Activities That Can Encourage Recovery Progress

When we’re in recovery, we can often feel tempted to use the substances we’re trying to leave behind. One way to address this temptation is to keep ourselves busy during the recovery progress. So how do we do this? It can be hard to imagine many enjoyable activities that don’t involve substances or alcohol.

However, it is vital to engage in enjoyable activities that are good for our mental and physical health. Studies reviewed in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine show numerous health benefits we can gain from participating in healthy activities.

How Can Positive Activities Facilitate Progress in Recovery?

When we’re in recovery, our daily activities should be enjoyable and keep our minds off of unproductive habits. The costs of indulging in negative behaviors can be great. However, just as there can be lasting adverse effects from activities like smoking, drinking, and substance abuse, there are lasting benefits from healthy behaviors.

Healthy habits and activities can include eating healthfully, getting good sleep, and caring for our hygiene. If we define positive activities as boring, then that mindset will be counterproductive to our goals. We must redefine what’s exciting. We need to start feeling energized by positive, health-promoting activities such as exercise, meditation, self-care, and eating nutritious and delicious foods.

We should avoid leaning on the opinions of the people we used to hang out with, as they might see our lifestyle changes as uninteresting. Nevertheless, we must hold strong in our commitment to health and do what is good for us and beneficial for our recovery. It might be helpful to begin socializing with others who are also focused on recovery.

What Are Ecotherapy Activities?

Ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy, is the practice of being in nature to gain physical and mental healing. Ecotherapy consists of activities that are done in outside environments. Ecotherapy can include taking a walk or running near a park or other grassy area, gardening, becoming involved in farming or environmental management, and bonding with a dog or another animal outdoors. Even doing art outdoors, such as painting, photography, or writing, can qualify as ecotherapy. Practicing mindfulness while outdoors is also a beneficial ecotherapy activity.

Nature can be quite soothing and provide the calm that many of us need when in recovery. We are usually free from work demands or other responsibilities when we’re out in nature. This allows us to focus on ourselves. We may even discover a connection with something greater, which can positively affect health. 

How Does Ecotherapy Help With Recovery?

Spending time in nature allows us to open our minds and alter our outlook on life. We can find healing by breathing fresh air, noticing the beauty around us, and interacting with plants, landscapes, and animals. This can help decrease stress and worry.

Ecotherapy gives us a break from the daily scenery and gives us a chance to hit the reset button. We all need to take deep breaths at times and engage in activities that can induce positive emotions. When we do this, it can make a difference in the success of our recovery.

Ecotherapy activities foster coping mechanisms we can use in a variety of situations. We can function optimally when we improve at de-stressing and tuning into ourselves.

Exercise and Other Activities Can Assist With Recovery

Exercise is an important activity to engage in during recovery. That’s because physical activity can restore natural levels of endorphins in our bodies. These chemicals can help us feel better and can help regulate our overall well-being in healthy, natural ways. 

We may choose activities like swimming, playing sports, or hiking, depending on our interests. Even if we’ve never done these things, we must stay open-minded and maintain a positive attitude. We should not assume that new activities will be awkward or boring. We must consider how these new opportunities could positively affect our lives if we took the time to adjust to them. If we give these new activities a chance, we can enjoy ourselves, experience a mood boost, and possibly bond with others.

When we discover new routines through healthy activities, we may realize we no longer need drugs or alcohol to have fun. Eventually, the cravings will fade, and we can see that we have achieved a new way of living. The exciting part about this is that we also have fun while doing these activities. We may also experience measurable positive health effects. If we stick with these activities, they may help us sustain long-term success in our recovery.

Healthy Activities Help Us Feel Better

To remain sober, we must continue practicing self-care and engage in healthy activities for our overall well-being. As we do so, we experience decreased stress, improved mood, greater enjoyment, and a better mental outlook. Those positive states can make maintaining sobriety so much easier. 

At Brazos Recovery, we offer a variety of physical activities for everyone to enjoy. We have a new gym, a pool, and a volleyball court. We arrange weekly outings, which foster relaxation and fun. There is hope for new beginnings in recovery. If you have struggled with addiction, please be encouraged. You can become involved in activities that increase your health and happiness and allow you to thrive.