Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) involves learning new skills and adapting to overcome challenges. Leisure activities, hobbies, and experiential therapy can help people develop greater self-awareness and satisfaction during the healing process. According to Psychosomatic Medicine, “engaging in multiple types of leisure activities plays a role in buffering the negative psychological impact of stress.” At Spero Recovery, our programs include a range of activities, including wood crafting, hiking in the mountains, and volleyball to increase engagement and lower stress.
Why Does Spero Recovery Focus on Experiential Activities?
Spero Recovery focuses on experiential activities that foster positive social interactions and a sense of community. Everyone in recovery benefits from learning new skills that allow them the space to heal. Hobbies and group activities like adventure therapy offer excellent opportunities for personal growth and peer support.
Experiential activities also provide the following benefits:
- Increased conflict resolution and problem-solving
- Improved communication skills
- An opportunity to explore new interests
- Decreased symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression
- The chance to build and use your inner strength to overcome obstacles
- Health benefits, including lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease
Experiential therapy allows people to engage in multiple aspects of recovery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Being engaged in life and relationships provides a measure of balance and overall wellness.” Trying new activities in a group setting allows people to grow together. In addition, the hobbies you explore during rehabilitation can become lifelong positive routines, expanding your skills and sense of self. The activities like wood crafting that we offer at Spero Recovery build inner strength and improve self-efficacy.
Crafting, Outdoor Hobbies, and Other Activities at Spero Recovery
Spero Recovery uses a range of daily activities to improve life skills. We encourage program participants to engage in hobbies they find enjoyable during recovery. In addition to traditional treatments like individual and group therapy, we also offer experiential activities, including the following:
- Volleyball games
- Mountain hiking and other outdoor activities
- Woodworking and crafting hobbies
- Cooking and other practical life skills
- Mediation
Every activity we offer supports the community culture and provides an opportunity for growth. Our team also has the freedom to adjust daily schedules at will, allowing us to try new things and incorporate suggestions provided by individuals undergoing treatment.
Discovering Enjoyable Activities
Not everyone enjoys wood crafting or spending time hiking through mountain trails. We all have unique interests and things that speak to us. Spero Recovery allows you to choose from multiple types of activities. In addition, the staff also encourages program participants to try new things and expand their interests. You might hesitate at the idea of crafting furniture or other items out of wood and then find the experience gratifying. As the saying goes, you won’t know until you try.
The activities we offer can help people craft a successful recovery by doing the following:
- Developing essential life skills
- Improving self-confidence and self-efficacy
- Increasing overall health
- Encouraging positive peer interactions
- Creating a culture of community
- Providing an opportunity to serve others
Healing from SUD takes time and having something that keeps you focused and motivated enhances the effects of treatment.
The Health Benefits of Learning New Crafting Hobbies
Any time we learn new things, we can translate certain aspects of that skill to other areas of our life. Every day is an opportunity to expand our knowledge. In addition, many hobbies also improve overall health and wellness.
Some of the health benefits of the activities offered at Spero Recovery include the following:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Lower stress levels
- Less risk of relapse
- Improved mood and mental health
- Fewer side effects of co-occurring conditions
The Importance of Physical Fitness in Recovery
Physical fitness directly affects our mental health and recovery from SUD. People who constantly feel tired or overwhelmed by daily stressors will struggle to engage in their own recovery. However, when people are rested and energized, challenges feel easier to overcome. Activities like woodworking offer a combination of self-awareness, physical activity, and creative expression that can help you feel more comfortable and confident during recovery.
Co-occurring disorders may interfere with recovery by causing emotional burnout and other issues. People with co-occurring mental health disorders often see a decrease in symptom severity after taking up hobbies that improve physical health.
Crafting a Community
Social interactions are an essential part of recovery. We use group activities and therapy to encourage healthy relationships and positive peer interactions. According to Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, “Peer support groups included in addiction treatment show much promise in potentially reducing substance use, improving engagement, reducing HIV/HCV risk behaviors, and improving substance-related outcomes.” We use activities like wood crafting to encourage peer support and the development of social skills. You can become part of our thriving sober community.
Some people in recovery have never had an opportunity to learn what activities or interests they find most enjoyable. We encourage people attending our programs to expand their interests and experiences. Everyone who participates in treatment at Spero Recovery has an opportunity to use their skills to give back to the community. We also prioritize positive peer interactions and engagement. You can choose to participate in woodworking, sports, outdoor exercises, or additional activities alongside other program participants. In addition to improving mental health, these activities also provide a physical outlet for self-expression. To learn more about how you can benefit from our programs and services, call our office today at (303) 351-7888.
