10 Ways to Have Fun in Recovery
Who said sobriety has to be boring? To the contrary, many people in recovery find themselves with a new wellspring of creative energy. Making intentional choices to spend your time in productive, positive ways will keep you moving forward and leave you feeling good about yourself. Here are ten ways to have fun while in recovery.
Over the course of your recovery, you’ll likely have felt some pretty strong emotions. Instead of quashing them down or finding unhealthy outlets, take this chance to explore creative self-expression as a means of letting those emotions loose. Even if you’ve never tried before, or you don’t think you’re “good enough,” don’t let that stop you–art is subjective and your goal is to create, not to impress. Write a story, compose a song, paint, sculpt, dance, start a podcast, play an instrument, recite a poem. You may surprise yourself!
- Get in Touch With Your Body
The feeling of being “in your body,” also known as feeling rooted or grounded, can leave you fresh and clear-headed to tackle anything your day throws at you. Practice yoga, stretching, or engage in more rigorous exercise. You don’t need to go to a gym to develop a regimen of pushups, situps, and other home exercises. Go on a brisk walk and get your heart rate up. It’s a free investment in your future health and wellbeing.
- Get in Touch With Your Mind
Just like improving your body, caring for your mind is one of the best investments you can make. Start each morning with meditation. Challenge yourself with crosswords, Sudoku, or puzzles. Read a book you’ve been putting off. Make sure to set aside time for self-reflection and marking your gratitude on all the good things in your life.
If the circumstances are right, nothing can boost your personal responsibility and inner happiness like a good pet. You’ll have to take care of them each day, giving you an automatic impetus to start your routine. Countless studies have shown the emotional benefits of spending a few minutes a day cuddled up with a furry buddy.
Spending an hour a day outdoors will liven your mind, give your body some exercise, and provide you with organic stimuli and vitamin D. Walk through the woods, read by a stream, romp through a meadow, or listen to birdsong. We are small beings on a large planet. Spending time in nature can give you new perspectives, make you feel inspired to create, and help you ease through negative emotions.
This is a great chance to get really into something that fascinates you. Take up birdwatching, watch silent movies, or learn Morse code–whatever inspires you and leaves you feeling like you’ve explored a little bit more of the countless possibilities in the world. Many of these hobbies can be shared with friends or family as well.
Seriously. Limiting your screen time will give you the chance to do something different and expand your horizons. Looking at social media for too long can lead to depression, lethargy, and anxiety. Give your mind a break and communicate with someone one-on-one.
Not only can learning a new skill or trade leave you feeling like you’re using your time productively, it can motivate you to grow as a person and even steer you towards a new career. Follow your heart. From learning to fix cars to playing the dulcimer to juggling to speaking another language, there’s no limit to what you can do if you put your mind to it.
Quarantine or no, the extra time and mental clarity that come with your recovery mean that this is a great time to join a virtual book club, Dungeons & Dragons campaign, or weekly film group. You can even simply organize a regular meeting, over Zoom or in person, to laugh together at the absurdity of the world and enjoy social contact.
People in recovery make for some of the best community organizers, volunteers, and helping hands because they know what it’s like to be in a dark place and how meaningful it can be to get assistance. Participate in mutual aid, lend your efforts to a soup kitchen or shelter, or offer to lend a hand to a friend or neighbor who could use it. Every bit of giving helps in ways you might not even realize.
Recovery doesn’t end at detox. Part of your responsibility as a sober person is to rebuild your life in a challenging, enjoyable way to prevent yourself from paying any mind to lingering cravings. Although how you choose to have fun may seem trivial at first glance, making intentional decisions in these areas can keep your recovery on course. You can use the tools you gained in treatment and the mindset you’ve developed during self-improvement to enrich the rest of your life. At RECO Intensive, we pair you with staff members chosen to fit your personal needs so that you can retain useful resources in staying sober and getting the most out of your new identity long after walking out the door of our treatment center. For more ideas on how to enjoy your life in recovery, have fun in sobriety, and bring the same proactive energy to every aspect of your day-to-day, get in touch with RECO Intensive. Call (561) 464-6533 to learn more.
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