Tracking your alcohol consumption can help you identify patterns and situations that lead to boredom drinking. Boredom and binge drinking often go hand-in-hand, as drinking alcohol to pass the time and relieve boredom is a common occurrence. Experts have also suggested that how well you regulate your emotions can influence boredom eating. Poor emotional regulation could potentially lead to an increase in eating when you’re feeling bored (22, 23). I loved Catherine’s honest and heartbreaking account of how booze affected her relationships, health and career as a magazine journalist.
- I got an essential oil diffuser, I got really nice sheets and pillows.
- Everywhere I turn, there’s a virtual cocktail hour.
- What interests do they have that you admire?
- Also, if you have that extra drink, Sunnyside lets you interact with others who struggle with bored drinking.
- Always have a list of people that support your recovery available.
- You can read a novel that is not about subprime.
Sobriety itself isn’t boring
It’s pretty normal to reduce the entire experience of boredom in sobriety to missing alcohol and believing that getting drunk is the primary way you (and everyone else) have fun. Boredom can indeed lead to cravings for alcohol, but it doesn’t have to be this way. With understanding and a few targeted strategies, you can retrain your brain to seek healthier, more fulfilling ways to escape boredom. Boredom, a state we’ve all experienced, can be a tricky beast. But remember that, scientifically, boredom is an emotion — just like appiness or sadness. It typically occurs when we find ourselves disengaged from what’s going on around us or when there’s a lack of interest or enjoyment in our activities.
Lifestyle Quizzes
You may eat simply as a way to escape the regular routines of the day (38, 39). Some studies have found that people tend to eat more than they otherwise would when they’re distracted or in front of a screen, such as a drinking out of boredom TV or computer (35, 36, 37). Being perceptive of your specific hunger and fullness signs may be one of the most effective ways to determine whether you’re hungry or bored. Researchers know that your emotions and mood often influence when, what, and how much you eat (20, 21). If you find you’re more susceptible to food cravings, depriving yourself of certain foods might make you crave them more in the short term (6, 7, 8).
How to Stop Drinking Out of Boredom
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, your doctor may even recommend medication to help treat depression and anxiety. But I’m going to explore solutions for people who sit at various points along the “sobriety is so boring” spectrum. Take what applies to you and leave whatever doesn’t. 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. My social circle changed when I got sober because I realized that many of my relationships were based on getting drunk together, and that was it.
How can I identify my boredom drinking triggers?
Looking ahead, businesses need to rethink how they cater to a generation drinking less alcohol. Some businesses, like With Grace Marketplace — a bottle shop specializing in alcohol-free alternatives — are already doing this. As digital natives, Gen Z and millennials are acutely aware of the lasting impact of their digital footprints. What sets Gen Z apart is that this change appears to be more than a passing trend. As researchers in consumer behaviour, we study the factors that influence and drive changes in consumer choices.
- As part of your daily “boredom prevention plan,” schedule a reward for not drinking when you otherwise would.
- And if you routinely drink on other occasions too, you’ll experience worse sleep disruptions.
- Always have a backup soft drink just in case you reach the bar and they are out of stock.
- By engaging in creative pursuits and learning new skills, you can effectively replace boredom drinking with more fulfilling and enjoyable activities.