After you’ve gone to an alcohol rehab program, finding ways to relax without drinking alcohol is essential to the treatment plan. For many, this can be difficult because up until the time they entered rehab, alcohol was an integral part of their everyday life. Now, they have to find ways to unwind without relying on the effects of alcohol. As we look at eight suggestions to help you relax without alcohol, we’re also going to explore how you can benefit from activities at an alcohol rehab treatment center.
After Alcohol Rehab: How to Relax Without Drinking Alcohol
Whether you’re going through an alcohol treatment plan or have completed one and are trying to remain sober, learning to relax without alcohol is vital to your overall recovery. Here are some ways to do it.
1. Exercise
Exercise and any physical activity release endorphins that make us feel good. Find an activity that you enjoy. Whether running, working out, walking, swimming, tennis, etc., get moving and do it often. You’ll find your stress levels decrease as you feel more relaxed. If you can find a friend who has a similar interest, invite them along. Having a buddy can make exercise more fun and leave you more likely to do it.
2. Spend Time with Your Pet
If you want to relax, spend some time with your pet. If you don’t have one, find a friend with a cat or dog. Research shows that playing with and petting animals decreases stress the same way exercise does by reducing the production of stress hormones and increasing the production of stress-reducing hormones. [1]
3. Read a Good Book
Getting lost in a great story is an excellent way to unwind. Unplug from your phone and all other devices as you dive into your book. Light a candle to create an even more relaxing mood as you curl up with a good book.
4. Take a Long Bath
You can also read that book while you’re taking a bath. Draw a warm bath and use bath oils or salts to create a relaxing experience at home. No alcohol is needed, just a quiet space where you can indulge and pamper yourself. Listen to soft music to create a tranquil atmosphere.
5. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake
If you love caffeine, you may want to bring it down a notch to relax. When you consume a lot of caffeine, your stress and anxiety levels increase. You can also experience high blood pressure and heart palpitations. If you notice you’re more jittery and wired when you have too much caffeine, consider reducing your intake. See how you feel. If you notice you’re calmer, you’ll want to lower your caffeine intake regularly.
6. Dance Whether Anyone is Watching or Not!
Music releases dopamine, which is the same feel-good chemical that is present in the brain when we drink alcohol. [2] You’re getting into that same frame of mind by playing music and dancing, minus the alcohol.
7. Hang Out with a Friend
When you’re hanging out with your friends, those feel-good hormones, like serotonin and oxytocin, are being released. There is evidence that oxytocin lowers the stress response and curbs the urge to stress drink. [3] So, instead of turning to a drink to relax, call up a friend and hang out!
8. Explore Creative Hobbies
Whether painting, writing, knitting, or whatever activity you enjoy, finding a creative hobby is a great way to relax. Think about what appeals to you and do it! You may be surprised at the hidden talents that emerge when you let your creativity take charge.
Alcohol Rehab at Silver Sands Recovery
At Silver Sands Recovery, we encourage many of these activities to help our patients relax without drinking alcohol. We offer many sports and team activities as part of our treatment programs. These include basketball, golf, softball, hiking, outdoor, and equine therapy.
Building and being introduced to these activities promotes a healthy living routine that can lead to a lifetime of successful habits. To learn more about our alcohol treatment program at Silver Sands Recovery, call us today or reach out to us online.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408111/
[2] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1811878116
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4045505/
About the author:
Lisa Waknin is the Founder and Director of Silver Sands Recovery, located in Prescott, Arizona. Lisa started Silver Sands Recovery after immersing herself in the addiction treatment world for several years to figure out what could be done differently to help her daughter and others like her to overcome addiction and stay sober. She believes in a hands-on treatment approach, which includes taking someone out of their environment, providing a 90-day program in a structured environment. During treatment, clients not only recover physically but also learn to live their life again. Lisa is a sought-after expert speaker for recovery support groups, charities, schools, communities, and companies wanting to educate themselves on the explosion of opiate and heroin abuse in our country and the best way to understand, treat, and beat it.
