After finishing an addiction recovery treatment, it is important to stay on top of your recovery by engaging in activities that help give you a more natural high. Some activities can leave you feeling high without drugs, and these are good activities to use during the early days of sober living and throughout your life.
These 8 activities are some of the best to try during your recovery journey.
Exercise
Exercising can help your body stimulate hormones that help you feel good. During and after exercise, your brain can release endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals can help provide pain and stress relief.
Along with promoting positive emotions, exercise can also provide positive weight loss benefits, which is another excellent reason to implement exercise into your recovery.
Meditation
The practice of meditation is a great way to add more peace and happiness to your life. You can practice meditation in many different ways, either through movement with yoga, guided classes using videos online or in an app, and even self-guided meditation.
Meditating can help reduce stress and create melatonin, a hormone that helps you regulate your sleep.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatments are another activity linked to stress relief and positive emotion regulation. Getting acupuncture can help you to relax and feel good, which can be a good activity to encourage recovery.
Volunteering
Helping other people can make you feel good. Not only can this help you feel better, but it also positively impacts your community. Volunteering can be great for meeting other people and creating good relationships.
Volunteering is linked to higher self-esteem and happiness levels which can help reduce the risk of relapse. These positive benefits are often long-lasting and can be a great option when you are looking for a way to spend your time during your addiction recovery.
Set up a good sleep schedule
Getting enough sleep and resting when you are feeling stressed or tired is a good way to regulate your body and emotions. Waking up after a full night’s sleep can help you feel good and has been described as a natural high.
If you struggle to sleep at night, try relaxation techniques to help you wind down. Resting does not always have to be sleeping. Even just taking time to relax and unwind after a stressful day can help cause more restful sleep and encourage more positive emotions.
Go outdoors
Being out in nature can be a great way to take a break from the stress of everyday life. Going outside is a great way to change your environment, which can be very good for your mood. Nature is a great place to connect with yourself and encourage positive thoughts.
When you are exploring the great outdoors, you can also exercise through hiking or running which would be a great way to reap even more benefits from the beauty of nature.
Laugh
Laughter is the best medicine is a common phrase for a reason. Laughter helps promote happiness and is not hard to achieve. Telling some jokes, watching a funny video, or reflecting on memories with loved ones are all great ways to induce laughter.
Taking a break from your everyday life and stress to laugh by yourself or with others is an excellent way to add more happiness to your life.
Get a pet
This tip is more time-consuming than some of the others but can be a great way to add more responsibility to your life. Having a pet can provide you with excellent companionship and help you have another reason to stay sober.
Parting shot
Addiction recovery can be challenging, but trying these activities can be a good way to help you stay on the road to recovery.
