The winter months often meet a halt to favorite outdoor activities. This shift in routine, coupled with earlier darkness and cold temperatures, can lead to SAD. Regularly consuming alcohol when you’re bored has both short-term and long-term effects on your health, even if it doesn’t lead to a drinking disorder.
I drink because I’m anxious and I want to numb the feeling
If you find yourself reaching for a drink whenever you’re bored or looking to kill time, you should stop and take measures to correct these tendencies early before they become problematic. Another way to fill time meaningfully is by connecting with others. Socializing doesn’t have to involve alcohol, and there are many ways to engage with friends, family, or new acquaintances in a sober setting. Whether it’s a game night, book club, or even a group walk, spending time with others can make the days feel more fulfilling and purposeful. Now someone said, and I think it’s so true, that the most important thing you can do when you’re not drinking, to avoid boredom and for emotional support, is making connections. And I know it’s hard as grown women, it is difficult to put yourself out there you feel like everyone already has friends.
TALK TO SOMEONE
If “for no reason” pops up frequently in your list, it might help to seek a CBT professional to understand your why in those situations. The signs of alcohol abuse aren’t always obvious. Boredom is a big danger area when we’re trying to quit. When drinking becomes habitual, it eventually becomes the default choice, maybe the only choice. Getting pissed is the default choice when we’re feeling happy, sad, tired, bored, grumpy, angry, or bored.
How To Use First Principles Thinking To Get Control Of Your Drinking
And if I did nothing else, I was like, Okay, I did that today. And frankly, after years of drinking, I was really out of shape. And I wanted to get more healthy while I was not drinking. So it hit everything I needed to do to drinking out of boredom keep me amused.
- If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, we can help.
- Jill is an avid photographer and particularly enjoys Colorado sunsets.
- We feel bad about being bored because if you compare it to other uncomfortable emotions, let’s say pain or nausea or disgust, we feel like boredom shouldn’t be a problem.
- However, if you are able to schedule your time, it can be a game-changer.
How do I stop drinking out of boredom?
Be ready for these moments when they arrive, and they will, give yourself a wry smile, then make the choice that fits with your goals. One source of unhappiness is, unsurprisingly, boredom. Sitting in traffic, for instance, is one of those things that most people would rather forego. Other tasks like laundry and cleaning the house can cause boredom and be a source of anxiety. Often, it really comes down to being willing to do something that doesn’t entertain you or make you feel good immediately.