During recovery, we often find ourselves feeling isolated. It’s a difficult process to take on, and it’s even more difficult when you’re doing it alone. Maybe it’s our desire to not be a burden on those around us, maybe it’s out of embarrassment, or maybe your mental health has been suffering and as a direct result of that, you no longer have the energy necessary to do ordinary things. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, it’s important to remember what you’re doing, and why. Give yourself grace, and focus on functioning. One of the most underrated things during recovery, that many people don’t take advantage of, is changing your scenery. Getting up and moving, going outside, is so much more valuable than you realize. Just in case you’re doubtful, here are a few reasons that you should go outside today.

The sun feels nice

When we spend most of our time indoors, it’s easy to forget how the sun feels, the breeze on your face, the ground beneath your feet. It may be cold outside right now, but that doesn’t invalidate the need to go outside. Put on your favorite pair of boots, bundle up in a coat, and wrap a scarf around your neck. Allow yourself to be outside and feel. I promise, the sun still feels nice.

Go try something new

Being inside your home, you are limited in the things that you can do. Outside, your possibilities are truly limitless. So go outside, and try something new. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, but just try to do something new. Maybe go on a walk in a different part of the neighborhood than you usually do. Visit a different coffee shop. There are countless new things to do outside, so go and do one.

Visit a friend

Why is it that we feel that we have to do hard things alone? We truly do not have to do these things, especially things as challenging as recovery, by ourselves. Whether we mean to isolate ourselves or not, it can sometimes happen. So, take advantage of an opportunity to go outside, and meet up with a friend. Maybe visit a bookstore, grab lunch together, or ask them to accompany you on a walk. Human interaction is a basic necessity, and you’ll find that you didn’t even realize how much you’d missed it.