Why Outdoor Recreation Heals: The Veteran Connection
- Jaron McCoy
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 11
For many veterans, the return to civilian life brings challenges that go far beyond the battlefield. Feelings of isolation, anxiety, and loss of purpose are common, yet too often go unspoken. At Veteran Recreation Ohio, we believe in the quiet power of nature to restore connection, strength, and hope.
Outdoor recreation isn’t just “something to do”—it’s a pathway to healing.
The Science Behind It
A growing body of research supports what many veterans already know through personal experience: spending time outdoors has measurable benefits on mental and physical health.
According to a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, outdoor recreation significantly reduces symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in veterans. In fact:
80% of veterans who participated in structured outdoor programs reported improvements in social functioning and emotional well-being.
Veterans involved in outdoor recreation showed a 32% decrease in PTSD symptoms over the course of several months.
A 2022 University of Michigan report found that veterans who spent time in natural environments at least once a week were 35% more likely to report higher life satisfaction than those who did not.
But this isn’t just about data. It’s about real stories: tying a fly at dawn, hiking through silence, feeling the tug of a fish on the line, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with someone who gets it. These moments don’t require words—they just work.
Connection and Purpose
Outdoor recreation programs help bridge the gap between military structure and civilian freedom. They offer a new kind of mission: one built around teamwork, skill-building, and shared purpose. Whether through conservation work, hunting trips, kayaking, or nature-based retreats, these experiences offer veterans a space to decompress, rediscover joy, and reconnect with themselves and others.
Many veterans say these programs give them something they didn’t realize they were missing: belonging without pressure.
What We’re Doing in Central Ohio
Here at Veteran Recreation Ohio, we’re building something lasting—right here in the heart of Ohio. Our upcoming programs will offer veterans the chance to engage in guided outdoor experiences tailored to their needs and interests. Fly fishing, hiking, wildlife tracking, and more—all designed with healing in mind.
We believe every veteran deserves the chance to feel whole again, and we’re committed to making that happen—one sunrise, one trail, one moment at a time.
Sources:
Duvall, J., & Kaplan, R. (2021). Enhancing the Well-Being of Veterans Through Nature-Based Experiences. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18(7), 3549.
University of Michigan. (2022). Nature and Veterans’ Mental Health: Exploring Outdoor Therapy Outcomes.
Outdoor Foundation (2023). Veterans in the Outdoors: Participation and Benefits Report.
There are many benefits from "recreational therapy". The sources cited above are but a few of the "reference points" that establish this known, but often under appreciated fact. There are several examples of different forms/types of recreation, but what I personally have experienced from fly fishing with others is the peace, awareness, and connection of spending time outdoors and disengaging from other worldly distractions.
Not everything is about traditional medical intervention. I refer to "recreational therapy" as back to the basics. It can (and does) form a foundation that leads to better physical and mental health.
GJ