Five Ways to Have Fun While Staying Healthy
Many people with substance addiction imagine a healthy lifestyle to be boring. But real healthy living can be fun and enjoyable. During recovery, you will have the opportunity to explore alternative ways to feel good without risking your sobriety. Below are five ways to have fun in recovery while staying healthy.
#1. Partying Without Drugs or Alcohol
You may have had years of partying experience without being able to tell the difference between sober fun and experiencing the high after substance use. On many social occasions, people consume alcohol or use drugs as a way to loosen up and unwind. The rush of adrenaline and specific hormones that are released when you drink or use drugs feels good, which makes you want to continue to party. While this kind of relaxation may feel good at the moment, it always ends up causing impulsive behaviors or depression the next day.
Believe it or not, there are many different alternatives to alcohol that people turn to in social situations to feel as though they are drinking without actually risking their sobriety. For example, you can host a party providing alcohol-free drinks. Beverages that are carbonated, sparkling, or have a tang to them, such as kombucha, can make you feel like you are drinking alcohol, even though you are completely sober.
You can also create social occasions just with a circle of sober friends. Sharing the same desire to prioritize sobriety, there will be a low risk of substance use at the party. For example, plan for a weekly movie night. Maybe suggest each person bring food and alcohol-free drinks rather than drugs or alcohol. Even better, these parties can happen outdoors, such as going on a hike, watching a movie, or bowling. You can stay sober while enjoying the company of friends.
#2. Setting New Healthy and Fun Goals
Goal-setting is important for recovery from addiction. New goals can feel like new starting points to keep you motivated. Adding fun to goal-setting can be every more interesting. Consider setting new fun goals on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly. For example, set a new goal for this week that you are going to go jogging in the morning or take your family on a day trip over the weekend.
Mid-term or long-term goal-setting is a way to maintain a positive outlook on life. It is also beneficial for strengthening your decision-making muscles. For example, set a goal to get a degree or certificate in an area of interest for next year. This can help you invest time into building work in that direction. Attach a reward to these long-term goals so it is more fun to reach them.
#3. Exploring the Unknown in Nature
Nature offers so much unknown and fun discoveries for recovering individuals. If you are into adventures, plan a camping trip with family or friends. Travel to a natural resort you have always wanted to visit. Make use of guided tours offered by local observatories and zoos. Take your children on a summer night trail to experience some excitement while searching for fireflies and insects.
The vast inclusiveness of nature can make you feel a sense of awe, which is important in healing. It will expand your horizons. Feeling the smallness but inherent oneness of your being with the universe can better ground you. There is so much more to life than just the past. The future is full of exciting moments of exploration.
#4. Giving Back to Your Community
Volunteering for community services can also be a fun way to be active and give back. You can implement your creative talents by making posters for a cause or decorating a venue for an event. Being able to help others in need is a way to get out of your small circle of concern. Find homeless shelters, care homes, and childrenâs charitiesâthey need all the help they can get.
Giving back to your community through such services can strengthen your sense of agency. You get to participate in meaningful activities that make a difference in peopleâs lives. Your words and action can impact children and families. And all these community activities are not just beneficial but also fun.
#5. Discovering and Nurturing New Hobbies
In the past, you probably used to spend the majority of your energy and time using drugs or alcohol. Now that you are sober, you should spend that time with hobbies and other things that you enjoy. Participating in healthy and fun activities can help to prevent relapse. Hobbies are always ways to connect with yourself.
The first step is to assess your strengths and preferences. What are you good at? What do you like? Identifying some of your strengths as well as what you enjoy doing can help you find the best hobbies or activities for you. For example, if you have a good sense of humor and like to laugh, you might consider participating in a local improvisation group or doing stand-up comedy.
Whether it is learning to play an instrument, joining a book club, or learning photography, these activities are surely going to be fun and enriching. They will connect you with new relationships and new opportunities for personal growth.
What do you envision a healthy and sober lifestyle to be? Are you worried that it will turn out to be boring? The fact is, real healthy living is fun and enjoyable. During recovery, you will have the opportunity to explore alternative ways to feel good without risking your sobriety. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA, we take pride in our holistic path, which is incremental to a sustainable, long-term recovery. Our programs enrich your physical and mental well-being through various creative and unique experiences. We also offer inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs. The level of comfort we provide is unmatched. We provide an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden during your sobriety journey. With Capo Canyon Recovery, you can participate in many fun sober activities. Our extended care programs will connect you with many sober friends. Call us at (800) 804-8714.