Safe and Substance Free Summer Activities

ClearVision Health and Wellness (CVHW) reminds those new to recovery or exploring sobriety that having a safe and substance-free summer celebrations and activities are not only possible but also easy to do. 

"When seeking fun and fulfillment this summer, remember that true happiness lies in the experiences we create, not in the substances we consume,” explains ClearVision’s executive director Louise Stevens. “Before any activity, have a plan in place that involves laughter, connection, adventure, and growth but also a plan that involves getting support if the desire to use becomes too great.”

Stevens and the professional rehabilitation counselors of ClearVision, provide the following substance-free summer activities:

• Head to the mountains or the beach - the opportunity to enjoy Mother Nature is just a quick drive away, whether heading to a nearby State Park or sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean or local lake. Both are excellent ways to clear your head and rejuvenate your spirit. Take a deep breath and enjoy the fresh air and the warm sun on your face. 

 

• Nourish your body with seasonal produce - Pennsylvania’s peak growing season is now, and seasonal produce, whether from your garden or a local farmer's market, provides our bodies with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Locally sourced items are the freshest and typically most flavorful–try something new like kohlrabi or bite into a juice peach. If you have a green thumb, share your harvest with loved ones, and if your thumb tends to be brown, consider having a get-together with dishes featuring your favorite farmer’s market finds.

 

• Take it outside - the summer means more daylight and warm evenings, so why not take advantage of this by moving indoor activities out? Enjoy dinner or dessert on the porch. Listen to podcasts or read a book under the shade of a tree. See a movie outside; there are several drive-in theaters in northeastern Pennsylvania, or create one in your backyard–just Google backyard drive-in for ideas.

 

• Remember your childhood - simple pleasures often bring the most joy, so pick up some sidewalk chalk or crayons and a coloring book next time you're out. Enjoy an ice cream or water ice on a hot day, or host an impromptu water balloon fight. Kick a ball around at your local park or see if you remember how to jump rope. 

Stevens continued, “No matter which activities you embrace this summer, choose those that fuel your passions, connect you with nature, and strengthen bonds with loved ones. Find solace in the realization that true joy can be experienced without the crutch of substances.”