Due to the pandemic, staying at home is very important. But for those who are recently sober, daily alone time can become problematic. That’s why most days should be filled with sober activities.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these activities and what they exactly entail.
The first quarantine restrictions seem to be subsiding. We can leave our homes, restaurants have been reopening, and in some areas, schools are making plans to incorporate in-class instruction, either part-time or full-time.
Trying to return to a “normal” way of life may lead to another crisis. We don’t know what is to come regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.
One way to avoid worrying about a future quarantine is to be prepared. Sometimes, we fear something because we don’t understand it and because we are not ready for it when it happens.
Both of these are also reasons we relapse after starting addiction recovery. As we learned from many reports, quarantines can be difficult for those trying to stay sober.
Below, we provide you with sober activities to do during quarantine so you can worry less and avoid a relapse.
1. Skype, Zoom and Facetime
Use the online video resources available to stay in communication with your friends and family. You can also use these resources to attend online recovery support groups and online counseling on the days you feel more support is needed.
2. Learn Something New
There are many ways to learn a new skill or simply gain knowledge about a topic that interests you. If you want to pursue an education, you can enroll in an online institution.
If you’re going to learn a new hobby, there are multiple websites with instructions. Today you can find ebooks, ezines, e-courses, and YouTube videos on just about any topic. If there is not a course, maybe you should create one.
3. Teach Something
You have the knowledge to share information that can help someone else. If you are in recovery, then you have experience on how to get sober. If you have been trained in specific trades, you can teach others what you know. There are multiple platforms from which you can teach. YouTube videos, Facebook Live, and more structured educational settings like Udemy can provide a little extra income.
4. Get a Job
I know you are thinking it sounds crazy to get a job during quarantine, especially if you already have a job. However, there is nothing wrong with taking on a side job while stuck at home.
If you are in recovery, this helps you stay focused on a positive goal with rewards. If you already have a job, you can use the extra cash. Sell on eBay, Etsy, or apply for one of the thousands of freelance jobs available online.
5. Practice Self-Care
Relapses happen when we stop putting our sobriety needs first. In quarantine, it’s easy to think that since you won’t be seeing anyone, you can let yourself go. Avoid this line of thinking because it can create a snowball effect and before you know it, you have let your sobriety go also.
Take care of yourself. Keep up with proper sleep and sleep hygiene, make sure you eat healthily, exercise, and practice relaxation techniques like meditation or prayer.
6. Plan Each Day
Routines are critical to a successful recovery. To ensure you don’t have a lot of downtimes, which can lead to temptations, fill your daily calendar with a lot of activities. Make sure each hour of your day is scheduled with something to do. Even if you want to take a nap, schedule it into your calendar. If you try to wing it each day with no structure, you leave room for cravings to creep in and put your sobriety in danger.
Too much isolation can be detrimental to sobriety. When you are alone too much, you may find it hard to curb your thoughts of relapsing. On the other hand, spending too much time with those stuck at home with you can cause stress and lead to thoughts of relapsing. That’s why you need a healthy balance of each.
Communicate with your family members about the need to go somewhere and chill when you are feeling stressed. And then engage them with a positive activity when you need a distraction.
8. Distract Your Mind
Even when you need to relax and be alone during quarantine, make sure your mind is distracted. You already know how hard it is to avoid thoughts of your favorite substance. The one thing you can do to help is to distract your mind as much as possible. Read, watch, listen, write about positive topics, especially those that encourage you to maintain sobriety.
9. Choose Sober Living
There may be a time when you find that being quarantined at home with your family, or alone, is too difficult. When this happens, know that you don’t have to go through this alone. You can choose to enter or re-enter a sober home.
Sober living is designed to help those in recovery learn how to create a positive lifestyle that does not involve the use of drugs or alcohol. And, you can do this while surrounded by peers who understand entirely what you are going through.
10. Choose Inpatient Treatment
If sober living is not enough to help you make it through quarantine, you may want to enter inpatient treatment until the quarantine is over, or at least until you feel confident enough to step down to a sober home.
It is okay to ask for help, especially during a global pandemic. Asking for help is a sign of strength and determination, showing your desire to stay sober.
11. Have Fun
Staying sober during quarantine does not have to be a miserable experience. Participate in activities that make you laugh. If you watch a movie, watch comedies. If you play video games, play games that make you laugh.
Laughter has many therapeutic benefits, including boosting the brain chemicals that make you feel good. The more you can feel good naturally, the less you will feel the need to use drugs or alcohol to make you feel good.
Final Thought
You are strong enough to get through a quarantine, and anything, without relapsing, especially by implementing the above tips.