Right now, 22 million Americans are in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction. Dealing with boredom in recovery is one of the biggest causes of relapse.
Boredom is a dangerous state of mind that can open up the floodgates to behaviors that are harmful and addicting. Especially when a person is in the delicate state of new sobriety.
But there is hope! Read on for the best ways you can deal with boredom in recovery in productive ways.
Unplug
So many people try coping with boredom by turning to electronic devices. They surf the net or social media sites or binge watch entire seasons on Netflix.
But though staring at a screen may seem like a good way to preoccupy yourself, the truth is you may be experiencing sensory overload. This reduces your ability to focus on anything for any length of time.
Plus, when you are staring at a screen, you aren’t living your life, you are just passively taking in information.
Take a look at your screen habits and set some boundaries. Start by powering off for an hour at the same time every day.
You could also set rules about how much time you will spend scrolling Facebook. A timer is a great way to stick to your goals.
As you unplug, your ability to focus and think clearly will improve. And you’ll find that when you are bored, you’ll be better able to find productive activities to turn to.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you focus on the current moment without worrying about the future or ruminating on the past.
Boredom and addiction go hand-in-hand because boredom opens up a window for self-doubt and negative self-talk.
Mindfulness is one of the best tips for dealing with boredom in recovery. Meditation is a wonderful way that you can begin to become more mindful.
It may sound easy, but takes a lot of practice to successfully do for any length of time.
Best of all, as you start to pay attention to what you see, smell, hear and feel, the world becomes a richer and more fascinating place.
Hit the Gym
Exercise is the cure for so many of life’s ailments.
Trouble sleeping? Aches and pains? Low sex drive?
Exercise helps with all of these. When you are dealing with boredom in recovery, you are likely feeling pessimistic.
Exercise sends a rush of endorphins to your brain. Then, you experience a natural euphoric state that helps you feel good about yourself and your life.
So hit the gym and leave it all on the floor. You’ll get rid of some nervous energy and improve how your mind and body feel as well.
Try a New Hobby
You have heard that removing an addiction is not enough. You also need to replace that with new habits and interests.
One of the best ways of dealing with boredom in recovery is to find a new hobby or interest.
There must be something you’ve always found interesting but never done. Maybe you can take up rowing or woodworking.
Perhaps you’d love to learn how to quilt. Or you might want to finally learn Portuguese or cake decorating.
It really doesn’t matter what hobby you choose. A new interest will improve your mental health and focus.
Not to mention that it’s a great way to start new friendships. Look for local groups or classes and get involved.
Create a Daily Schedule
One of the best ways that you can learn how to deal with boredom is to create a schedule for yourself.
A large part of being bored is having no clear idea of what you should do next. Having a schedule keeps you on track and engaged with your activities.
Include meal prep and cooking healthy enjoyable meals. Make sure you schedule in a daily walk or spending time outdoors gardening or reading.
Set aside time to write in your journal and connect with your support group. And add in time for volunteering and learning new skills.
Set a Goal and Work Towards it
People who are goal-oriented have a purpose for their lives. And it doesn’t have to be a huge life-changing goal, either.
It can be a fitness goal like train for and run a marathon. Or it can be something like take a cooking class and learn how to cook Italian food.
The best thing is if you can make your goal measurable and give yourself a deadline. Six months to a year is often a good timeframe. Longer and you may get discouraged, too short and you may not have enough time to reach your goal.
Having a goal is an excellent way of coping with boredom during recovery.
Get Outside Your Comfort Zone
Former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt said: “Do one thing every day that scares you.”
When you force yourself to get outside of your comfort zone, you stretch your limits and grow as a person. If you’re shy to talk to new people, start up a conversation in the grocery checkout line.
If you’re afraid of public speaking, join an improv club or a debate team. The result is that you will become a more courageous and adventurous person. And that will serve you well in your new life of sobriety.
Final Thoughts on Boredom in Recovery
Thanks for reading. As you can see boredom in recovery is manageable. There are so many proactive approaches you can take when dealing with boredom.
Do you have questions about addiction, treatment or scheduling an intervention? Contact us today and get the help you deserve.
References
Ashford, R. D., & Canode, B. (2018, August 29). It’s time to measure addiction recovery rates, not just addiction rates. Retrieved from https://www.statnews.com/2018/08/30/measure-addiction-recovery-rates/
Bennett, C. (2011, December 01). The 4 Most Common Causes Of Addiction Relapse. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dispositions-of-relapse_n_988137
