Summer is a season of hot weather and outdoor celebrations. There are midsummer bonfires, backyard sports competitions, family get-togethers and street festivals to attend, and alcohol features prominently at many of these occasions.
If this is your first sober summer, you should prepare yourself for the fact that you will enjoy this time of year with a different perspective than you have probably had in the past. That doesn’t mean you have anything less to look forward to; however, you need to prepare yourself to face the challenges, temptations and triggers that may arise. Here are our top tips for protecting your sobriety during the summer, as well as a list of sober summer fun ideas to get you started.
Ways to Protect Your Sobriety This Summer
You don’t have to deny yourself the pleasure of getting out and spending time with friends this summer, but if you are planning to go to parties, you should be mentally ready for how you will respond if you see other people engaging in social behaviors you have put behind you. Here are some suggestions you can use:
- If you accept an invitation to an event where you anticipate you might experience triggers, set yourself a time limit for how long you will stay there. Also, make sure you have a way to get home safely if you decide to leave a gathering early.
- Invite your sponsor or a friend from your sober support group to come with you to get-togethers for additional accountability.
- If you are at a gathering and feel yourself getting overwhelmed, it’s OK to take a break. Walk around the block or call someone who understands what you’re going through.
- Before going to the event, use relaxation tools such as meditation to help balance your emotions and make you more resistant to stress.
Become a Sober Summer Fun Director
In addition to the tips above, one of the best ways to limit your cravings and triggers this summer is to proactively plan or host your own drug- and alcohol-free recreational activities and invite your friends and family to join the fun. Here are some suggestions to get your creativity flowing.
- Go on a scavenger hunt: Round up a group and spend a fun-filled afternoon searching for items in your neighborhood or around town. If you’ve never planned a scavenger hunt before, several phone apps make it easy to do so.
- Spend the night under the stars: Nothing puts things in perspective quite like stargazing. You can either head to a nearby planetarium or observatory, or wait for a warm, clear night and check out some planets and constellations in your backyard. With the combination of a space-watching app and an affordable telescope, you can summon your inner Neil deGrasse Tyson and enjoy marveling at our incredible universe.
- Go to a museum: Not all summer fun has to take place outdoors. Save yourself from the heat and UV rays and head inside to a local museum. Whether you choose to go to an art museum, science museum or one dedicated to housing a specific collection of items, you’re sure to learn something new and soak up some culture at the same time.
- Throw a sober shindig: Take the initiative and host a party. Fun ideas might include a game night, a mini film festival or an ice cream social. The only limit is your imagination. An event like this may even help give some of your friends and family members a new appreciation for how much fun it can be to go to a party with no alcohol or drugs in sight.
Embrace Your Sobriety This Summer
Though committing to a sober lifestyle can bring additional seasonal challenges, you owe it to yourself to stick to your goals and remain dedicated to a positive pathway. By following this advice, you can enjoy your best summer ever.
If you are seeking help for your drug or alcohol problem, you can get the help you need at New Found Life. As a premier treatment facility in Long Beach, CA, we offer lifesaving treatment in a comfortable setting. Contact us today to verify your insurance and begin the admissions process.