August 11,2020 – Activities to do to stay sober
For most people, their social lives revolve around alcohol – dinner with friends, family parties, drinks after work with our colleagues. Alcohol is all around us, directing our next move.
But what happens when we get sober? What happens when we decide not to drink anymore and completely remove alcohol from our lives? Although we physically recover, our mental state may become imbalanced due to the sudden loss of activity and sudden gain of unaccounted time.
Planning activities to fill empty gaps can help fill time, prevent potential relapse and provide ways to keep us occupied, engaged and energized.
But what are some of alcohol -free activities? Here are three ideas for alcohol-free fun:
- Hiking! Hikes offer an opportunity to fill our senses with the sights and smells of nature and to venture off to places we’ve never been before. Hikes allow us to explore our surroundings and to refresh our soul. In this time of social media, Covid and endless digital noise, a walk in the woods or up a famous trail, like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area or the Appalachian Trail will bring a certain calm to our racing minds, and take us to a place far from the realities of our day-to-day. Energizing indeed!
- Take up a hobby! How about painting? Massage? Cooking? Finding a hobby you enjoy can help keep your mind occupied, your hands busy and your urges at bay. Luckily, craft stores like Michaels are currently open and a little trip to the retailer is certain to spur on a whole new world of imagination. Dream on!
- Tour local towns, discover history and find the town’s best ice cream shop! Grab a friend and tour your town! Contact your local historical society to find places of interest in your town. Discover past people of influence, US patents and take a tour of the local museum. Then, get in your car and drive to surrounding towns and repeat. Pretty soon you’ll be an expert and people will be asking YOU where to go and what to do! You’ll be amazed at how engaging and energizing these visits can be, especially if you bring a friend! But after each visit, make sure to find the local ice cream store and keep a list of your favorites – so you can come back for more!
If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol or drug misuse, perhaps we can help. Water Gap Wellness is Pennsylvania’s premier Substance Use and Mental Health Disorder treatment facility. We have an on-site psychiatrist daily, trauma-trained counselors, two private sessions weekly and group sessions daily. Additionally, we have outdoor recreation therapy, led by a NOLs-certified guide.
Call today to speak with one of our admissions counselors: (833) 949-4673
written by Annette Kaiser
