Staying motivated in sobriety can be hard, but it does get easier as time goes on. The goal is to find activities that take your mind off cravings and act as an outlet for any stress, anger, or boredom. Whether you’re more of a physical fitness person or a creative arts person, there are sober activities for everyone.
Get Outside
Getting outside and soaking up the fresh air and sunlight is so good for you in sobriety. Sunlight is known to boost your mood and give you motivation. Whether you’re looking to get into hiking and want to brave a summit or go for a walk around the neighborhood – nature is healing and helps you feel grounded. Feeling the urge to relapse? Get outside and remove yourself from the situation. Interacting with nature is free, easy, and can happen right outside your front door.
Sweat Out Stress
Working out in some form triggers your body to release the same endorphins and serotonin as drug and alcohol use. This allows you to feel the same gratification in sobriety. Working helps you redirect cravings in a productive manner that is also good for your overall health. Physical activity not only conditions your body to resist relapse but betters your wellbeing at the same time.
Art for the Heart
Art can be healing in more ways than one. It is both an outlet for joy and for grief. Whether you’re interested in painting, drawing, digital art, or another medium – art is for everyone. Any intense emotions can be translated into art. Feeling sad? Fearful? Happy? Hopeful? Or a combination of emotions? Put it onto paper and get the thoughts out of your head. Art in sobriety gives you a peaceful outlet for your emotions and feelings – which can even help you communicate with others. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, and art helps you speak your mind in more ways than one.
Find Your Melody
Music heals the mind, body, and soul. Whether you’re inclined to compose music or prefer to listen to music, it has excellent healing properties. Like other creative outlets, music allows you to communicate your thoughts and feelings with yourself and others. Like working out, music releases dopamine and regulates stress, leaving you with a sense of serenity. Music serves as an excellent coping mechanism to stay motivated in sobriety by calming thoughts of cravings and reducing stress that could spark relapse.
Get Involved with Volunteer Work
Giving back to your community gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment during sobriety that can keep you motivated to avoid relapse. For many in recovery, they are not ready to hold a full job but they still want somewhere to be in their routine. Volunteer work allows you to interact and build relationships, while contributing to the greater good for yourself and those in your community. Connect with your local food pantry or soup kitchen to see if they need help. Likewise, many libraries and community centers also accept volunteers from all walks of life.
Find What Speaks to You
Motivation in sobriety is complicated, and some days are better than others. It’s all about finding what interests you and makes your heart soar. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is different, what works for one person may not work for another. If you or someone you know needs extra support in sobriety, connect with the team at Solution Based Treatment. We offer relapse prevention strategies, intensive outpatient treatment, and partial hospitalization programs that are designed to guide you towards sustainable sobriety.
About Solution Based Treatment
Solution Based Treatment is a national leader in detox and rehab programs. We offer inpatient medical detox, substance rehab, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, faith-based recovery, and sober living options. We maintain a 2:1 client to staff ratio to offer the best support possible to our patients within upscale living environments. At Solution Based Treatment, we support better living for brighter futures, all starting with our detox and rehab services. For more information visit our website at solutionbasedtreatment.com or give us a call at (833) 999-1941.