When you give up drinking it can seem like all of the fun things you used to do go with it. Most of our social lives revolve around alcohol, which not only is unhealthy but can lead to the slippery slope of addiction.
Choosing to live alcohol-free may seem like a daunting task, but all you need to do is find things that can replace drinking.
Why You Can Still Have Fun and Be Sober
While it can feel lonely being one of the only of your friends that is sober, it’s more likely than not that someone around is going through the same situation as you. Almost one-third of adult Americans don’t drink at all and another third have less than one alcoholic drink a week. People who don’t drink have reported several benefits like better skin, more focus, and a deeper connection with themselves and those around them.
Just because you’re sober doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun. There are plenty of ways for you to have a great time alcohol-free. Don’t believe us? We’ve put together a list of 30 things you can do instead of drinking. An entire month’s worth of activities that you can do without alcohol, with friends, or by yourself. The next time you’re tempted to pick up a drink or just can’t think of anything fun to do sober, check out these 30 options you have to choose from.
- Read a Book: There are entire worlds waiting to be explored and all you have to do is open up a book. Don’t have a book? In today’s technology driven world, getting a book is as easy as a click of a button. Order one online, read one on your tablet, or take a trip to your local library and borrow one for free.
- Take a Nap: Most people don’t get enough sleep. You should aim for 8 hours a day on a consistent basis. If you have trouble sleeping through the night or you have to wake up early, try taking a nap in the middle of the day. We promise you’ll wake up feeling rejuvenated and energized.
- Learn to Meditate: Meditating is a great way to relieve stress and get in touch with your inner spiritual self. Try listening to a podcast or a video online for tips on how to practice meditation.
- Workout: Getting your adrenaline pumping and breaking a sweat is a good way to get your daily exercise in and take your mind off of alcohol.
- Try Yoga: Looking for a calmer way to exercise? Yoga may be for you. Those who practice is regularly have reported being more relaxed and having increased flexibility.
- Call Your Mom: Nobody calls their mom as much as they should. Give her a call for no reason at all except to tell her how important she is to you.
- Reach Out to Old Friends: On the topic of calling, when was the last time you actually talked to your old friends? Instead of sending them a message, schedule a phone call or video chat with them to catch up on how they’re doing.
- Have a Movie Marathon: If you’re a movie buff, then hosting a movie marathon is a great idea. Have your friends bring over their favorite movies, pop some popcorn, and let the watching commence.
- Revisit an Old Hobby: If you have a hobby that you used to do all the time but stopped because of a job or time constraints, it’s time to take it up again! Hobbies are great for giving your purpose and occupying your mind by doing something you love.
- Take Up Gardening: Flex your green thumb by taking up gardening. Growing plants will help you get outside more and back in touch with nature.
- Walk a Dog: Take your dog on a walk around the neighborhood, he’ll appreciate it and you both could benefit from the exercise. If you don’t have a dog, borrow one from a friend or a family member.
- Learn Something New: Community centers and local colleges always offer classes that you can take to learn something new. Whether it’s ceramics or coding, you can benefit from putting yourself out there and acquiring a new skill.
- Get Creative: Pick up a paint brush or a hammer and start making something. Whether it’s building a table or painting a watercolor, using your hands to build something can have immense rewards.
- Make a Vision Board: Vision boards are great for creating a tangible representation of your goals, your motivations, and your inspirations. Find some poster board and old magazines, and start pasting down your dreams!
- Keep a Journal: Writing in a journal daily is the perfect opportunity to reflect on your day and how you feel about things in your life.
- Cook a New Recipe: Dust off Grandma’s old cookbook and try out that recipe for chocolate chip cookies you’ve been dying to make.
- Have a Spa Day: Draw yourself a warm bath, cut up some cucumbers, and turn on the relaxing music. There’s nothing wrong with pampering yourself every once in awhile, it’s the perfect way to relax.
- Volunteer: One of the best ways for recovering alcoholics to give back to the community is to sponsor someone. It’s a rewarding opportunity to help out others in need.
- Organize Your Home: If you’re ever looking for something to do, finally tackling that huge pile of junk in your living room is a great place to start.
- Start Blogging: Everyone has a voice, it’s time you share yours with the world. Find a topic that you’re passionate about and start writing.
- Make a Gratitude List: Writing down a list of all of the things in your life that you’re thankful for is a great way to put things in perspective and remind you of all you have.
- Conquer Your Fears: What are your greatest fears in life? Whether it’s roller coasters or spiders, it’s time to tackle them head on.
- Read the Newspaper: When was the last time you actually sat down and read a physical newspaper? Keeping up with current events is important for being an informed citizen.
- Go for a Bike Ride: You might be surprised at how reliable of a mode of transportation your bike is. You can ride it to work, the store, or even just on a path around the park.
- Eat at a New Restaurant: If there’s a new restaurant in town that you’ve been dying to try, there’s no time like the present. Try to step outside of your comfort zone and eat something you never would normally.
- Donate Your Things: There are so many people in need in this country, and you probably have way too much stuff anyway. Take some time to go through your clutter and donate what you can live without.
- Bake Some Bread: This isn’t something a lot of people do anymore. It takes time, patience, and a lot of love. Try it out for yourself.
- Listen to Music: Everybody loves music, it’s the universal language. Whether you discover new bands or listen to your favorite songs, music is a great stress reliever.
- Go Bird Watching: Bird watching gets you outdoors and in tune with nature. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy watching birds in their natural habitats and learning new things as you go.
- Hang Out with the People You Love: Surrounding yourself by the family and friends that you love can boost your self esteem and make you happy. Make time to see the important people in your life on a regular basis.
With these 30 amazing things you can instead of drinking, you will have forgotten what alcohol is by the end of the month. The most important thing to remember is doing what you love with who you love is the perfect recipe for happiness—no alcohol needed.