approach addiction recovery, so we always encourage you to take advantage of all of the benefits of spending time out in nature. Regardless of whether you prefer to go on a hike or go on a long bike ride, you will come to see that committing to this type of schedule can fit in perfectly into a recovery plan. If you’re ready to learn more about the addiction treatment opportunities at Muse Treatment Center, we encourage you to reach out to us at (800) 426-1818 and speak to a member of our intake team. We can provide you with the information you need when you’re ready to tackle your addiction.
The post Top 4 Outdoor Activities to Support Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles appeared first on Muse Treatment.
source https://musetreatment.com/blog/top-4-outdoor-activities-to-support-addiction-treatment-in-los-angeles/
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