Like any other emotion, boredom isn’t inherently “bad” or “wrong.” All emotions serve a purpose; They’re signposts, pointing us toward something that needs our attention. The truth is, boredom is an incredibly uncomfortable state for many of us, and the lengths people would go to avoid feeling it may surprise you. Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Danny moved to Denver to study at the University of Colorado and earned a master’s degree in counseling. Danny spent the first nine years of his career working in youth residential treatment.
What Causes Boredom and Why It Triggers Drinking
- It’s almost as if life itself is inviting us to embrace difficulty—not as punishment but as a design feature.
- The more you try not to think about it the more it comes into your mind.
- Regardless of the intent, there are significant health implications that arguably make alcohol the most dangerous substance on the market.
- Next time you feel bored, take a few minutes to think about how you’d really like to be spending that time.
- No one writes getting slightly boozed whenever possible because I don’t find things as exciting as I did when I was a child.
A drink or two while bored might make you too tired or too wary of driving to meet your friends. Hobbies give you goals, and if you especially enjoy them, you’ll be motivated to reach these goals. Without hobbies, it’s more tempting to take the easier route of having a drink. Sure, having a single drink while alone might not seem like a problem if you eat well and exercise. But if you add it to the drinks you have with friends and that everyday glass of wine with dinner, your total number of weekly drinks can increase rapidly. Many bored drinkers likely don’t realize they’re bored drinkers.
Resist Bored Drinking with Sunnyside
And if you’re sensitive to caffeine, decaf is always an option. Our Treatment Advisors are available 24 hours a day to help you or a loved one access care. We’re ready to make sure you have the support you need to achieve lifelong recovery. Exercise is widely recognized as a natural mood booster and can help combat boredom or depression.
Ways to Stop Eating When You’re Bored
And boredom can become the empty space where that question echoes the loudest. However, in our day, most of us don’t need to fight for food or shelter. Christy Schuett, originally from Aberdeen, South Dakota, holds a master’s degree in counseling from Northern State University. Her journey began with crisis intervention for families, evolving into roles in community counseling, corrections, and residential facilities. When he’s off the clock, Chandler is equal parts maker and explorer—reading, crocheting, gaming, crafting, puzzling, hiking, rafting, and snowboarding. If we held an office talent show, he’d try to win it with comedy.
I’m bored of going out & drinking. Is it because I am getting older?
But I’m going to explore solutions for people who sit at various points along the “sobriety is so boring” spectrum. It’s not as simple as “getting out there” and “trying something new.” It’s hard to do that when you suffer from extreme depression and anhedonia. The very things you should be doing to feel better require a level of motivation you might not be able to fathom.
Poor emotional regulation could potentially lead to an increase in eating when you’re feeling bored (22, 23). Another way to fill i drink because I am bored 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.
Perfect for anyone who’s bored at work, school, or home. A doctor can recommend a safe schedule for tapering off alcohol consumption and advise on which symptoms to look out for. Pfattheicher, S., Lazarević, L. B., Westgate, E. C., & Schindler, S.
Does Alcohol Really Relieve Boredom?
If you’re a reader you should be surrounded by books that you haven’t read so you can go and read those. If you’re an artist you can always go and paint; if you’re a gamer there’s always going to be a game that you can play. These are the things where there’s not an infinite amount of leeway in them, I mean, if you sit and do these things all the time you’re going to be bored with them. You need to reset your reward pathways and that’s not going to be possible as long as you are drinking alcohol.
Take Control of Your Life
For some people, drinking alcohol is a big part of many social situations. It can be difficult to meet friends and family without being around alcohol, and that can lead to loneliness after quitting. At Recovery Centers of amphetamine addiction treatment America, we offer a range of programs for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. From addiction treatment to aftercare and alumni programs to weekly events and meetings, we are committed to helping you every step of the way. Experts have also suggested that how well you regulate your emotions can influence boredom eating.
In another life, he’s pretty sure he was a Viking explorer—and he might still lobby for a holiday that celebrates Viking culture. The horrible irony to all of this is that alcohol amplifies loneliness. Once you have really looked at your habits, consider alternative solutions.
- This is the part where you figure out how to enjoy life without a little something extra to help loosen you up.
- This can lead to feelings of extreme boredom and apathy.
- Other research has considered attention as a key aspect of boredom as people often report they struggle to pay attention when bored or start daydreaming or mind-wandering.
- When serotonin and dopamine levels are low, we become less motivated and less interested in our surroundings.
- Boredom has an emotional quality to it, and cognitive behavioral therapy teaches that feelings are an outgrowth of thoughts.
Part of it https://shannontst.tessellagrid.com/going-green-25-simple-ways-to-live-greener-in-2024/ is definitely that I’ve had a rough month and struggle with depression, but another part is simply that it’s a slow day. Just imagining the next few hours slowly creeping by – with nothing but my thoughts to occupy me – really makes me crave that drink. Another aspect of boredom is focus, so if you’re in your own home, then you should have plenty to do.