Maintaining Sobriety While Making the Most of Your Summer

The summer months offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, time to catch up with friends and the joys of summer vacation. If you are newly sober, however, these activities can sound more stress-inducing than relaxing. After all, how are you supposed to have fun if you can’t even have a drink?

The answer is, actually, a lot of ways!

By taking the time to be creative and explorative, you’ll be able to make the most of your summer without ever needing a drink to enhance the time.

Fun sober activities

Taking the time to look around your local area to discover some enjoyable activities you can do with friends and family this summer is as simple as an internet search. But if you’re not even sure what kinds of activities to search, look no further – we’ve compiled a list of sober activities to keep you busy all summer long.

Walking or hiking outdoors

Warm weather provides the perfect opportunity for walking outdoors. Take the time to explore walking trails in your local area by developing a daily walking schedule. This will help to calm your mind and allow you to relax while also improving your physical health.

Hiking is another activity to participate in during warm weather. No matter where you live, there are hiking trails nearby, we guarantee it. A simple internet search of “best hiking trails in my area” will open up a whole list of possibilities. Make a day of it, pack a lunch and get some needed exercise in the great outdoors.

Mini golfing

If you’ve never spent time on a mini golf course, it might be the summer to test it out. Mini golf is a great activity to do on a date, with a friend or with siblings. You don’t have to be skilled at it to enjoy some friendly competition, and the great thing bout mini golf is that it isn’t an activity commonly paired with drinking. Plus, you’re likely to have so much fun on the course that you won’t even be thinking about stresses or temptations.

Swimming

Whether you have a lake, a river, a pool or a beach nearby, an afternoon spent out by the water is always a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Pack your sunscreen, a picnic lunch and a good book and camp out next to the water for some much-needed vitamin D. Plus, something to consider is the benefits of swimming for your health – it offers good exercise, is a calming way to stretch and strengthen your muscles and is relaxing.

Having friends over to cook dinner

A crucial part of addiction recovery is healthy eating, meaning you’ll need to become pretty proficient at meal planning, grocery shopping and meal prepping. While this can be intimidating for some to do alone, there is always the option of inviting over a friend or two to prepare and share a meal with. Cooking for company can be intimidating, but when you’re all cooking together, the stress fizzles out and relaxation takes its place.

Suggesting a game night

Whether you and your friends seek out a local trivia night or someone hosts a game night at their place, it’s a great way to fill an evening with healthy fun, meet new people and engage in some friendly competition. There are so many game options, from cards to board games to unique games like escape rooms (available in board game form, too!). Not only do game nights offer some much-needed community for those in recovery, but they also provide a time to step away from obligations and focus on an enjoyable task instead.

Volunteering

Volunteering is another safe way to spend your time this summer. There are many organizations such as local animal shelters, human service groups and nonprofit organizations that seek volunteers to help with their events. Volunteering with one of these organizations is an excellent way to give back to your local community or favorite cause while becoming involved. Volunteering also provides the opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals and meet a new group of friends to spend time with.

Exploring locally

Your local area likely offers a lot of unique opportunities where you can support local businesses as well as get more involved in the area. You could consider touring all the local coffee shops during the summer weeks; maybe there are a few farmer’s markets where you can shop for fresh produce; local greenhouses offer wide assortments of plants with which to decorate your home. When it comes to what is offered in your area, the possibilities can be endless!

Additional sobriety support?

While there is so much you can do on your own to maintain sobriety and benefit your mental health, when it comes to recovery, we know a little extra support can go a long way. If you need to talk with someone or think you’d benefit from joining a support group, reach out to High Focus Centers today.

Learn more about our programs and mental health services by contacting us today.