Spend Time Volunteering
Not only is volunteering a great way to give back to your community, but it can also be a way to promote substance use recovery. A recent study showed that altruistic behaviors, such as volunteering, help us to get connected with other people and can promote substance use recovery. Volunteering can provide many benefits, such as instilling a personal sense of purpose, providing an opportunity to give back in the community, gaining social and professional connections, as well as supporting people in similar situations. Many recovery programs incorporate volunteerism into treatment, because it’s recognized as such a valuable tool for building community and strengthening recovery supports. Interested in getting involved and giving back? Check out the resources!
Explore: Check out this article to learn more about how volunteering can benefit you in recovery
Watch: Hear Andy Pegg, a volunteer for REACH Drug & Alcohol Service in Dorset, UK tell his story of overcoming alcohol addiction finding meaning through volunteering and helping others in recovery
Practice: Ready to get involved? Check out the Volunteer Iowa website for more information on how to get started. Additionally, try some of these journaling prompts to help reflect!
Describe how you supported your community through volunteering.
Talk about what group or organization you volunteered with.
- Why did you choose to spend your time supporting this cause?
- What personal connections led you to make this decision?
- How did you feel when you volunteered? What feelings came up for you?
- Did you learn anything new when you volunteered?
- What surprised you?
- What felt comfortable for you? What felt uncomfortable?
- What experiences impact how you view volunteering?
Get Active
Care for your body to stay healthy now! Try these easy tips to incorporate physical activity in your daily routine, and promote your path to recovery.
Connect with Your Community
No one is on the path to recovery alone. Consider joining a group of like-minded individuals for social connection and recovery support.
Develop a Budget
Many people find that their personal finances look different in recovery. Try developing a budget to help your financial wellbeing.
Promote Self-Learning
When you start on your recovery journey, it can feel like there’s so much to learn. Try some of the self-guided learning tips to learn how substance use affects your body and brain.
Take Time for Mindfulness
In today’s world, it can be hard to take a moment to yourself. Mindfulness and meditation can help you develop a reflective mindset, and promote recovery.
Connect with Nature
Spending time in nature can help you feel relaxed and clear your mind. Take a moment to connect with the natural world around you.
Think of how you feel when you interact with nature.
Practice Gratitude
Take time each day to reflect through a gratitude mindset. Do this for just a few minutes each day, and, over time, you'll feel calmer, and more connected to the things that matter most.
Spend Time
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to make social connections and learn new skills, all while promoting your path to sustained recovery.
Strive for Good Sleep
Without sleep, we cannot make effective decisions about our lives and the world around us. To promote your recovery mindset, aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night.