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Healing Veterans Through Farming and the Outdoors

Alfred Ross

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Published in Field Exercises: How Veterans Are Healing Themselves Through Farming And Outdoor Activities

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For many veterans, the transition back to civilian life can be a challenging one. They may have difficulty adjusting to a new routine, finding a job, and coping with the emotional and physical effects of their service. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that farming and other outdoor activities can be a powerful tool for helping veterans heal and rebuild their lives.

Field Exercises: How Veterans Are Healing Themselves through Farming and Outdoor Activities

by Stephanie Westlund

4.5 out of 5

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Farming and outdoor activities provide a number of benefits for veterans. They can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and boost mood. They can also help veterans connect with nature and with other people, which can be important for those who have experienced trauma or isolation. In addition, farming and outdoor activities can provide veterans with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which can be helpful for those who are struggling to find their place in civilian life.

There are a number of different ways that veterans can get involved in farming and outdoor activities. Some veterans choose to start their own farms, while others volunteer with organizations that provide farming and outdoor activities for veterans. There are also a number of programs that provide financial and technical assistance to veterans who want to start their own farms or businesses.

If you are a veteran who is interested in learning more about how farming and outdoor activities can help you heal, there are a number of resources available to you. You can contact your local VA medical center, or you can visit the websites of organizations such as the Farmer Veteran Coalition, the Veterans Green Jobs Program, and the National Center for PTSD.

Farming and outdoor activities can be a powerful tool for helping veterans heal and rebuild their lives. If you are a veteran who is struggling with the transition back to civilian life, consider giving farming or other outdoor activities a try. You may be surprised at how much they can help you.

Here are some specific examples of how farming and outdoor activities have helped veterans heal:

Reduced stress and anxiety: Studies have shown that farming and outdoor activities can help reduce stress and anxiety levels in veterans. This is likely due to the fact that these activities provide a sense of calm and relaxation. They can also help veterans connect with nature, which has been shown to have a calming effect.
Improved sleep: Farming and outdoor activities can also help improve sleep quality in veterans. This is likely due to the fact that these activities help reduce stress and anxiety, which can lead to better sleep. In addition, farming and outdoor activities can help veterans get regular exercise, which is also known to improve sleep quality.
Boosted mood: Farming and outdoor activities can also help boost mood in veterans. This is likely due to the fact that these activities provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment. They can also help veterans connect with nature, which has been shown to have a mood-boosting effect.
Increased social interaction: Farming and outdoor activities can also help veterans increase their social interaction. This is important for veterans who have experienced trauma or isolation. Farming and outdoor activities can provide veterans with opportunities to meet new people and build relationships.
Improved physical health: Farming and outdoor activities can also improve physical health in veterans. This is due to the fact that these activities provide regular exercise. Exercise can help improve cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. It can also help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Field Exercises: How Veterans Are Healing Themselves through Farming and Outdoor Activities

by Stephanie Westlund

4.5 out of 5