Activities to Enjoy in Recovery

When you are going through your recovery journey, you want to ensure you’re doing everything possible to keep your head straight and that sobriety is at the forefront of everything you do. The problem with addiction is that it’s all-consuming, which means that while you want to do other things, your mind may only be on what you shouldn't consume rather than what you should. 

There are some common activities that you can enjoy in recovery that have significant therapeutic value and will stand you in good stead throughout. Some of the activities that you can do while you recover after rehab will help you to connect with yourself and better cope with your feelings. Others provide a welcome and necessary distraction that will ensure you are staying away from relapse and moving into a full, lifelong recovery which you can be proud of. You should always be provided with coping skills to help you manage beyond the treatment center, and therapeutic activities will be there to support you while you try to replace those harmful habits that led you to rehab in the first place. So, what activities can you enjoy in recovery?

Yoga

As we all know, exercise is a must post-rehab so that you can move your body and distract your mind. Yoga is one such activity that you may find keeps you on the straight road toward a sober life, as you will be able to concentrate your mind and learn to move your body in a positive way. Adding positivity to your routine is important, and yoga can help do that!

Guided Meditation

The practice of silencing the mind with guided meditation gives those in recovery the support that they need to focus on their well-being. You can meditate in a variety of ways and you can bet that you’ll be able to ground yourself and learn about how your body feels in the moment, proving that you can create a safe space within yourself. Guided meditation with the use of a person to guide or an audio tape can help.

Painting

An amazing way to quiet and focus while you concentrate on your recovery is painting. It’s a therapeutic activity and it gives you a chance to focus on something other than cravings. Any of the activities out there that allow you to be creative are beneficial ones to look to while you recover.

Music Therapy

We all know what an escape music can be and it’s no different for those going through the process of gaining sobriety. Music has the power to change your mood, enhance your mood, and improve the way you look at your life. It’s a fantastic resource for those in recovery and music can be motivational and help you to feel emotionally supported.

Journaling

Writing can be very calming and journaling allows you to detail your feelings by writing down everything that you are feeling. Being able to have an outlet in which to pour your innermost thoughts can be helpful throughout the recovery process and beyond. You can even go back and read your previous journal entries to see how far you’ve come.

Head into Nature

Going for a walk is a surefire way to clear the mind. Heading into nature is a great place where you can practice more mindful behavior and feel calmer. Nature allows you to breathe better and feel like you are getting somewhere when life seems so demanding. Try going for a walk a couple of times a day and enjoy every moment of how it makes you feel. Take note of the colors you see and the clouds you notice. Cloud shapes may be a wonderful distraction and can take your mind back to your childhood.

Cook

Creating something from a bunch of ingredients can be very therapeutic. Cooking allows you to express yourself and gives you a chance to include sensory details that encourage you to feel more mindful. It’s a rewarding and exciting process, as you will gain the rewards of an amazing meal in the end.

Coloring

Coloring books and puzzle books are amazing therapies that help soothe the mind and enable you to focus on something more simple. In recovery, you can often deal with a huge range of emotions with the help of choosing colors and giving your mind something to focus on.

Knitting

Having something to do with your hands is a key part of recovering after being in rehab. You can keep your hands busy by creating something just using wool or string. Knitting can also work to strengthen your sensory-motor function, helping you to focus on what you’re doing with the use of repetition.

Swimming

Being able to pull yourself through water is exciting, but you’ll find that the best thing that you can do is evening swim. Going to the swimming center when it’s quiet and you can just feel the water and focus is even better for your recovery. You will do so much better with recovering and finding sobriety when you have something to hold onto. Swimming makes you stronger, and you will also be able to enjoy the positive benefits of the fitness that comes with it.

These are just a few ideas to aid in your recovery. Once you set out to seek treatment, you become part of an ongoing recovery process that includes activities that you should do beyond your rehab. One of the biggest things to consider during recovery is not slipping back into the habits that you had in the first place. With the right rehab center, you can find ongoing aftercare support and resources that enable you to enjoy recovery and know that you are heading toward a brighter future. At Jackson House Recovery Centers, our goal is to help you find the right care. You will receive a specific care plan that puts you on the right path toward your recovery. Finding a center that’s committed to providing you with the aftercare you really need - even when you have left the program is vital to your success!