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Addiction can fill an emptiness inside of us, providing a false sense of purpose and happiness. But once we’re free from our addiction, we can be left feeling lost and purposeless. So how do we fill that void? While there is no easy answer, finding creative and healthy activities to occupy our time can help us find meaning again. Sobriety doesn’t have to be synonymous with boredom or emptiness; there are plenty of ways to find fulfillment without drugs or alcohol. Check out these ideas for getting started on your sobriety journey today.
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Get it running
If you have assigned yourself sobriety goals, then engaging yourself in physical activity such as sports can be a great way to get started. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that help to improve mood, reduce stress, and relieve anxiety. Previously, you were relying on a harmful drug to release these happy brain chemicals but sports or physical activity provide a much healthier, more rewarding, and less addicting alternative. This is especially necessary for the recovering alcohol addicts since the feel good hormones are specifically low in the early days of sobreity.
Exercising doesn’t have to mean hitting up the gym every day; it can simply be taking a walk, going for a swim, or hiking on a nearby trail. Not only is exercise good for your physical health, but it’s also beneficial to mental and emotional well-being as well.
Community Service
Volunteering provides many benefits that can help you along the road to recovery. Giving back to others helps you focus on something other than yourself, which can be a significant benefit if you are trying to overcome an addiction.
Volunteering is another great way to find purpose and get connected with others in your community. It can also help you develop new skills, gain experience, and make important connections. Moreover, it is a great way to meet people who share the same interests as you and can offer support on your sobriety journey.
Hanging Out With Friends and Family
Spending time with friends and family helps to combat the feeling of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies addiction. Loneliness can be a major trigger for relapse, so it is important to have healthy activities and relationships to fall back on.
Friends and family can provide support emotionally, mentally, and physically. They can also offer distraction from negative thoughts or cravings. So make sure you spend quality time with your loved ones.
Creating Art
Engaging in creative activities can be an extremely helpful way to deal with negative emotions that might surface during the withdrawal phase. Creative activities can help to express difficult thoughts or memories in a safe and healthy way. They can also provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
You can explore different mediums, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. When creating art, you are able to tap into your inner creativity and provide a safe outlet for suppressed emotions.
Gardening
Gardening or growing plants is an amazing way to stay busy and creative. It can help you relax, boost your mood, and make you feel connected with nature. Connecting with nature can provide a sense of peace and calmness that can help you overcome the anxiety or uneasiness caused by the drug withdrawal.
Furthermore, seeing and experiencing the results of your hard work and efforts provide you a sense of accomplishment that may boost your self-esteem.
You can create a small garden at home or grow plants in pots if you don’t have access to open land. You can start by growing vegetables and fruits, or you can also grow flowers if you prefer. Gardening is an inexpensive hobby that can help soothe your mind and keep you busy in a positive way.
Cooking
Whatever you put inside your body highly affects your brain functioning and well-being. Therefore, it is important to nourish your body and mind with organic, nutritious, and home-cooked food. Cooking your own meals not only improves your health, but it also aids in the healing process and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
Make sure you eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated, so your body stays strong and healthy without alcohol or drugs.
Learning to Play a New Instrument
Music is a universal language. It can be used to motivate, inspire and heal, so learning to play an instrument is another creative hobby to adopt during your recovery from drug addiction. There are many benefits to learning an instrument, including the ability to express yourself in a positive way.
In addition, music has been found to activate the same pathways in the brain as drugs. Music can trigger feelings of pleasure linked to addiction and has shown to reduce cravings in people recovering from drug or alcohol abuse. This might be another reason why music and art are so beneficial for people with substance use disorders as they work to establish a new routine free from substance use.
But these are not the only healthy activities you can engage in while trying to be sober. You could also try writing in a journal, blogging about your experience, or even starting a podcast. There are many different creative outlets to choose from and there is something for everyone!
