Many things can help you heal from addiction, but there are also numerous threats to your recovery that you must look out for. One of the most common threats to sobriety is boredom, something everyone experiences at different points in their life. The key to not letting boredom severely impact your sobriety is having a plan in place when it strikes. A plan will not only help you maintain your sobriety, but it can help you progress in your recovery as well.
If you find yourself getting bored in your recovery journey, especially after years in the process, these tips are for you.
It may seem silly to think of something as trivial as boredom to be threatening. However, this seemingly tiny issue can cause significant destruction in your healing process. This is because boredom allows the mind to wander, which can be triggering for some in recovery. Your thoughts may quickly turn to all the “good” times you had while using drugs or alcohol, you may begin remembering traumatizing memories, or you may feel the urge to fill your time by using drugs and alcohol again. This is why it is crucial to keeping yourself occupied with healthy, sober activities.
Even the most seasoned individuals in recovery will have experienced boredom from time to time that threatened their healing progress. This means that you have numerous individuals you can turn to for advice and support when sobriety becomes boring. You can go to support groups, talk to your sponsor, or reach out to recovery chat rooms online.
Reaching out to others will give you the proper support needed to get through this lull in your recovery. Remember, individuals in these groups or chat rooms can empathize with you because they have been through the same things. If anyone can give you practical advice, it’s the recovery community at large.
It can be easy to overlook specific triggers in recovery simply because you are accustomed to seeing them in your daily life. However, learning to be present through practicing mindfulness can help you slow down and identify these triggers that lead to boredom. When you practice mindfulness, you become more aware of yourself and the world around you. This allows you to identify better people, places, and things that may serve as a reminder of boredom and thus threaten your recovery.
You can practice mindfulness through meditation, breathwork, or simply by journaling. The more you practice it, the better you will become, and your recovery will progress even more.
You most likely didn’t spend a lot of time during active addiction participating in your favorite hobbies because you were so focused on getting your next fix, consuming drugs and alcohol, or recovering from use. However, recovery gives you the perfect opportunity to rediscover old passions and find new ones.
Fun activities can easily fill up your spare time, such as jigsaw puzzles, basketball, or even video games. When you feel bored is also the best time to step outside of your comfort zone and try something you’ve never done before. You may find a new passion, and you’ll boost your recovery while avoiding boredom.
Another excellent way to combat boredom is by volunteering. Not only will this fill your idle time, but you will also feel better after giving back to those in need. You can volunteer at support groups or treatment centers, but it is essential to remember that you don’t have to help out somewhere that has to do with addiction recovery. You can spend this time chasing your interests, such as giving time to an animal shelter or planting a community garden.
Whatever you decide, remember that you are doing a good thing not only for yourself but those around you as well.
Sometimes, boredom can stem from feeling down or depressed. You can fight these feelings by practicing self-care activities such as watching your favorite movie, going on a walk in the sunshine, or even cleaning your room. Self-care looks different for everyone, but the important thing is to find something that makes you feel better. Not only will this help fight against boredom, but you will also feel better and boost your self-esteem by doing so.
Start with small things such as complimenting yourself in the mirror or treating yourself to your favorite lunch. Over time you will see how to fill your spare moments with healthy activities and take care of yourself simultaneously.
Recovery is not all fun and games but rather hard work, persistence, and determination. It can be easy to feel burnt out and end up feeling bored, wondering if you should return to your old bad habits. However, it is essential to remember that you didn’t come this far for nothing. It is crucial to continue pressing forward even in the face of triggers such as boredom. If you need help overcoming boredom in your healing journey, NorthStar Transitions has your back. Our continuum of care doesn’t end when you leave rehab, but we have continuing levels of care to ensure your recovery needs are met. Depending on your journey, our sober living, outpatient therapy, or day treatment can help you address recovery boredom and get back on your feet. We implement a strong variety of somatic and experiential therapies to match your exact needs for a successful recovery. Call us today at (303) 558-6400 to learn more.
