You’ve worked hard to get where you are in your recovery, and the last thing you want is for something as simple as boredom to set you back. Boredom can be a big trigger for relapse because your mind starts to wander and you may slip back into old routines. Along the same lines, always doing the same thing and getting yourself stuck in a rut can lead to boredom and making poor choices as well. It’s all about finding balance, staying active, and keeping up your motivation.
Tips for Staving Off Boredom
Create a routine. This provides structure for each day and keeps you from having long periods of downtime. It gives you something to look forward to as well and can reduce anxiousness because you know what to expect. While there are many things in life that are out of your control, having some sense of routine and schedule is something you can control.
Change things up. While routine is a good thing, you don’t want get stuck in a rut where every day become boring and redundant. Give yourself some flexibility and switch up activities from time to time. Instead of going for a bike ride, maybe you decide to sign up for tennis lessons instead. Or you invite friends over for a game night. Change can be good to keep you motivated and engaged.
Try something new. Have you always wanted to try your hand at painting or photography? Are you interested in volunteering with animals? Give it a try! You never know what you may enjoy and connect with. Let yourself explore healthy interests and make new friends who share similar hobbies. It can also be motivating to set new goals for yourself as you improve your skills or get more involved.
Schedule time with friends. Isolation and boredom can go hand-in-hand. While you may feel like avoiding social situations all together can help you to steer clear of temptation, it can actually work against you. Plan get togethers with friends but ensure they’ll be in a safe, substance free environment. Spend time with people who respect and support your recovery and encourage you to keep moving forward.
Set goals for yourself. Goals can be a wonderful source of motivation because they give you something to continually be working toward. Set short- and long-term goals for yourself and track your progress. Reward yourself for meeting these goals and then set new ones to keep you going. Keep your goals realistic and make sure they’re things you’re doing for yourself, not because you think it’s what others want to see from you. Making them personal and meaningful can give you more drive to succeed.
Turn to your support network. If you feel like you’re starting to fall into a rut or become bored, ask for help from those you trust. Seek out friends who will try new activities with you and remind you of all you have achieved. Ask for ideas from others in recovery about how you can change things up while still staying on track.
Participating in a residential treatment program at Crossroads can help you to focus your efforts and develop a relapse prevention plan that meets your needs. Learn more about underlying causes of addiction and the impact on your life while creating healthier routines and working through challenges in a comprehensive program. With the right support and resources, you can reduce risk of relapse and thrive in recovery.
[cta]Could you use support and guidance to stay focused on recovery and reduce risk of relapse? Contact Crossroads today to see how we can help.[/cta]
