For many people overcoming substance abuse, the holiday season is often an anxious time as they adjust to life without drugs or alcohol. It is not uncommon for someone leaving rehab to feel that they will become boring without using substances, rendering their social lives non-existent. However, as many people in recovery report, these fears are unfounded. There are plenty of activities you can take up without alcohol or drugs involved. Let’s take a look at a few.

There is a scientifically proven connection between the shorter days and longer nights of the winter months and mental health disorders, with more people reporting symptoms towards the end of the year than at any other time. But what is it that makes us more susceptible to mental health issues at winter time?