How to Plan a Sober and Eco-Friendly Vacation

There is a really well-known saying – “No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” Indeed, who does not crave a vacation from time to time? Whether you are planning for a new vacation or want to go on a back-to-back vacation, the point is to relax and have fun while being sober and mindful of the environment – is it not? If you are newly sober or want to lead a sustainable lifestyle, you are already on the right path by wanting to read articles such as this. We will try our best to shed light on how you can plan a sober and eco-friendly vacation while not missing out on the fun!

How Sobriety Enhances Travel?

There is probably not a holiday that goes by without alcohol or other drugs clawing their way in – in fact, some plan a vacation to just have their own “lost weekend” of drinking and drugs. In reality, though, this only takes away the fun from your travel. Just think about it – you wake up feeling exhausted with a hangover, or not even with a memory of things of the day/night before if things went way too far; you can even land yourself in trouble in a strange land, after all, alcohol and drug use often go hand-in-hand with highly risky circumstances and legal entanglements.

 

On the other hand, sobriety enhances your travel experience. For one, without psychoactive substances in your system, you remain lucid. You enjoy the moment for what it is and go to bed to wake up feeling rejuvenated for the next day of travel and fun – you get to experience the fun as it unfolds. Moreover, you are also safer without alcohol or drugs in your system, and choosing a sober lifestyle helps you enjoy travel without unnecessary risks.

How to Plan a Sober and Eco-Friendly Vacation?

Planning a sober and eco-friendly vacation can be different from planning just a vacation. You will have to follow certain steps to ensure you can experience all the new sights and sounds while also having a relaxing, fun-filled trip.

Choosing the Right Destination

When it comes to vacation, it is all about destination, destination, and destination! By choosing the right destination that aligns with your recovery principles, you can keep your mind away from alcohol and drugs while also having fun. Ponder for a while on what brings you joy and fulfillment – nature, outdoors, or connection? You can choose a destination that meets your needs.

Finding Alcohol-Free Activities

Being sober does not mean you do not have fun. You will have a different fun where there is no alcohol or drugs involved – for instance, you can plan recovery activities that do not involve any of alcohol or drugs, such as:

• Hiking
• Beach
• Kayaking
• Biking
• Mindfulness or yoga retreats.

Sustainable Travel Practices

• Get off the beaten track. There are many undiscovered wonders in the world that are hurting from a lack of tourism. By getting off the oft-traveled path, you can contribute to their economy.
• Conserve water and energy. Travel uses water and other energy, like lighting, heating, electricity, and so on. Be mindful of your consumption of water and energy, as tourists often end up consuming more of the same than locals do.
• Use efficient modes of transportation. Try to use efficient modes of transportation, like public transportation, so as to reduce carbon emissions.
• Engage in carbon offsetting. While some amount of carbon emissions is to be expected, you can choose to balance things out with carbon offsetting. You need to calculate your carbon emissions and purchase offsets so that your money gets invested in eco-friendly projects.

 

Planning Your Accommodations

Plan your accommodations so that you get to enjoy the history, culture, and food of the land you travel to without having to indulge in the bar scene. You can use online resources or even ask the hotel you choose for quiet environments that are not centered around drinks or drugs. Opt for the accommodations that engage in sustainable practices. You can read their policies before you choose.

How to Pack for a Sober & Eco-Friendly Trip?

Whenever you are packing for a sober and eco-friendly trip, use sustainable, eco-friendly items. You can begin by avoiding any kind of plastic items. At the same time, your sobriety cannot take a backseat when you travel, so ensure you pack your:

• Water bottle
• Daily journal and reminders
• Recovery material, such as books/podcasts
• Exercise gear
• Sleep aids
• Comfort items
• Emergency contacts.

Travel-Friendly Self-Care Practices

Once you are all packed with the items you need to ensure your sobriety still remains a priority during your vacation, engaging in travel-friendly self-care practices is also crucial.

 

You must focus on handling your stressors and triggers. They can still get to you when you move to an unfamiliar environment. Plan in advance the kind of stressors and triggers you can encounter and practice your coping strategies.

 

Psychotherapy sessions can strengthen your sobriety before travel. Be sure to visit your psychotherapist before you leave for the vacation – be honest about your joys and worries, so that you are better equipped to care for yourself and sobriety even when you are away from home.

 

Keep attending recovery meetings while you are away. Given the wide presence of 12-Step and non-12-Step meetings worldwide, it is likely there will be a recovery meeting happening near you. Vacation is a good time to try out a new meeting, or you can also attend your familiar recovery meeting online.

Final Reflections

You might have often heard how sobriety is unnatural and unfun – but this is far from the truth. Your sober and eco-friendly vacations only need to be planned rightly and safely for you to have all the fun you want without engaging in substance use.

By choosing destinations that align with your recovery principles and filling your days with your favorite things, you can plan ahead to stay on top of things. In fact, you will find that sobriety enhances your travel experience by allowing you to experience and remember these moments of joy for what they are!