In a recent entry, we offered five options for getting yourself reset when you are feeling stuck for one reason or another. They included a breathing exercise, some quick physical activities, and more.
In this entry, we will complete our list of 10 tips for getting back on track. These tips can be helpful for anyone—and especially helpful for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder so that boredom or loneliness or other emotions that might sap your motivation do not point you toward a return to drugs or alcohol.
Cue Up Your Favorite Song
Even if you frequently play music in the background when you are on the job or when you are doing projects around the house, sometimes a good way to get unstuck is to stop what you are doing and really listen to a song or other piece of music you truly enjoy. If you pick something with lyrics, it can even be helpful to sing along—even if you are not a good singer. Though you might think twice about this at the office!
Remember, for the duration of the song or piece, you want to just listen. Don’t multitask. The little break can get you going once again. And intentional, focused listening can be quite enjoyable. It can be easy to forget that in a world filled with background music.
Work On a Puzzle
Sometimes you might feel stuck because your brain is trying to run off in a variety of directions all at once. Regaining some focus can be a good way to quiet all of those scurrying thoughts. One way to try to refocus is to work on a quick puzzle—or part of a larger puzzle—for a few minutes. There are plenty of options, and you should be able to find something that is pleasantly challenging without being frustrating.
Whether you tackle a word puzzle (like a crossword of Wordle), a number puzzle (like Sudoku), or a jigsaw puzzle, the activity can be satisfying and help get you unstuck. Once you find the sort of puzzle that you most enjoy, this can be an ongoing strategy when you find yourself having trouble focusing.
Read Something You Enjoy
Even if you spend a lot of time reading on your various devices (odds are you are doing that very thing to read this blog!), it can be helpful to turn away from the screens and either read something in a physical format (anything from graphic novels to epic poems) or to listen to something on audio (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.). Getting engrossed in something for a little while can help you move forward from those moments when you feel undermotivated and need a break.
It is important that you read or listen to something you enjoy. There is no need to think of this as a homework assignment for which you must listen to classic literature (unless you really dig it!) or thorny nonfiction titles (again, unless that is what you enjoy!).
Write In Your Journal
We are convinced that journaling is a wonderful activity for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder. How convinced? Convinced enough that we wrote about it here. And here. And also here, here, here, and here.
If you read those past entries, you will find all sorts of reasons to journal in recovery—and all sorts of ideas for getting started. For our purposes here, however, we want to note that taking a few minutes to write down how you are feeling or what thoughts are swirling in your head can be an effective way to move on from whatever has you stuck in the moment. Your journal is just for you, so you don’t need to hold back or judge yourself. Just use it as a way to break through a block so you can move on to the next thing.
Make a Quick Call to a Friend
We acknowledge that more and more people seem more and more averse to talking on the phone. Still, a quick call—even a call with a set time limit like, say, eight minutes—to a friend can provide what you need to get your mind unstuck and give your mood a boost. After all, strong relationships are good for everyone—and can be particularly important to a person in recovery from a substance use disorder. Reaching out to a good friend is always a good move.
What do to about those friends who are less comfortable on the phone? Zap them a text in advance to ask if they have a few minutes just to shoot the breeze.
Let’s Get Your Life Restarted Without Drugs or Alcohol
Located near St. Louis, Missouri, The Aviary Recovery Center is consistently recognized as one of the best substance use recovery facilities in the country. That means you can count on our experience, expertise, and empathy as we bring to bear evidence-based practices personalized for your specific needs.
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, there is nothing more important than resetting your life and putting substances in the rearview mirror. When you are ready to make a change for the better, we are ready to help you reach your goals.
