Sober living isn’t just about deciding what substances you want to avoid. It is also about choosing what you want more of in your life.
Los Angeles can add so many great things to your life that you won’t even miss what you’ve given up. Sunshine, ocean breezes, hiking trails, and a growing wellness community make sober living in LA both easier and more enjoyable.
The most important part of recovery is learning how to live again. The best way to do that is by picking a hobby. Even better if it involves outdoor activity and physical movement.
Physical excursions and the outdoors combine two of the most crucial aspects of recovery: reconnecting with one’s body and rediscovering joy in everyday life.
What Makes Outdoor-Focused Sober Living Different in Los Angeles?
When you think of sober living, do you think of strict routines and curfews? Well, at Haven House, our approach is different.
Being located in Los Angeles means taking into account its natural beauty. Hiking, outdoor yoga sessions, and reading by the beach are what daily life in LA looks like.
Taking that out would only make recovery feel less hopeful and motivating.
Promoting an active lifestyle is an important part of recovery, but LA‘s climate makes it easy. The city has beautiful weather year-round, which makes it easier to arrange outdoor activities.
LA is known for its wellness culture.
Many people in LA prioritize healthy eating, fitness, and wellness practices. Sobriety is not just popular; it’s celebrated. This makes it easier to not only talk about your healing journey but be proud of it.
Top Outdoor Activities for Sober Living in LA
If you are interested in joining outdoor activities that align with your sobriety goals in LA, here are some of our top recommendations:
Hiking
Hiking can be especially healing because you get to build resilience mindfully. Studies have found that hiking lowers cortisol levels and promotes relaxation, which is vital for recovery.
In LA, the trails are open year-round, and the best time to go on a hike is on the weekends and in the morning.
Surfing
If you’re in LA to enjoy the water, surfing may be the best option. It has also been shown to alleviate symptoms of mental illness, such as anxiety and depression.
The best time to go surfing will depend on the weather, but for the most part, this is a year-round activity.
Yoga
Studies show that outdoor yoga is a great way to combat depression and reduce anxiety.
At Haven House, community is a huge deal. We believe that recovery is not something you do alone. Our goal is to reignite our clients’ love for life and adventure.
How Outdoor Activities Support Lasting Recovery
Recovery takes more than a change of scenery. You need positive lifestyle shifts, such as fitness and outdoor activities, to ignite the spark that you lost.
A review published in 2023 showed that adding an exercise routine such as jogging, cycling, and resistance workouts reduces substance use by 75% and alleviates depression by 28%.
Physical activities, especially those based outdoors, can provide mental, social, and emotional benefits. The study termed exercise as “medicine for addiction recovery”.
Outdoor activities support lasting recovery by adding structure and routine. At Haven House, we have seen our clients’ lives transform when they added daily walks and group training sessions into their routine.
Our clients struggle with substance use, often as a result of unhealed trauma. Instead of self-soothing with alcohol or drugs, we encourage them to replace old patterns with outdoor activities.
Exercise helps our clients rebuild trust in themselves, something addiction often erodes.
Substance abuse severs the mind-body connection. Physical activity, especially challenging activities like swimming and hiking, rebuilds the trust that addiction may have eroded.
Group outdoor activities are also a great way for our clients to meet like-minded people. Outdoor activities and classes, such as hikes, foster community and support, something our clients could do with more.
Why Choose Haven House for Outdoor-Focused Sober Living in LA?
At Haven House, we believe in the power of structure to pull you back from a dark place. Outdoor activities make the journey to sobriety full of joy and serenity, which is why we encourage our clients to participate.
Luxury Meets Healing
At Haven House, we understand the value of finding comfort in our surroundings when you’re on a challenging path to recovery. This commitment earned Haven House a nomination for “Best Luxury Sober Living in Los Angeles” in 2024.
Community & Compassion
Founder of Haven House, Jeremy K. Stanton, drew inspiration from his personal recovery to create a space where sobriety and empathy go hand in hand. He saw community as the missing piece and built Haven House to help remedy that.
Empower Not Confine
Substance abuse can feel confining. To break away from it, you need to rediscover the joy in your life. Whether it is nature, community, or hobbies, we are here to help our clients navigate their recovery journey.
Book a call today to learn more about Haven House, or send this to a friend who could use the support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are outdoor activities important in sober living?
Outdoor activities help rebuild the mind-body connection and improve coping mechanisms and emotional regulation for those in recovery.
2. How does Los Angeles make outdoor sober living unique?
Los Angeles is a beautiful, outdoorsy town to live in. It is normal for people to opt for an active recovery program to make the most of LA’s year-round sunshine, beaches, and hiking trails.
3. What outdoor activities are most beneficial for recovery?
Outdoor activities such as hiking, yoga, and surfing are the most beneficial for recovery as they promote mental health and foster a sense of community.
4. Do studies support exercise as part of recovery?
Yes, studies have shown that exercise can help reduce substance use, as well as ease depression.
5. How do outdoor activities help with relapse prevention?
Outdoor activities create structure and introduce healthy routines that reduce the risk of relapse.
6. Can I join community groups in a sober living house?
Yes, community groups are a great way to build sober friendships and healthy routines.
7. What makes Haven House different from other sober living homes in LA?
Haven House combines luxury accommodations with a sense of community to promote recovery.
8. How long should I stay in a sober living program?
You can stay in sober living programs for 6 to 9 months. This duration is ideal for building healthy habits and transitioning back into daily life.
9. Is Haven House pet-friendly?
Yes, one of the best things about Haven House is that you can bring your pets with you to support you through the recovery process.
10. How can I get started with Haven House?
You can start your sobriety journey today by calling our team to learn more about our recovery programs.