Having Fun in Sobriety

You did it – you took that first step by becoming sober.  But now that drugs and alcohol are out of the picture, you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to ever have fun again without using.  This is a common concern for those in early sobriety, but one that is entirely possible to overcome.

So, if you’re looking to have fun while in recovery, put a couple of these tips to the test and see what they do for you:

Get Active

During physical activity, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins.  These endorphins interact with the receptors in the brain and trigger a positive feeling in the body, known as a “runner’s high.”   This runner’s high can have a profound effect on mental health and can relieve stress and improve memory, as well. Yoga, jogging, hiking – all of these activities can put you in a better frame of mind and help make recovery more enjoyable.

Get Involved

When you attend 12-step meetings or complete a treatment program, you will open yourself to new opportunities to participate in sober activities.  Here, you will meet new people to connect with, as well as learn more about yourself and recovery. Having new, sober friends leads to fun and is a great way to steer clear from temptation.

Try Something New

Now that you’re sober, being open to different experiences helps you find yourself and enjoy life again. Trying something new can also spark creativity and become an outlet for frustration and stress.  So go ahead: try paddle-boarding, take a cooking class or learn how to play an instrument. Now that you’re free from the constraints of drugs and alcohol, the possibilities are endless!

Sleep!

Nothing is going to be fun if you don’t get enough shut eye.  When you sleep, your brain recharges, ensuring that you wake up alert and clear-headed.  Without enough, your energy, attention and memory are all reduced and stress hormones go through the roof.  Thus, people who are having fun in sobriety make sleep a priority, not only because it makes them feel great, but they know how negatively affected they are when they’re sleep deprived.

Give Back

One of the most endearing parts of being in recovery is the happiness you will find in helping others.  It takes the focus off you, which gives you a different perspective on life and helps you appreciate what you do have, rather than what you don’t.  In addition, it’s rewarding to help those in need, and this sense of accomplishment can go far in preventing relapse in the future.

Arise Recovery Center’s outpatient programs not only provide intensive treatment, aftercare and therapy, but they also teach our clients how to have fun in sobriety.  Now, with our Fort Worth drug treatment facility open to the public, we’re able to cater to an underserved market and help even more clients develop new life skills that result in happiness and long-term recovery.  For more information on our new outpatient program in Fort Worth, please contact us at 1-888-DFW-ARISE (1-888-339-2747) or by email at info@AriseRecoveryCenters.com.