As you work toward sobriety and come out on the other side of alcohol withdrawal, you may find that your health drastically improves. However, there’s still a myth that life in sobriety isn’t as fun. The reality is that life’s opportunities for enjoyment and fulfillment are virtually unlimited. These tips showcase some of the many ways that you can enjoy life as a recovering alcoholic.
Enjoying the Great Outdoors
One of the things you can really start to enjoy when you’re in recovery is the beauty of the great outdoors. When struggling with alcoholism, you may not have had the desire to appreciate nature, but sobriety can open your eyes to its appeal.
You might spend a morning watching the sunrise from your patio, sipping a hot cup of coffee and thinking about the day ahead. Savor a sunset as you meditate in a beautiful setting. Stroll through wooded forests or hike along the beach. The world is full of exceptionally beautiful places, and sobriety can give you the energy and desire to see them all.
Nurturing Meaningful Relationships
Addiction can distract from the most important things in life, such as relationships. It can cause people to lie to their friends, steal from their parents and avoid their siblings. Now that you’re sober, it’s time to rekindle those relationships. Personal connection and meaningful ties are a few of the things that make life so special.
Make an effort to reach out to loved ones and find fun activities to enjoy together. It could be as simple as going for a morning walk, talking on the phone one evening each week or planning a weekend getaway together. Explore your common interests and strengthen the bonds that mean so much.
Developing New Hobbies
Boredom is something that most recovering alcoholics want to avoid as much as possible. One way to avoid boredom is by developing new hobbies. Many people find that they develop new passions, and spending time pursuing these passions can be very enjoyable.
If you’ve always wanted to cook better, you might take a baking course or work your way through a famous cooking book. You can pick up a new musical instrument or might even join a jam band. Maybe your interests lie in artistic avenues, whether that’s sketching or painting. You could even try out new crafts like carpentry or 3D printing.
Physical Activity is Key for a Recovering Alcoholic
To boost endorphins, beat boredom, improve overall health and increase self-esteem, you’ll want to include some form of physical activity in your life. At Crestview Recovery, we encourage clients to develop new physical hobbies. These activities can set the tone for lifelong physical passions and habits. Some opportunities you’ll have at Crestview Recovery include the following:
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- White water rafting
- Hiking
- Yoga
Being a recovering alcoholic doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun life has to offer. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, you’ll realize that recovery is far from boring. Call 866.262.0531 to begin your life of health, happiness and sobriety.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
