When you enter drug or alcohol detox, you’re facing one of the most challenging periods of your life. While it may seem like a period packed with stress and misery, this is an excellent opportunity to begin rebuilding your life in a healthier fashion.
The first step towards doing so is by making detox fun, and that starts by going into it with acceptance and a positive attitude. Detox is never easy, but if you incorporate some fun during this stressful time, you might find yourself going into the next phase of recovery with a much better perspective. Here are a few ways you can make drug or alcohol detox fun.
Get Some Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress and build emotional resilience. It can also help to improve the duration and quality of your sleep, decrease your cravings, and improve your mood, helping you battle common mental health conditions that co-occur alongside addictions. Best of all, if you find a type of exercise you love, it can be fun, too.
Try playing tennis, volleyball, or another sport you can enjoy with a family member, friend, or fellow patient. If you prefer to work out solo, try dance, yoga, weight lifting, and circuit training.
Meditate
This is the perfect time to start if you’ve never meditated before. Meditation isn’t just about clearing your mind and focusing on the present moment; it’s also a great way to reduce your stress levels and feel more relaxed overall. If you have a busy mind and find it hard to relax even on your off days, meditation can help you see past your cravings and focus on positive things in life.
Meditation is also a beneficial way to bond with other people in your situation while at rehab. It’s important to remember that meditation isn’t something you rush through. It’s a process that takes time and practice. If you go into it expecting immediate results, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, go into it with an open mind and a willingness to learn, and you’ll find the process is all the more rewarding.
Reach Out to People You Trust
When you find yourself craving drugs or alcohol, one of the best things you can do is reach out to a trusted loved one. You could call a family member or friend and have a conversation. Alternatively, you could send them an email or a letter. By reaching out to people in your life who you can trust, you can take your mind off of your cravings.
Staying social with those who support you can also help you see things from a new perspective. It might help you realize that you don’t need drugs or alcohol anymore.
Watch Your Favorite Shows and Movies
Find a movie or TV series that you love and watch it during your stay at rehab. This can be a great way to take your mind off your cravings and focus on positive things. You could also read a book you’ve always wanted to read or find books on a subject that interests you. Being able to lose yourself in a good story is a great way to take your mind off cravings and prevent them from taking over. It can also help you relax and sleep better at night.
Play Games
Find some board games that you love and play them with fellow patients during your stay at rehab. This can be a great way to take your mind off of your cravings and focus on positive things in life. You could also challenge a friend or roommate to a game of cards. Games are a great way to keep your mind active and focused on something other than cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Start Your Recovery Journey Now
When you approach your addiction with a positive mindset, you’re more likely to break free from it. That’s why it’s important to do what you can to make drug or alcohol detox fun. Through exercise and social activities, you’ll be able to distract yourself from cravings and make the process of getting clean and sober a lot easier.
If you or someone you love is ready to start a life of sobriety, contact Baystate Recovery Center. Our admissions team is ready to help you explore your options and take the first step on your recovery journey.
Baystate Recovery Center, a clinically Infused 12-Step Treatment Center for Drug and Alcohol Addiction, was founded by two partners in addiction treatment services, John Checchi and Michael Wilson.
