As soon as that Thanksgiving turkey is carved, most people start thinking about the wonder and joy of the winter holidays. This season is filled to the brim with quality time spent with family and friends, eating way too much and being thankful for what you have in life. If you’re new to recovery, you can be thankful for a life free from substance addiction. This holiday season is a time to celebrate your hard-earned sobriety by taking part in recovery-friendly activities.
The holidays don’t have to be about toasting champagne, spiked eggnog or drunken Christmas parties. There are tons of exciting activities that will get you into the holiday spirit without placing you in the vicinity of something that might put your sobriety at risk.
With that in mind, consider these five fun-filled, recovery-friendly activities that you and your loved ones can enjoy together during the holiday season. These holly jolly pastimes prove that you can have fun and still stay focused on your recovery.
1. View the Twinkling Lights
The custom of filling the night with shimmering lights at Christmastime goes back hundreds of years. Some neighborhoods go all out, with homeowners dressing their houses in thousands of colorful lights, inflatable characters and all-around good cheer. Other communities host incredible light displays where you can walk or drive your car through an awe-inspiring celebration of the season. Plan to visit one of these locales for an evening you and yours won’t forget.
2. See a Holiday Stage Show
Whether it’s a staging of A Christmas Carol or the city orchestra performing the Nutcracker Suite, seeing a Christmas show is the perfect way to get into the spirit of the holidays. For two hours or more, your addiction will be the last thing on your mind.
3. Bake (or Just Eat) Holiday Cookies
Nothing says “holiday” quite like a plate of warm Christmas cookies, so grab your cookie cutters and an array of frostings and decorations, and invite your nearest and dearest for an evening of baking and decorating. You can make your own cookie dough or buy some premade from the grocery store. The most important part is building memories and traditions with those you love that help you during your recovery process. And once they’re out of the oven, homemade cookies make thoughtful gifts for coworkers and neighbors.
4. Try Some Active Winter Pastimes
Chilly, snowy days are the perfect time to take part in some winter-exclusive activities. From the ice rink to a nearby snowy hill, winter sports are a fun and active way to enjoy your holiday vacation. With a bit of hot cocoa on standby, here are some incredible sober-holidays-friendly, wintry pastimes that you and your family will love:
- Sledding
- Ice skating
- Making snow angels
- Building a snowman
- Skiing and/or snowboarding
- Ice fishing
5. Take Part in a Game Night
If the weather outside is frightful, you can still have fun indoors. Gather your loved ones together for a night of great food and fun games. Crack out your childhood favorites, like Monopoly and Risk. Or, invest in a few new options — hilarious games are just a short Google search away. Start your night off with a yummy meal, or eat while you play. Creating new holiday traditions can be one of the best parts of your sobriety.
End Addiction This Holiday Season With Effective Addiction Recovery Treatment
If you struggle with opioid addiction, let this be the year you finally find relief and new life in recovery. AppleGate Recovery offers a combination of medication-assisted treatment and compassionate health care. Our flexible scheduling and high level of confidentiality can give you confidence as you take your first steps toward sobriety. Contact us today to learn more.