First of all, everyone who seeks help with their addiction is a hero. Admitting you have an issue and asking for a helping hand is a truly heroic act. No matter why you’re dealing with addiction and what your hook is, it’s admirable that you’re here.
So, what is addiction? Addiction is defined as any form of compulsive attraction directed towards an activity or substance. This type of obsession is not innate but acquired. And everything that’s learned can be unlearnt.
Focus on Growth
After acceptance, the next stage is learning to be prospective. It might sound naïve, but believing that you can make it plays a vital role in your progress.
Once you’re resolute on quitting bad habits, you should shift focus to other things. Those could be anything from physical activities and meditation to arts & crafts. Think of skills that you’ve been wanting to learn for a while. Why haven’t you been able to put yourself into developing it? It is likely due to spending time on your addiction. But now that you have moved on, you can freely commit yourself to new stimuli in your life.
Some people are addicted to work, with long-hour culture surging more than ever. In this particular instance, it is crucial to concentrate on what makes you – you. Pursue your hobbies and interests, and devote time to improving different, new skills.
Get Physical
Speaking of distractions, one of the best ways to diverting attention from addiction is being physically active. Removing oneself physically from the source of fixation forces you against thinking about it.
Making daily walks a habit is one way to deal with this issue. Both your physical and mental health will benefit from taking regular strolls. This is especially true if walking isn’t currently part of your daily routine.
If you need a hardcore distraction, working out is recommended. Browse the web for workout plans or look up a personal coach. While lockdown hasn’t been pleasant, it incentivized many PTs to launch apps with customized exercise plans that you can purchase online.
In short, ways to get physical to fight addiction are next to limitless. And you’re already ahead of the game since you’re reading this!
Self-Exclusion
Depending on the type of addiction, people seek various forms of rehab. To exemplify, if you’re addicted to a substance or overeating, the obvious way to leave it behind is by quitting it. There are designated programs readily available for people who need to surrender unhealthy habits with the help of others.
On the other hand, gambling can be addictive, too. This form of adult entertainment is in its essence appealing and a great way to take the edge off. But as with most things involving money, it can easily turn into a vicious cycle of overspending.
If you find that you’re no longer enjoying gambling online, you can read about some helpful self-exclusion tools right here. Anti-gambling software deals with your addiction. By installing and activating any of these apps, you’re blocking gambling sites from your devices for good.
There isn’t a way to go back to your old ways or indulge in occasional betting. So, if you are resolved to quit casinos, anti-gambling software helps. Plus, these programs are often free, as you’ll see in the article above.
Back to Basics
Loud and fast lifestyles eventually drive most people to overburn. And the best antidote to overconsumption is the natural world.
Reconnecting with nature was advocated by famous American author Ralph Waldo Emerson. As early as the 19th century, when the technology wasn’t yet as advanced at all, the essayist noticed that the everyday rush drove him away from his inner being. In an attempt to understand his true self, Emerson secluded himself in a forest cottage in the wild.
While this extreme approach won’t work for everyone for many reasons, everyone can afford hiking or a road trip to a nearby village a couple of times a month. You would be surprised to see how much nature has to offer to anyone who asks for help.
If you think of recovering from addiction as diverting your focus from the unhealthy past, turning to healthy environments is arguably one of the most nourishing paths to take.
Stay Consistent
Lastly, when in trouble, one must resort to clichés. “Read that again” is probably the most hated sentence on the internet. However, it’s still relevant and it works.
Continually sticking to your new, healthier ways and reminding oneself how long you’ve come will inspire you to thrive further. Being unstoppable is what you become over time; it doesn’t happen overnight.
By showing up every day, staying consistent in your battle against addiction is how you prove to yourself that you’re strong enough to conquer your demons. Addiction can be dangerous, and you’re already proving bravery by fighting against it.