Health and Wellness
Whole-Person Wellness
Healing involves far more than emotional health alone. At Second Nature, we take a whole-person approach that recognizes the connection between physical, emotional, relational, and mental well-being. Our goal is to help students develop healthier habits that support not only their time in treatment, but also their long-term well-being.
Throughout the program, students build practical skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, healthy communication, nutrition, movement, and self-care. These experiences are intentionally woven into daily life, reinforcing the therapeutic work taking place with therapists, field instructors, and families.
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellness
Mindfulness is woven throughout the Second Nature experience. Grounded in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), students learn practical skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and healthy communication.
The natural environment provides an ideal setting to slow down, reduce distractions, and become more aware of thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Throughout the day, therapists and field instructors help students recognize what they are experiencing in the moment and practice healthier ways of responding.
Rather than learning these skills only in a therapy session, students have repeated opportunities to apply them during everyday experiences while hiking, working together, participating in group therapy, resolving conflict, or navigating challenges as they arise. Over time, these moments help students develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, stronger relationships, and increased confidence in their ability to manage life's challenges.
Physical Wellness
As students establish healthy routines, they begin experiencing how physical well-being influences emotional well-being. Regular movement, quality sleep, hydration, and consistent daily habits improve mood, increase energy, reduce stress, and help them engage more fully in treatment.
Students' health is carefully monitored throughout their stay. Ongoing communication between our medical, clinical, and field teams helps ensure each student's physical health supports the important therapeutic work taking place every day.
Healthy Nutrition
Good nutrition is an important part of overall health and supports both physical and emotional well-being. Students receive three balanced meals each day, along with nutritious snacks to help maintain energy, focus, and overall wellness.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and drinking water are delivered daily, and meals are thoughtfully planned to provide variety and balanced nutrition. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergy-related, and other medically necessary dietary needs are accommodated whenever possible.
For many students, mealtimes also become an opportunity to develop healthier routines and a more balanced relationship with food. Within a supportive, structured environment, students are encouraged to view nutrition as an important part of caring for both their physical and emotional well-being.
