How to Have Fun in Recovery
Whether you’ve already quit drugs, or you’re getting ready to go to rehab, you may be asking yourself “how will I ever have fun again?” For many people early in recovery, having fun is a bewildering idea and one which, if not addressed, can cause a lot of fear or anxiety. After all, from the time we are young, we are told to “go out and have fun”. If drinking or using was the main way you socialized or unwound, this can pose a real dilemma once you’ve found sobriety. You might also find our guide to happiness in recovery helpful.
Luckily, you do not have to settle for a boring, dull life. The truth is that being sober can open up so many new possibilities which are fun, exciting and rewarding. If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know where to begin to have fun in recovery, we’ll give you a few healthy ideas. All you need is a desire to enjoy a sober life and everything that it has to offer.
1. Think About What You’ve Always Wanted to Do
Surely you’ve said at one point or another “I’ve always wanted to do _____.” Now that you are in recovery, try to make a list of all these things. Don’t worry about whether or not it’s practical at the time. If you have always wanted to sky dive, add it to the list. Whatever it is, write it down and then review each thing. Try to rank them from 1-5; one being the most attainable and five being something you will have to work for. Now that you have this list, it’s time to start crossing each fun activity out!
2. Save Up
An addiction is expensive; each month a person struggling with substance use can spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to fulfill their needs. Now that you are sober, you may find some fun in recovery by saving money. Although your bills and necessary expenditures should come first, try setting a realistic amount you would like to save from every paycheck – even if it’s $10. Put this in a bank account and don’t touch it. Consider this money your reward for getting sober and use it for something you’ve always wanted to do. You deserve it.
3. Travel More
Most people like to travel. Seeing new places, meeting new people and experiencing life in a different area is exciting. Just the thought of not knowing what to expect can be invigorating. Traveling has become a go-to activity for people in recovery, as well as individuals and families who need a break from the stress of work or home life. It’s an opportunity to get away, refresh and restore the body and mind.
Granted, during the first few months of recovery it’s a good idea to stay close to home, since routine and support matter most during this period. When you do feel ready, take time to travel. Even if it is 30 minutes up the road or for only two days; make an effort to do something fun for yourself. The outdoors is full of endless possibilities without drugs or alcohol. Try camping, skiing, hiking, swimming, scuba diving. Whether you’re in a city or rural area, there is sure to be something nearby which allows you to let go and have fun in recovery.
If you’re going somewhere far, the anticipation of planning your travel will be exciting in itself. Read about the local customs, the things to do and places you want to go. Don’t forget to keep a journal of this new adventure which you can reflect upon at a later date.
4. Relax, Unwind and Laugh
Laughing is one of the best forms of self-directed stress relief available. If you’re having one of those days in which everything seems to be going wrong, take a step back and look at the situation. In fact, find amusement and learn how to laugh at what life has brought you in that moment. If you can laugh at yourself or a situation, you will start to see the endless possibilities for laughter in your own life. Next time you’re rushing to work wearing the wrong colors because you were in such a hurry, take a minute and just laugh it off. Plus, laughing is completely free.
If you don’t find the laughter coming too easily, you can coax it out. Comedy shows, movies, or short films are an easy starting point for building this back into a routine.
For a night out, look for a sober comedy or social event in your area. These are increasingly common in larger cities and specialize in alcohol-free evenings, meaning everyone there will be in a similar circumstance, which makes for some great fun in recovery.
5. Find a Hobby
If you’ve gone to rehab, you may have been encouraged to find a new hobby to help you have fun in recovery. As cliché as it may sound, it’s true. Don’t feel as if a hobby must be something like building model airplanes. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Rather a hobby can be things like basketball, golf, card collecting, chess playing, hiking, painting or fishing to name a few. Anything that you enjoy doing can be a hobby. Remember, you may need to search far and wide to find something you like to do on a regular basis; rest assured you will discover a hobby just right for you.
6. Get Active
Not only can you have fun in recovery by getting active, but you can also get into shape and feel good. Contrary to what you may think, you don’t have to go to the gym to get active – this environment is not for everyone.
There are many alternative ways to work out and include martial arts, vinyasa yoga, rock climbing, hula hooping, dance-based fitness, archery, abseiling, kite boarding and surfing. Some of these activities are free and others will require you to have minimal equipment. If you don’t know what these are, do some research on the internet. Remember, you don’t have to be super strong or in tip top shape to get involved. Everyone has to start somewhere so let go of any fear or judgments and start doing; it’s fun!
Learning to Have Fun at Siam Rehab
Siam Rehab is a residential treatment program in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The program combines individual and group therapy with physical activity and, where clinically appropriate, supervised excursions off-site, giving clients a chance to relax, feel good, and rebuild a sense of enjoyment without substances. On-site, clients have access to a volleyball court, a gym, boxing training, and a swimming pool. Off-site, supervised trips can include hiking or trekking in the surrounding countryside, nature excursions, visits into town, and temple visits.
Off-site excursions are offered where behaviorally appropriate for the client, as part of the treatment plan rather than as a standard, unconditional feature of the program. Staff emphasize the importance of learning to have fun in recovery; where this remains a challenge, it is addressed directly in therapy, counseling, or group sessions.
If you would like to know more about Siam Rehab’s residential treatment program in Thailand, contact us online.
