ART 30 Day Challenge

September 2020 Addiction Recovery Team-Awareness Campaign

September 1: Share your recovery story. You can share it in-person with friends or family, or share it on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 2: Take a mindfulness walk or go for a drive with no distractions (even the radio). You can share a picture of a place you found restful/meaningful during your walk, or reflect on the experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 3: Make plans with a friend and honor those plans. Staying connected to our support groups is an important part of recovery. Tag your friend if they are on social media, or post a picture of the two of you if you have one, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 4: Share a reason you stay sober on social media. It can be a picture, a story, or tagging a loved one, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 5: Spend some time outside, taking note of the sounds, sights, and smells around you. Take a picture if you would like, and share it on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 6: Take 5-10 minutes before bed to meditate or practice mindfulness. Apps like Headspace and Insight Timer provide free guided meditations that may be helpful. Share how using mindfulness impacted your rest the next day on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 7: Share a way you engage in self-care on social media, using the hashtag #recovery. This could include simple things like taking walks while listening to music, making sure to keep the house tidy, or practicing gratefulness.

September 8: Do something kind for a stranger. Whether it be paying for the drink order of the person behind you in line at the coffee shop, or letting someone have your seat on the bus, small acts of kindness make the world a little better. While you may choose to keep your experience to yourself, you can also share it on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 9: Whether you feel that you are artistically inclined or not, creating art can be a great way to cope and express emotions. Take some time today to draw, color, or otherwise express yourself artistically in a way that you are comfortable. If you wish, you can share your creation on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 10: Share your favorite recovery-related quote on social media, using the hashtag #recovery. If you would like, also explain why this quote holds meaning or is particularly helpful to you.

September 11: Share a picture on social media of a person who inspires you, using the hashtag #recovery. Whether in your work to remain in recovery, in life in general, or both, inspiration can be found from many sources, including stories of resilience and overcoming hardship by others.

EVENT: Our Recovery Through the Arts ‘virtual’ open mic on September 11th (4-6p) will showcase the principles of National Recovery Month. Performing in public helps those of us in recovery to creatively express our experience-strength-and hope, publicly show that recovery is possible, and reduce stigma.  One of our goals is also to break down the barriers between audience and performer. It’s not “us and them” it’s “Us”. We all have mental health, and we all also know people who live with addictions/mental health conditions. Performing a story, joke, poem, song, etc. is a way of connecting to our shared and unique humanity. Furthermore, at the Open Mic we want to encourage anyone to use the metaphor of recovery to talk about anything they want to recover in 2020 and beyond – in their lives, families, schools, communities, country, the planet, etc. Join in the fellowship! (on the Jitsi Meet app/platform  https://meet.jit.si/NAMIopenmic)

September 12: Take fifteen minutes to stretch in the morning, and share your experiences about how your body and mood were impacted by this activity on social media, using the hashtag #recovery. Stretching regularly promotes whole body health, including increased mobility.

September 13: Turn off your phone for the evening. Disconnect from the outside world, giving yourself a chance to truly focus on being in the moment. Use this time to reflect on your own goals and needs, and perhaps participate in activities that you would not normally consider were your phone available. The next day, share your experiences on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 14: Today, take the opportunity to engage in physical care. While recent months may have made it easier to sit in sweatpants, take this opportunity to dress up, even if you have nowhere to go. Taking care of yourself and dressing up can help lift your mood. Take a picture and and share it on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 15: This evening, cook a meal from scratch. Take the time to be mindful while cooking, whether it is an old favorite or a new recipe you are trying for the first time. Try to not use electronics at the dinner table, and mindfully enjoy your creation. Take a picture and share it on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 16: Today, set a mini-goal and achieve it. This goal can be in service of a larger goal, or taking care of something small that you have been meaning to but never seem to get around to. Achieving our goals reminds us that progress is possible, and that there are many things in our life that we can change for the better. Share your goal and your experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 17: Share a song that inspires you. Whether it be the music, lyrics, or story behind it, shar the song on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 18: If you are able, call a family member (or a close friend) to catch up and check-in. It can be easy to become so busy with daily life that we forget to cherish moments with our loved ones. Share your experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 19: Today, take five minutes to practice gratefulness meditation. Reminding ourselves of the things we do have can have a positive effect on motivation and mood. Guided gratefulness meditations can be found online or by utilizing apps such as Headspace or Insight Timer. Share your experience with gratefulness on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 20: Set aside some time today to read for pleasure. Depending on your school or work responsibilities, reading can often become a chore. Remind yourself of the how reading can be fun, relaxing, and a healthy way to cope. Share you experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 21: Today, dance or listen to music from when you were in high school. Take a trip down memory lane and also get some exercise in. Share your experience on social media, or, if you are feeling particularly brave, share a video of you dancing, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 22: Practice deep breathing or progressive relaxation before bed. Learning to notice and control our physiological reactions to stress and anxiety can help us better cope with these experiences in the future. Practicing deep breathing during a low-stress time, such as before bed, is a great way to strengthen this skill. Share your experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 23: Volunteer at a local shelter or other non-profit organization. Whether it be playing with and caring for animals at an animal shelter, or volunteering as a greeter at hospital, paying it forward always pays off. Share you experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 24: Sit down and write a list of five things you like about yourself. Share the list on social media, and invite your friends to write their own lists, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 25: Share an activity that helps you maintain sobriety on social media, using the hashtag #recovery. Whether it be exercise, meditation, talking to a friend, or attending a religious service, knowing what works for you is important, and can also help others who are looking for ways to remain sober.

September 26: Today, make time to get some cardiovascular exercise in. Whether it be a walk or run, try to exercise for at least 30 minutes. Cardiovascular exercise is good not only for your heart, but also releases endorphins in your brain, boosting your mood. Share your experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 27: Today, eat a meal without distractions, including phones, television, or music. If you like, take this opportunity to eat with a friend or loved one, enjoying being present in the moment. Share your experience on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 28: Sit down and write a list of five people or things you are grateful for, and share it on social media, using the hashtag #recovery. By reminding ourselves of the resources we do have in our lives, we are more likely to utilize them in times of need.

September 29: If you are able, and it is safe to do so, take time to hug a loved one or cuddle with a pet. Physical touch can provide comfort, and is a basic need of all people. Share your experience, or a picture of you with your pet, on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

September 30: Today, find and share a link to a local support group or organization focused on recovery. By raising awareness and providing resources to others that are struggling, you are paying it forward. Share the link on social media, using the hashtag #recovery.

Hosted by
Addiction Recovery Team (A.R.T.)
https://www.addictionrecoveryteam.org/