Adventures on the open road help James stay connected
In the heart of summer, road-trips are set to become a common sight as one individual named James prepares to embark on more adventures. James, a remarkable young man with social anxiety and additional needs, has found solace and connection in the simple pleasures of road-trips and outdoor activities, all made possible through thoughtful strategies and accommodations.
Director of the Additional Needs Ministry at Urban Saints, Mark Arnold, shares his insights and experiences in a blog post on The Additional Needs Blogfather. Arnold's approach revolves around gradual exposure, understanding triggers, and creating a supportive environment to enable James to participate in outdoor activities with confidence and comfort.
One effective method is gradual exposure and trigger identification. Arnold starts by identifying specific social anxiety triggers and introduces outdoor activities in small, manageable steps to build confidence and reduce overwhelm. For James, this means beginning with familiar routes during road-trips, allowing him to enjoy the sights from the safety of the car.
Engaging in low-intensity outdoor exercises like walking, yoga, or stretching also promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety without overstimulation. Arnold ensures that the environment is physically safe and accessible, dressing appropriately for weather conditions, and allowing control over the pace and choice of activity to improve comfort and reduce stress.
Nature-based therapies, such as ecotherapy, horticulture, animal-assisted therapy, forest bathing, and green exercise, can improve mental health by fostering a calming and supportive outdoor environment. These activities have been instrumental in helping James feel more connected to the world outside.
Social support and grounding techniques are also essential. Encouraging participation with trusted peers or support persons and using grounding exercises (e.g., noticing five sensory details) help James stay centered during activities.
Building purpose and accomplishment through activities like conservation or gardening fosters a sense of achievement and positive engagement outdoors. The craft class even comes to James in his car so he can participate, with all resources for the craft activity brought along.
This synthesis is grounded on evidence that physical activity and nature exposure reduce anxiety, alongside practical tips to manage social anxiety by understanding triggers and using supportive social and mindfulness strategies.
Road-trips not only help James stay connected with the outside world but also aid in increasing his confidence. As his journey continues, more road-trips during the week are planned, with the aim of expanding his horizons and enriching his experiences.
This article was re-published with permission from Evangelical Focus and The Additional Needs Blogfather.
- Mark Arnold, the Director of the Additional Needs Ministry at Urban Saints, has written about his experiences with a young man named James, who has social anxiety and additional needs, on The Additional Needs Blogfather.
- As part of his approach, Arnold uses gradual exposure and trigger identification to allow James to participate in outdoor activities with confidence and comfort, starting with familiar routes during road-trips.
- Engaging in low-intensity outdoor exercises like walking, yoga, or stretching, along with nature-based therapies, have been instrumental in helping James feel more connected to the world outside and improve his mental health.
- To further support James, social support and grounding techniques are essential, such as encouraging participation with trusted peers or support persons and using grounding exercises during activities.
