Ways to Connect
With yourself and your community
Feeling connected
Feeling connected to yourself and to others can support mental health, reduce stress, and make change feel more possible.
Connection can look different for everyone. It might mean spending time in nature, joining a group, reading a book that helps things make sense, or finding a community where you feel welcome.
This page shares ideas and resources to help explore connection through hobbies and activities.
Hobbies & interests
Finding activities that feel meaningful can help build routine, improve mood, and support changes you want to make in your life. Hobbies can offer focus, relief from stress, and a sense of purpose.
Whether you are working on your mental health, reducing substance use, or looking for more balance, hobbies can help you feel more grounded and supported.
Ideas to explore
Use these categories as inspiration. Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, libraries, and secondhand shops can be good places to find low-cost supplies.
Outdoors & Movement
Outdoors & Movement
- Walking or hiking
- Biking or casual rides
- Fishing or boating where safe and permitted
- Snowshoeing or winter walks
- Frisbee, disc golf, or informal sports
- Gardening
Creative Activities
Creative Activities
- Drawing, painting, or collaging
- Photography
- Knitting, crocheting, or woodwork
- Writing, journaling, or poetry
- Playing music, singing, or listening mindfully
Mind–Body & Wellness
Mind–Body & Wellness
- Gentle yoga or stretching (in person or online)
- Mindful walking
- Breathing exercises or meditation
- Gardening or caring for plants
- Sound or music for relaxation
Spirituality & Culture
Spirituality & Culture
For some people, connection is rooted in culture, spirituality, and relationships with family, community, and the land. These experiences can offer belonging, identity, and comfort during stressful times.
Cultural and spiritual practices are deeply personal and vary across communities. Depending on your culture or beliefs, connection might include:
- Prayer or quiet reflection
- Dancing, song, or chanting
- Visiting meaningful places or being on the land
- Practicing cultural traditions or storytelling
- Spending time with Elders, family, or community
There is no one “right” way to connect. What matters is what feels meaningful to you.
Reading & Reflection
Reading & Reflection
Reading can help you slow down and reconnect with yourself. It can help you learn new skills or feel less alone. Some people also connect with others by sharing books or talking about stories they enjoy.
Many people read self-help books, memoirs, or mental health resources during times of change. Fiction and uplifting stories can help too. Reading about topics you enjoy can bring comfort and hope.
Find Books & Resources
- Alaska Public Libraries Free access to books, audiobooks, and e-books
- Libby App Borrow e-books and audiobooks with a library card
- NAMI Reading Resources Mental health education and personal stories
Groups & community events
Connecting with others can help reduce isolation and build support. Groups don’t have to be intense or deeply personal. Simply sharing space around a common interest can help you feel more connected.
Ways to connect
- Activity or hobby groups (hiking clubs, art classes, game nights)
- Sober-friendly or recovery-friendly social events
- Peer-led or support-focused groups
- Cultural, spiritual, or traditional gatherings and events
Find activities near you
What’s available depends on location, but these tools can help you find options across Alaska:
- Recover Alaska – Events Calendar
Sober-friendly events and community gatherings statewide. - Local Parks & Recreation Departments
Classes, sports, and group activities in Anchorage, Mat-Su, Fairbanks, Juneau, and more. - Libraries & Community Centers
Book clubs, workshops, art classes, and low-cost events. - Online Platforms
Meetup, Facebook groups, and local bulletin boards often list informal activity groups.
Online connection
Online communities can offer support with less pressure and more flexibility. Many people start online before joining in-person spaces.
- Discord
An online platform with topic-based groups called servers. People connect around shared interests like wellness, hobbies, mental health, creativity, or recovery-friendly spaces. - Facebook Groups
Private and public groups focused on mental health, sobriety, hobbies, and personal growth. Groups can be local or interest-based. - The Trevor Project – Online Groups
Facilitated online support groups for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. - Gay and Sober
Daily online support meeting at 5:00 PM Alaska time. - Identity Alaska
Online gathering places for LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, parents, and elders.
Tips for getting started
Start small. One walk, one chapter, or one class is a great step.
Try different things. What works can change over time.
Look for low-pressure or sober-friendly spaces if that feels safer.
Mix quiet time and social time for balance.
Be patient with yourself. Feeling unsure at first is normal.
Go where your energy is appreciated, celebrated, and reciprocated. Your people are out there!