Summer is fast approaching and people are getting ready for a few months of freedom and fun. It’s a time for warm days, barbecues, festivals, holidays, beach trips and more. Summertime provides the perfect time to gather with friends and family for socializing, relaxing, and recreation.

For some, though, summer presents some additional challenges. Many of these summertime gatherings involve alcohol. It’s a time where people have a drink or two by the pool or crack open a couple of beers in the backyard. That’s fine for people who can drink normally, but what about people in recovery?

You might feel a bit cautious as you approach this summer, wondering how you can make it through without taking a drink. Whether it’s your first sober summer or your fifteenth, there are plenty of fun summer activities to help during recovery. You don’t have to drink to have a good time; you can find plenty of different activities to keep you going all summer long!

Start With a Clean Slate

Summer offers a great opportunity to start with a clean slate. Go through your entire apartment or house and do a deep clean of your living space. Sort through old clothes and other items to decide which things you can donate. Organize your storage closets or garage. Clean out your pantry and fridge. Cross off some of those home project tasks you’ve put off during the winter months. Starting summer with a clean slate at home is a great way to ensure you’re always coming back to a calm and de-cluttered living environment.

Find a Sober Support Group

Trying to stay sober on your own can be a big challenge sometimes, especially during early sobriety. Finding a sober support group can be a great way to make friends who share the same primary goal as you. There are plenty of groups where people focus on staying sober, whether it’s a 12-step program or another recovery group alternative. You’ll find plenty of people who are also working to stay sober this summer. Within these groups, you’re likely to meet others with the same interests as you. You can find some friends then head out after a meeting and have some fun!

Get Into the Great Outdoors

There’s nothing like getting into the great outdoors and connecting with nature to clear your mind. Take a trip to one of the country’s 63 national parks spread throughout the United States. Head to the nearest ocean, lake, river, desert, or mountain and spend some time outside. At the same time, too many people think getting into the outdoors means you have to take a big trip to the middle of nowhere. You can find plenty of ways to get outside in your hometown! There are likely dozens of hiking trails within driving distance of your home. You can even head to the local park and layout in the grass to get yourself outside!

Host Your Own Get-Together

When in doubt, host a get-together yourself for a fun summer activity in recovery! Hosting a get-together is a great way to ensure the party is a sober one. Invite friends who are in recovery or ask that people leave the booze at home and bring their favorite non-alcoholic beverage instead. For some added fun, turn it into a potluck and have friends cook, bake, or bring their go-to dishes. Play lawn games, card games, or even board games to keep people entertained. You can even turn the get-together into a movie night if you’d like! You’re the host – your rules apply!

Join a Recreational League

Exercise is a fantastic fun summer activity in recovery. Getting your body moving offers a natural mood and energy boost that everyone can benefit from. Find a recreational league in your town or local area to get involved in. There are plenty of softball or soccer leagues you can join! Some places offer pickup games so you can join in on the fun without the commitment. When in doubt, check with your local gym and see whether they have a basketball court where people meet up to play. There are plenty of ways to find some games going on around you to join!

Strengthen Your Green Thumb

In many areas, summertime provides a great climate for you to get your green thumb on. Purchase a few house plants to liven up your space or go all in and start a garden in your yard. Gardening is a good way to relieve stress and focus on something outside yourself. You can select plants that are low maintenance to keep it stress-free. If you’re up for a challenge, select a few that require a bit more attention. You can stick to plants, incorporate some flowers, or even try your hand at growing some fruits or vegetables! Stop by your local garden department and ask for some insight from the plant professionals.

Volunteer Your Time

If you’re looking for a fun summer activity to support your recovery, volunteer your time. Volunteering shifts your focus outward and encourages you to think of others instead of yourself. Look for a cause or foundation that supports something you care about and find out how to get involved. Whether it’s only for a day or two or it’s something you sign up for and commit to long-term, volunteering is never time wasted. It’s always good to give back to the community you live in.

Sign Up For a 5k

Really want to challenge yourself this summer? Sign up for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, or even a full marathon! Communities across the country set up races throughout the summer to get you moving and support various causes. If you’ve never participated in a race before, commit to trying one! Community 5k races are low pressure and all about fun. You don’t have to aim for a record-breaking time; you don’t even have to run! Get a group together and sign up for a local 5k to get yourself moving this summer and try something new.

Go On a Road Trip

Going on a road trip is an affordable alternative to going on a long-distance vacation. Road trips are adaptable and flexible, giving you all the freedom you need to form the summer trip of your dreams. Stay local if you’d like or get some friends and trade-off time at the wheel to go even further. Find somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit and commit to taking a road trip there this summer! It’s a fun summer activity in recovery that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Seek Help If You Need It

Don’t forget to ask for help if you need it. If you get to a point where you feel like you need some support, seek professional help. We here to help reset your sobriety journey.

Lifeskills South Florida offers comprehensive and individualized mental health/co-occurring treatment for adults 18+ in our safe, therapeutic environment.  We offer clinical pathways to meet each client’s needs. All of our clinicians are master’s or doctoral level and have additional training, as well as certifications, in their specialty area. Our Yale-trained Medical Director, Dr. Daniel Bober, is quintuple board certified and can often be seen on major news networks weighing in on the latest mental health trends. Whether you need the intensive support of a Residential Treatment Program or the flexibility of an outpatient program, including Partial Hospitalization as well as Intensive Outpatient, with optional Transitional Housing, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about the programs we have to offer. Our admissions counselors are available and waiting for your call!