Ways To Prevent Boredom in Recovery

People living in recovery tend to have an issue when it comes to feeling bored. Have you been bored and started thinking about drinking again? Boredom can be a significant trigger for relapse in people who are living in recovery.

However, it’s normal, especially in early recovery. Think about it. You used to spend your time drinking or getting high, and now what do you do with your time? It takes some getting used to, but there are ways to avoid falling into a boredom-relapse trap.

Let’s look at some things you can do when you start to feel bored instead of falling into old patterns.

Exercise to prevent boredom  in drug and alcohol recovery

Any sort of physical activity is good for recovery. Exercise works on the same areas of the brain that addiction does. So, if you choose to work out instead of drink, your reward center in your brain will still be happy, and it’s a much healthier option. 

Exercise is not only good for when you get bored but also for when triggers pop up. If you start thinking that you want to have a drink, go to the gym and workout, or dive in a pool and swim laps. You’ll forget all the urges you have to drink or use after a few minutes of exercise.

Find a New Hobby to prevent boredom in recovery

Find a new hobby to fight off feelings of boredom. Think about trying something brand new. Is there something you’ve always wanted to try but have yet to do?

For example, you may want to take up crafting or scrapbooking. Or there’s a sport you’ve always wanted to learn. You could find a gym or fitness place, see if they offer any classes, and take a new class. When you get yourself a new hobby, you won’t have to worry about getting bored. You can play or practice your new sport or whatever you learned instead of having a drink.

Practice Mindfulness in recovery

Mindfulness is a good way to keep from being bored. One way to practice mindfulness when you feel bored is to practice meditation. Meditation is a great way to work on rebuilding neural pathways in the brain when you get sober. 

You can practice mindfulness throughout your day, too. For example, when you eat, chew your food thoroughly and concentrate on the tastes and flavors of each bite. 

Or when you are doing chores, notice what you can with your senses during it. 

By practicing mindfulness, you’ll be able to become more present, and you’ll be quick to notice when thoughts about drinking or using crop up.

Join Support Groups to prevent boredom in recovery

Most of the time, when you first get sober, you have to say goodbye to quite a few people in your life. So, you may need a new social support system. 

Joining your local support groups is a great way to find like-minded people in recovery to hang with. It’s good to find some new friends you can connect with in these places, as you know they will be on a recovery journey, too. 

So, if you start to feel bored, you could call one of the people you are friends with from your support groups.

Hire a Sober Companion From The Addictions Coach

If you’re concerned about boredom leading to a relapse, you should try some options to ward off boredom. If you are still worried about your recovery, then you should add an extra layer of help. You can get a sober coach. A sober coach is someone who has been where you are and can help you stay sober.

So, if you want extra help with your recovery, please don’t hesitate to contact The Addictions Coach and hire a sober coach to help with your recovery journey today.