Living Substance Free: How to Cope With Boredom in Recovery
Boredom is a normal human experience, but it can be a formidable threat for people in addiction recovery. Feelings of boredom can increase the risk of substitute addictions, hazardous decisions, and relapse, especially for those in the early stages of adopting a sober lifestyle. When you feel indifferent or restless, it may be tempting to return to old, familiar behaviors, regardless of the consequences, but the key to long-lasting recovery is learning how to replace those former patterns with healthier coping mechanisms. That’s why we’ve rounded up this list of our 5 most helpful strategies for dealing with boredom in recovery—keep reading to learn more.
5 Ways to Combat Sober Boredom in Recovery
Pause and Take a Deep Breath
If you’re just starting your sobriety journey, it can be difficult to adjust to new routines that don’t include drugs or alcohol and suddenly having unfulfilled free time and space may feel unsettling. Boredom is an experience usually associated with under-stimulation and apathy. When you feel it taking over, you can take a moment to pause and check in with your breathing. Remind yourself that boredom is a temporary feeling, and like many other emotional sensations, it too will eventually pass.
Investigate Your Boredom
Boredom is a passing feeling, yes, but that doesn’t mean it should be looked upon negatively or ignored. Getting in touch with your boredom on a deeper level can be a great opportunity for strengthening your self-awareness and preventing the risk of future relapse. Think of your boredom as a kind messenger or a friend rather than an enemy—after all, feeling bored isn’t necessarily a negative thing! When you feel restless, ask yourself—what about your situation has changed that’s caused your usual interests or activities to become inadequate? Look at your boredom as a blank canvas and try to explore, without judgment, what this feeling is trying to bring your attention to.
→ Looking for mindset and reflection tools to build your self-awareness and support your sober journey? Download our free Recovery SMART goals workbook here.
Phone a Friend (or Loved One)
When feelings of restlessness strike, talking through your emotions can help. One way to distract your mind from the weight of boredom is to call up a close friend or loved one. If you aren’t comfortable talking about what you’re currently feeling, you can always discuss other topics.
Finding friends who share an interest in a sober lifestyle can feel intimidating, but it may be easier for you to open up to someone who can relate to your experience. You might consider joining a sobriety support group or meetup program to surround yourself with others who have a similar mindset and goals. Spending time volunteering in your community can also bring about a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. No matter how this looks for you, engaging socially and refocusing your attention, even if only for a moment, can have a big impact on your ability to cope with boredom in recovery.
If you are in Twin Falls, Idaho, make sure to check out the Booze-Free Fun friends group to meet like-minded people.
Speak With a Counselor
After getting sober from drugs or alcohol, the inertia of everyday life may seem uninspiring or dull and it can feel challenging to shift your mindset under these newfound circumstances. Recovering from addiction is an ongoing journey that requires support and guidance, and there's no shame in reaching out for help along the way.
Just as talking with a friend or loved one may offer a deviation from the feelings of indifference, talking with a trained professional can give you a safe and supportive environment, as well as the tools and resources to confront your boredom and find peace within its monotony.
Discover New Hobbies and Interests
A hard truth of recovery is that some of the hobbies and interests that entertained you before entering treatment may not be conducive to a sober lifestyle. Negative influences or triggering environments may push you to seek out new forms of enjoyment or you may simply find that your interest isn’t being held by the activities that you formerly enjoyed. The good news is—it’s never too late to learn a new hobby or skill. Whether it’s learning a foreign language or discovering how to knit, expanding your horizons through activities that fulfill you can alleviate sober boredom and invite new opportunities into your life.
Overcome Sober Boredom With These Activities
Struggling with boredom on your journey to recovery? The Walker Center is a rehabilitation center with two locations in Gooding and Twin Falls, Idaho that provides compassionate and supportive mental health services in addition to inpatient/outpatient addiction treatment.
Get in touch for a confidential consultation today.
