Sober Ways to Have Fun in the Fall and Winter

Staying sober during any season can be difficult, but fall and winter bring several additional challenges for people in recovery. Both seasons can profoundly affect mood and energy levels, which in turn play a role in your mental health.

What Makes Sobriety More Difficult in Cooler Weather?

During fall and winter, there are fewer hours of daylight, and you can’t participate in as many fun outdoor activities. In addition, memories surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas can make the holiday season a struggle for many people who are working to maintain long-term sobriety.

People in recovery can also be more susceptible to a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD for short. SAD is most common during the winter months; however, it can also affect people during the summer.

When you’re working to break free of addictive behaviors, it’s essential to have a plan to fight back when the fall and winter blues threaten to drag you down. Staying connected with your peers in recovery and finding fun, sober activities to fill your schedule can go a long way toward helping you succeed in your goals.

Sober Activities in Fall and Winter

Fortunately, here in sunny Arizona, it’s easy to maintain an active lifestyle year-round, even in cooler weather, and there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy that don’t have to involve alcohol. To help you fill your free time with sober activities you can enjoy on your own or with a group, we’ve compiled this list for you. Now, all you need to do is get out and have a good time!

2018 Veterans’ Day Parade – Saturday, Nov. 10
Head to downtown Prescott for a free parade! This year’s theme is “Honoring Hometown Heroes: Remembering World War I.”
Prescott Turkey Trot – Saturday, Nov. 17
Looking for a way to get in some healthy activity while contributing to an excellent cause? The annual Prescott Turkey Trot is a fun run that helps collect food and cash donations for the Yavapai Food Bank for Thanksgiving. Choose between either an 8K run or a two-mile walk/run, and don’t forget your best costume for even more hilarious hijinks!
2018 Prescott Holiday Light Parade – Saturday, Nov. 24
Featuring incredible floats and an appearance from Santa, this parade makes its way through downtown Prescott toward the courthouse. After the parade, head over to the field at Mile High Middle School for a bonfire party.
38th Annual Prescott Christmas Parade and 64th Annual Yavapai Courthouse Tree Lighting – Saturday, Dec. 1
Round up your family and friends and kick off the 2018 Christmas season with a festive parade and tree-lighting ceremony. You’ll be in the spirit for sure after this event!

Stay Sober Year-Round in Prescott, AZ

Discover a lifetime of sobriety at Canyon Crossing. Our women’s-only recovery programs are here to help you get a new sense of purpose and rediscover the joys of life. Reach out to us today to get started on your journey.

Benefits of Residential AddictionTreatment

You cannot heal in the same environment that made you sick. This is the philosophy behind our residential addiction treatment program. At Canyon Crossing, women learn to live life on life’s terms while staying in a safe, substance-free setting. This gives our clients the space and peace needed for lasting recovery.

Our residential program combines high-accountability sober living arrangements with first-rate clinical care. While staying in our homes, clients participate in process groups, one-on-one counseling sessions, and hands-on learning opportunities. They also receive ongoing training; in these meetings, life skills like financial management and conflict resolution are imparted. All of this happens with 24/7 encouragement, guidance, and supervision from our clinical team.