Sun, Sea, and Sobriety: How San Diego’s Weather Aids Addiction Recovery

Environment plays a significant role in a person’s ability to recover from addiction. Research shows that individuals who leave toxic environments are more likely to let go of their addictions. 

For this reason, San Diego is a choice destination. Its mild climate, abundant sunshine, and coastal setting deliver unique mental and physical healing benefits. Fortunately, Jackson House Recovery Centers is based here. We leverage the city’s natural advantages to support lasting sobriety, helping clients overcome their addictions. 

The Science Behind Sunshine and Mental Health

The science behind sunshine and mental health is surprisingly strong. Evidence shows that sunlight exposure boosts serotonin levels and improves mood. 

Sunshine on the skin increases the production of vitamin D, a hormone that plays a critical role in brain health and emotional stability. People who get outside more often feel better in the short and long term. 

Furthermore, being somewhere sunny, like San Diego, may also help with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The sun shines most of the year here, preventing clients from feeling down and stopping an extra burden, like SAD, from interrupting or derailing the healing process. Even in the middle of January, San Diego gets more than seven hours of sunshine per day, which is considerably more than New York or the Pacific Northwest. 

Ocean Therapy: The Healing Power of the Sea

Research shows health benefits from being near the water, and the sea may play a role in helping people who come here heal from addiction.

Many people flock to the seaside during stressful times. Being close to the sound of waves, especially on the San Diego coast, can significantly improve mood. 

Coastal activities may also improve the recovery process. Going for beach walks or surfing can have a powerful effect on the mind, helping addiction recovery clients stay present and become less focused on substances. Other activities, like meditation by the shores, may also have therapeutic effects. 

How Exercise Helps With Recovery

Exercise in a location like San Diego can also be valuable for people going through the addiction recovery process, helping individuals:

• Manage cravings by giving the body something to do
• Reduce anxiety through the release of beneficial hormones
• Build routines that reduce the risk of idleness and temptation

Research shows that exercise may reduce the likelihood of relapse among individuals with substance abuse disorder (SUD) by decreasing negative mood. Research further indicates that exercise can slash “drug-seeking” behavior after abstinence by giving the body a new, healthy source of energy and feel-good hormones. 

Popular recovery-friendly outdoor activities include: 

• Hiking, which is great for people who love to get out into nature, especially around California
• Yoga, which is ideal for individuals wanting to release physical and spiritual tension in their bodies
• Paddleboarding, which can be fun for those looking to ride the surf rolling in from the Pacific 
• Cycling, an easy-going activity for people who love to ride and travel longer distances

The exercise you choose for recovery is up to you. Our advice is to do whatever works and is sustainable.

Social and Community Aspects of Recovery in San Diego

San Diego offers a communal element of addiction recovery, which many clients find helpful. Unlike many other locations, it has a vibrant recovery community and numerous support groups to get clients through the worst of their recoveries. People are available to talk to, including peers going through similar experiences. 

Clients recovering from addiction often engage in positive social activities outdoors to help rebuild connections. Being outside with friends is effective in helping people recover by simply removing themselves from unhealthy situations and living life again. 

How Jackson House Recovery Centers Utilizes San Diego’s Climate for Healing

At Jackson House Recovery Centers, we know how beneficial San Diego’s climate is for recovery. That’s one of the reasons why we love the location so much. 

We incorporate outdoor activities in our treatment and aftercare programs. These sessions get you (or your loved one) into the fresh air. We ensure a safe environment outside while overcoming addiction. 

Clients’ needs were kept in mind for a 2019 full remodel of our treatment center, which was built in 1936. The building retains much of the character of the original building but now offers a spacious kitchen, updated bathrooms, and room for outdoor activities like yoga. 

Jackson House provides a peaceful and distraction-free environment for personal growth. Our location in the city’s Golden Hills neighborhood is tranquil, with a strong sense of community, aligning with our treatment philosophy. We provide the space needed to work through the challenges of addiction recovery and get to a better place. 

Addiction Treatment in San Diego

San Diego is one of the primary destinations for people looking to overcome addictions. The city’s combination of climate, ocean, and outdoor lifestyle creates an ideal setting for recovery. Many people feel refreshed and exhilarated the moment they first walk through the front doors. 

Something wonderful about our location is that it can replace dangerous or risky environments with a safe environment for healing. Jackson House Recovery Center is a place where individuals can leave behind the challenges of their old places of residence and enjoy a fresh start. 

At our recovery center, we harness the natural benefits of the area to promote holistic healing and long-term sobriety. We believe that being steeped in this beautiful setting is important for succeeding on the journey to recovery and defeating addiction once and for all.  Contact JHRC today.