Sober Activities For Fun New Experiences
For those in recovery, finding fun sober activities might appear difficult at first. For many that struggle with alcoholism or drug use, social activities included these substances. Now that you’re abstaining from them, what are some ideas to entertain yourself in recovery?
Why Having Fun is Beneficial to Recovery
Did you know that, for many people, boredom can influence relapsing in recovery? When you are experiencing long, idle periods of time, it can be stressful and difficult to manage.
Instead of thinking of free time as a burden, think of it as a gift. You can use these spare hours to engage in new activities and try new experiences in your sober life.
Sober Activities to Try
Start a Fitness Routine
Fitness can provide you with rewarding endorphins after a workout session, goals to pursue, and a sense of accomplishment as you see the results of your efforts. With classes, events, and the opportunity to make new friends, there are also endless opportunities to socialize with others who share your passion.
Want to exercise with other sober people? National organizations like The Phoenix provide in-person and virtual workout events for people who are living a sober lifestyle. Their programs are free and they only require 48 hours of sobriety to join.
Play Recreational Sports
Playing sports is another great way to stay active while having fun with others. No matter which sport you’re interested in playing, your local community center can offer plenty of scheduled pickup games and recreational leagues for people of all ages and skill levels.
Learn an Instrument
Have you always loved music and wanted to play an instrument? Like fitness, learning an instrument can help you set goals and see your accomplishments as you improve your playing abilities with time.
If you do not want to pay for in-person lessons, you can check out plenty of free online resources. Countless videos on websites like YouTube feature content where expert musicians can show you how to play your favorite songs.
Learn a New Professional Skill
Do you have a “dream job” that you’ve always wanted to pursue? Maybe you’re looking to advance at your current company? As with learning an instrument, there are online resources for just about any professional skill that you can think of. As you teach yourself your new skill, you can build usable experience by engaging in practice assignments the course provides you.
Learn to Cook New Dishes
Cooking is one of the most satisfying sober activities. As you learn new recipes and bring them to life, you can enjoy them immediately after. You can also find plenty of healthy and delicious recipes for free and share your creations with your friends and family members.
Start a Writing Project
Everyone has a unique story to tell. Whether fiction or nonfiction, you might want to write one of your own. In addition to countless free writing courses online, you can also use computers like the ones at your local library and free word processing software like Google Docs to get started.
Dabble in Fine Art
Activities like painting or sculpture allow you to express yourself fully with no limits. Popular chain art stores like Michaels also offer in-person and online art classes for anyone looking for a guided creative session.
Dive Into a New Book or Video Series
Want to take a break from the norm and explore a new world altogether? Try a new book or television series. Streaming apps and eBook readers can offer a more affordable cost-of-entry than a traditional cable subscription or physical book purchase and provide hours of great content to engage with. Apps like Amazon’s Comixology also offer a more affordable way to start reading visual stories like comic books and graphic novels.
Volunteer with a Local Organization
Sometimes, the greatest sense of fulfillment comes from helping others in your community. Find a local service organization that aligns with your interests and values and contact them about volunteering opportunities. Many of these groups that rely heavily on donations will appreciate and welcome your willingness to help.
Explore New Places
Some people in recovery can feel tempted to relapse when visiting old neighborhoods and locations where they used to engage in substance abuse. If you are looking to get out of the house, research some new places that you might want to visit like hiking trails, museums, restaurants, or stores in your area and plan a day trip!
Support Your Sober Activities with Compassionate Care
At Compassion Behavioral Health, we are passionate about supporting our neighbors in South Florida in their efforts to enjoy a more fulfilling life in sobriety. If you are struggling with substance use or need support during your recovery, please call us anytime at (844) 999-0874 or reach out to the SAMSHA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357.
