Summer Hobbies to Help You Stay Sober

Summer is a great time to start a new hobby.  Many people in recovery find that they have much more free time after they stop using drugs or alcohol. Creating a new lifestyle and actively changing your habits often helps you stay on the path to recovery.

If you’re not sure about your interests, don’t worry. Recovery is more about development and learning more about yourself, which means this is the perfect time to try new things and discover what you like. Learning how to preoccupy yourself is an important part of recovery, which is why we encourage patients to develop new interests during their stay Adcare treatment Center. We also help you find a sustainable hobby to pursue after completing a treatment program. Read through our list of healthy hobbies that you can add to your daily routine.

How Do Hobbies Help You?

Hobbies help people in recovery because they often trigger endorphins that produce the same good feelings as certain substances and alcohol. However, hobbies are a much healthier way to release these endorphins. Boredom can sometimes increase your cravings, which is why staying busy is so important.

Some hobbies may help you gain more meaning in life and help you connect with others with similar interests. You may also discover a hobby you can use in a new career or job. Sticking with your hobbies may also help you develop a sense of pride and accomplishment by focusing on new challenges. They give you an outlet to freely express yourself and may provide more joy and satisfaction than using alcohol or a substance.

Sober Hobbies in Rhode Island

Running, Hiking, or Going to the Gym

Running, hiking, and similar physical activities are great examples of natural ways to release endorphins and serotonin.  On top of the mental benefits, taking part in physical activity can also improve your physical health. Returning to an active lifestyle can help your bone, joint, cardiovascular, and respiratory health. Exercise also increases peptide production in the brain, which regulates and changes your brain’s chemical pathways. These peptides can reduce cravings.

Physical activity doesn’t always mean running a marathon or becoming a bodybuilder. Rhode Island is home to many scenic walks and trails for beginners. Start small by taking easy routes outside or using a treadmill at the gym. You may combine jogging and walking using intervals. Consider using one or two easy machines at a gym to start, then exploring other options as you gain more experience. You can also listen to music as you exercise. If your physical condition doesn’t allow running, consider taking leisurely walks in a scenic location because this may boost your mood.

Gardening

Being outdoors can produce a calming effect. Working with nature, such as digging in the dirt and pulling up weeds, is a therapeutic hobby because you can develop a deeper connection with your environment. Gardening can also help you build ownership, responsibility, and caretaking skills as you watch your plants grow over time. If you plant an herb or vegetable garden, this can also assist you with saving money on food and developing healthier eating habits. You may even share your produce with friends and family.

To get started, consider getting a few small planter boxes and building a larger garden after you become more comfortable caring for your plants. If you don’t live in an area where there’s much space for a garden, you can use pots to care for various indoor plants. Just make sure you place them near a window with some direct sunlight or buy some plants that tolerate low light.

Learning Music

If you’ve ever dreamed of playing music, this is the perfect opportunity to develop your musical skills. Consider taking music classes or watching free online video tutorials about your preferred instrument. Even if you’re not a music enthusiast or you don’t want to learn how to play an instrument, you can still benefit from music as a tool in recovery. Simply singing and listening to music can give you a creative outlet. Music may also bring opportunities to bond with others with similar interests or expand your social circle by attending live musical performances, such as symphonies and concerts.

Volunteering

Giving back to your community may help you feel more confident and provide a sense of purpose when you help others in need. Volunteering may also help you discover self-love and improve your overall mental health when you contribute to your local community. You may even develop relationships with other volunteers and bond over shared interests. Most communities offer many volunteering opportunities depending on your interests. Consider visiting animal shelters, soup kitchens and food banks, and community organizations.

You can search for open volunteer opportunities near Rhode Island and other cities.

Yoga

Yoga offers both emotional and physical benefits to those who partake in it. You may encounter many emotional challenges during the recovery process, such as experiencing stress and depression. Yoga’s meditative qualities often help you regulate your mood while providing benefits such as increased physical health. The quiet setting provides a relaxing environment. Yoga also places an emphasis on breath control, which may help you control your thoughts and feelings.

Art

Painting, drawing, coloring, and sculpting also provide therapeutic benefits by helping you tune into your feelings and express difficult emotions that you may have trouble putting into words. Art can help you develop new parts of your brain, which also aid in the recovery process. Most people are more creative and artistic than they give themselves credit for, even if they don’t have any previous art experience. Regardless of your experience or if you’ve enjoyed it previously, consider experimenting with your own pieces of art. There’s no “correct” way to do art.

It’s also important to keep up with aftercare programs, such as AA meetings to help maintain your sobriety. Recovery is a lifelong journey and sometimes relapse happens. Relapse is common and it does not mean you failed, but the sooner you get back into treatment the better.

If you are looking for drug rehab in Rhode Island contact our rehab admissions navigators for help .