Sometimes our lives can feel as though they revolve around just a few tasks that we repeat over and over again. Get up, go to work, come home from work, have something to eat, watch some TV, go to bed—and then do it again the next day.
In some ways, routines can be good—especially for those who are in recovery from a substance use disorder. For example, when you are in recovery, it is important to regularly attend 12-Step or other recovery program meetings. It is important to eat well, sleep well, and exercise regularly. And it is important to develop routines around stress relief, like regularly grabbing coffee with a friend or practicing mindfulness or spending some time reading a book you enjoy before bed.
These sorts of routines firm up the foundations of your recovery, and their importance should not be underestimated.
But sometimes you can support your ongoing recovery by diving into something new. Let’s consider a few examples and the ways in which they might build up your recovery efforts.
Take Up Music Making
Maybe you played in the band or the orchestra or sang in the choir back in your school days. Lots of people are involved in music in middle school and high school—but the majority tend to give it up as they get older. After all, during your standard workday, there is seldom a specific period set aside for everyone to get together and play music together like there was in your school schedule.
But even if you have not been involved in music making for a long time (or were never involved with music), taking it up as an adult can be both satisfying and helpful for your recovery. Whether you dust off an old instrument or try something entirely new to you, making music can be deeply satisfying.
That is true whether you manage to put together a garage band, play an instrument on your own, or find a local choir to join. If you set modest but steady goals for yourself (and remember that you are not necessarily trying to be a star or a virtuoso), you can enjoy learning and making progress. Sure, you will likely play or sing the wrong note from time to time, but if you can balance a commitment to practice with a commitment not to put too much pressure on yourself, you might find that you have developed a new hobby that always offers something new to try. And staying engaged in the process is a great way to shore up your recovery.
Learn More About Something You Find Fascinating
Are you interested in the lives and works of famous painters and other artists? Do you wish you knew more about early American history? Are you interested in scientific discoveries and the often wild stories that surround them? Do you find yourself wondering about the history of rock music?
No matter what you are curious about, there are plenty of resources that can satisfy that curiosity. Learning about something that interests you can be fun and engrossing—and each time you learn something about your favorite subject, you are likely to discover additional avenues and ideas for exploration.
Letting your brain engage with topics that truly excite you will give you the chance to set your day-to-day stressors aside for a bit. So pick a topic and dive in. You will learn fascinating things while supporting your recovery.
Try Something a Friend or Family Member Enjoys
Maybe you have a friend who is really into baseball, but you have never paid any attention to the sport. Maybe a family member loves to cook, but you have become more of a takeout person. Maybe a group of your friends gets together for a weekly game night, but you have always thought it would take too long to learn to play the game they love.
Maybe it is time to reconsider your connections to your loved ones and the things they love. Participating in someone else’s leisure time activities can strengthen your support network—and you might just find that you really enjoy their hobbies, too. So head out to the ballpark or get in the kitchen or pull up a chair on game night and enjoy time with friends who support you and your recovery.
First Things First: Let’s Get Your Recovery Underway
Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—has been named one of the best substance use disorder treatment centers in the nation for each of the last two years. That means you can count on us to provide evidence-based treatment drawn from our high levels of expertise, our years of experience, and our spirit of empathy. We can help you leave drugs and alcohol behind while also addressing any co-occurring mental health disorders that may be entangled with a substance use disorder.
When you are ready to make a transformative change for the better, we are ready to help.