Boredom can be a frequent issue during recovery. Sometimes you may have a hard time sitting still, and other times you may have more time on your hands than anticipated. There is no shame in recognizing that you have a lot more time on your hands than you anticipated. Fortunately, simple ways exist to help you overcome boredom. These simple strategies include using healthy coping skills, practicing mindfulness, participating in sober activities, and cultivating healthy relationships. All of these strategies can be found by participating in The Guest House’s alumni program.
This blog post will explore how an alumni program may be a solution to help you overcome boredom. Additionally, this blog post will cover how The Guest House can benefit you and explain four ways an alumni program can help you overcome boredom.
What Causes Boredom in Recovery?
Boredom itself is not a bad thing to feel. However, this feeling can lead to destructive behaviors during recovery. Every person gets bored at some point in their recovery. Recognizing how boredom affects you, though, can be the difference between relapse and recovery. Identifying your boredom triggers is essential for allowing you to overcome boredom in healthy and positive ways. Some of your boredom triggers might be:
- A lack of routine: It can be detrimental to your recovery to neglect structure in your daily life. Transitioning away from a lifestyle that was dominated by substance use can leave a void in your life. A lack of structure leaves room open for idle time that you may fill in counterproductive ways.
- Isolation: Losing connections and not maintaining positive support can greatly contribute to boredom in recovery and lead to negative behaviors.
- A lack of positive support people: Healthy support people are important in recovery. After all, connection is a key factor in overcoming boredom. You need to surround yourself with supportive people who have your best interests in mind.
By addressing the underlying factors involved in boredom, you can address the root of the problem and correct your thought processes. This allows you to more easily meet your goals in recovery. Exploring positive ways to overcome boredom will help you move forward and find long-term success in abstaining from substances.
# 1. Foster Healthy Relationships to Overcome Boredom
A healthy support system is crucial for maintaining recovery and learning ways to overcome boredom in recovery. Social connections provide stability, accountability, and opportunities to engage in activities that support your recovery. For example, The Guest House offers an alumni program that uses a strength-based approach to foster positive and healthy connections during recovery.
Joining a support group in recovery will strengthen your ability to recognize the areas you need to address to overcome boredom. Additionally, a support group provides a place of comfort and connection in your recovery. There are many options to choose from when wanting support to build healthy relationships in recovery. A popular option is a 12-Step program meeting. You can also find options to attend online meetings from the comfort of your own home.
# 2. Engage in Sober Activities
Engaging in sober activities is a powerful way to overcome any moments that boredom may creep into. Take some time to delve into new interests or hobbies. Find something new that works for your schedule; pursue an activity you have always wanted to try. Engaging in such activities brings a sense of joy and can help you overcome boredom. These activities will give you a sense of purpose and perhaps even a chance to rediscover yourself.
# 3. Try Something New to Overcome Boredom
At any point, boredom may creep into your recovery. You may find yourself busy with daily activities. Then one day, you discover that you are lacking purpose in recovery. On the other hand, the struggle may be in finding enjoyment out of sober activities. Whatever the case is, these experiences can be discouraging and threaten your recovery goals.
However, you can find an activity that will lead you to overcome boredom. Trying new things will put you on a path to freedom in recovery. New activities can be extensive or simple. You do not have to commit yourself right away. Simply explore what works for you to overcome boredom. Some things you might try include:
- Taking a walk
- Joining a gym
- Creating a schedule
- Planning a day trip
- Creating art
- Beginning a journal
- Creating a music diary
Whatever activity you choose, do it with consistency. The first time you try it may be uncomfortable. However, with each additional attempt, it will get easier. Not everything is going to be satisfying; still, it may be worth trying. If you need professional support, an individual therapist may be a good fit for you.
# 4. Practice Mindfulness to Overcome Boredom
Mindfulness practices teach the art of being completely aware and fully present to oneself and the surroundings. These techniques can also help you to become less reactive or overwhelmed by life’s circumstances. When you practice mindfulness, you can start to feel more in touch with the world around you through your senses. Paying more attention to your thoughts and feelings helps you recognize unwanted thoughts before they become intense emotions.
A popular way to overcome boredom and practice mindfulness is to meditate. Meditation has been recommended for recovery due to the ways that meditation is able to reroute the brain’s neural pathways. When sitting with boredom in meditation, boredom loses its power, becoming instead an empowered space of freedom.
You’ve spent many hours in addictive addiction. Most likely, you recognize all the free time you now have and find yourself getting bored often. When boredom creeps in, you may struggle to eliminate it. However, by participating in an alumni program, you may find boredom easier to overcome. It can be hard to decide how to overcome boredom and determine what will work for you. At The Guest House, we are committed to your recovery. Our goal is to meet every person right where they are at, no matter what their journey looks like. If you or someone you know is struggling to overcome boredom during recovery, please give us a call at (855) 483-7800 today.