So drinking because you’re bored isn’t doing much for you in the long run. Instead, you should find ways to cope with your boredom that keep you productively occupied and are more fulfilling. The average adult experiences bored drinking around 131 days of boredom per year, so how you react to this boredom is critical to your mental health. If you justify to yourself, “I drink when I’m bored,” it can quickly lead to overindulgence and health concerns.
I drank non-alcoholic drinks
Drinking out of boredom because you feel anxious is likely to make you feel worse because alcohol is a depressant, so if you are already feeling low, it makes those feelings more extreme. It’s very common for people, especially those with additional mental health issues like depression and anxiety, to drink out of boredom. People often use alcohol to enhance experiences, but this kind of drinking is problematic because it makes you dependent on alcohol to not feel bored or to have a good time. For example, most people drink at concerts, sports events or parties to transform their experience and heighten the moment.
- In this article, we’ll unpack bored drinking and help you figure out whether boredom is a drinking trigger.
- Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice.
- Look for jazz cafés, open mic nights, or community bands playing.
- It will open your eyes to what other people do and it’ll be good for you.
- Here are 13 simple tips to keep from eating when you’re bored.
What Are Better Ways to Cope With Boredom?
Even though we’re not traveling right now, I rented a farmhouse two hours away from me that I’m just going to go to just for a change of pace. I’m going to sit on the front porch, and rock. I’m going to make a picnic and go to the waterfront. I’m going to drink coffee and read good books in a house without my kids and without my chores. And I pinned a picture of that farmhouse to my vision board to look at for an entire month.
- Try and find ways to build other people into your daily patterns.
- Sunnyside is the leading alcohol health platform focused on moderation and mindfulness, not sobriety.
- To avoid overeating and letting boredom get the best of your appetite in those moments, portion your snacks onto a plate or serving dish rather than eating them directly from the bag or container.
- Let people know you want to see more of them.
- One source of unhappiness is, unsurprisingly, boredom.
- Simply asking these questions might be enough to take the edge off the urge to drink.
Try different drinks
Planning interactions according to “Sober in Seven” can help reduce feelings of loneliness and prevent reliance on alcohol. Having a list of supportive contacts is beneficial because it can provide you with immediate access to people who will encourage and support you on your journey to recovery. So for a woman who loves to multitask and likes to check things off the list.
- And you only need to take the first step.
- Finding a new activity and hobby such as working out can provide something to look forward to each day.
- Stress, anxiety, and loneliness can all be potential triggers for boredom drinking.
- But it will lift little by little and new interests and joy will come into the picture.
- Nate Denning is the Lead Admission Representative at AspenRidge Recovery.
By recognizing your emotions and thought patterns, you can uncover the triggers for boredom drinking, empowering you to make positive changes in your life. Journaling, self-reflection, and mindfulness can help you gain an understanding of your triggers for boredom drinking, enabling you to take proactive steps to prevent boredom drinking and stay sober. Thank you for listening to this episode of The Hello Someday Podcast.
I’m so incredibly, and dreadfully bored.
