The Importance of having fun in Recovery

When you’re in recovery from food addiction, it’s easy to get caught up in the seriousness of it all - the plans, the journals, the therapy sessions, the daily battles with cravings. And yes, those things matter, they’re a part of healing, but there’s something else just as vital that often gets overlooked: FUN! Joy. Play. Laughter. Lightness. Those aren’t just “nice extras” in life, they’re essential. Recovery isn’t meant to feel like a life sentence. It’s meant to help you reclaim your life, and that includes the parts that make you smile, laugh, and feel truly alive.

Let’s talk about why having fun is a powerful, and often underestimated, part of healing.

'Seek joy' written in yellow bubble text with a smile in the 'o' of joy.

Fun Helps You Reconnect with who You Are Beyond Food

When your life has been dominated by food thoughts, binges, guilt, restriction, and cravings, it can be hard to remember who you are underneath it all. Having fun helps you rediscover the version of yourself that isn’t tangled up in obsession or shame. The version that’s creative, curious, spontaneous, maybe even a little silly. That part of you has always been there, waiting patiently. You deserve to feel joy for no reason other than being alive.

It Rewires the Brain’s Reward System

Food addiction often involves using food as a source of comfort or pleasure, because somewhere along the way, your brain learned to associate certain foods with relief or a temporary high. The food news is: your brain is incredibly adaptable. It can learn new ways to experience reward, and fun is one of the vest ways to do that. When you engage in enjoyable, meaningful, or playful activities, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These natural highs can start to fill the space that food used to occupy, in a healthier, more sustainable way.

It Reduces Stress and Emotional Triggers

Stress is one of the biggest drivers of cravings. When life feels heavy, overwhelming, or monotonous, it’s natural to want an escape. In the past, food might have been that escape. But laughter, play, and creativity can offer real relief - without the crash or guilt. Even a few minutes of doing something lighthearted can shift your nervous system out of survival mode and into a more relaxed, balanced state. Fun helps you breathe again.

It Builds Confidence and Connection

Trying something new, whether it’s a dance class, painting, learning an instrument, or just playing a game, helps rebuild confidence in your abilities and resilience. And when you share fun with others, you build real connection, something that’s deeply healing in recovery. Laughter with friends, a walk with a loved one, even a shared hobby online can be a reminder that you’re not alone, and life is worth showing up for.

So What Does ‘Fun’ Actually Look Like?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Fun is deeply personal, what brings someone else joy might leave you cold. The key is giving yourself permission to explore, without needing to “earn” your joy. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Going for a nature walk with music or a podcast you love

  • Painting, sketching, or doing something crafty

  • Dancing around your kitchen like nobody’s watching

  • Watching a favourite comedy or light-hearted film

  • Playing with a pet, a child, or even a fidget toy

  • Joining a beginner’s class in something that looks fun but totally out of your comfort zone

  • Singing (badly and proudly) in the car

  • Building a puzzle, playing a board game, or doing a word search

  • Baking something for someone else - no pressure, just love

Cartoon image of 3 people dancing.
Cartoon image of a group of 4 people and a black cat sat on the floor around a table with a board game on. One of the people has their hands in the air.

It’s not about how “productive” or “healthy” the activity is, it’s about how it makes you feel.

But What If I Feel Guilty for Having Fun?

That’s so common. Many people in recovery feel like they’re only allowed to enjoy life after they’ve “fixed” themselves. Here’s the truth: Fun isn’t a reward for healing. It’s part of how you heal.

You don’t need to be “better” to enjoy joy - you need joy to get better.

Letting yourself laugh, play, or rest doesn’t mean you’re ignoring your recovery. It means you’re making space for the parts of yourself that addiction tried to silence.

Final Thoughts: Healing Is Lighter than You Think

Recovery doesn’t always have to feel like hard work. Yes, there will be tough days, deep feelings, and hard decisions. But there can also be playfulness, freedom, and laughter along the way. Sometimes, choosing fun, even just a little bit, is an act of resistance. It’s a way of saying: “I am more than my addiction. I still have a life to live, and I’m allowed to enjoy it.”

So this week, ask yourself not just what you need to do to recover, but what might bring you a little joy along the way. Because fun isn’t a detour, it’s part of the path.

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You don’t have to do this alone.