Just Another Sunday Posted On
There’s a lot of hype building around the upcoming Super Bowl, but if you’re in recovery, this could mean big problems. For those in recovery from problem gambling, watching the big game can be like someone in recovery from alcohol addiction entering a bar; it’s just better to avoid the situation. Well, you may be thinking, “what else is there to do?” There is nearly an infinite number of things we can do in place of watching the game. For a majority of people in our nation, it’s just another Sunday. If we think of the day as just another Sunday, the question is, what do people usually do on a Sunday?
Family Time
You could spend time with your family. Find a fun place to take your children. If they’re small, the temperature may be nice enough to go to a local park. If not, you can spend time doing things they like to do. Try drawing, playing with remote control vehicles, or their favorite video games. Cook meals together, and, perhaps, spend some time looking for new recipes together online. Keeping your time occupied with family is a great way to turn a potentially troubling day into a great day to reconnect with family.
Chore Day
If you’re like most people, you may have a list of unfinished chores that need attention. Get your oil changed, pick up the yard, put that fallen shelf back on the wall, or a basic pick-up of your home. Perhaps you’ve wanted to paint a room or two. Maybe you’ve been looking for time to rearrange some furniture to create a fitness area/room. These are all great things to, not only take your mind off the game, but to take care of things that may be lingering.
Focus on Yourself
It’s never a bad thing to look inward. Maybe it’s time to reconnect to yourself and to your thoughts. Read a book you’ve been meaning to read, or find a book on a topic you’ve been eager to learn. Find a local hike or nature trail to get outdoors and some fresh air. Take time to play and indulge in a hobby you’ve missed. Taking time for yourself would be a wonderful way to enjoy your day and relieve some stress.
Volunteer
There are so many people in need. You could volunteer at many different locations. You could help a local Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchen, food pantry, senior living home, children’s hospital, or many other locations. Volunteering helps people gain a higher sense of self worth, as well as a sense of pride and accomplishment. Reaching out and helping others can be a very emotionally liberating experience.
How?
A simple question with a more complex answer. There are some steps you can take to keep yourself on track, and away from the game.
- Decide how you’d like to spend your day. Think about what’s important to you. What have you been missing in your life? What would you like to accomplish with this additional time?
- Plan ahead. Make a plan ahead of time to make sure you’ve utilized the whole day to the fullest, and that you won’t have any time to slip back and turn on the game.
- Invite others to join you. Having other people to accompany you on your day’s adventures will obligate you to follow through with your plan, as others depend on your company for the planned excitement.
No matter how well you plan, we understand that Super Bowl weekend can be a very difficult time for someone struggling with problem gambling. If you or loved one needss support, or is showing signs of problem gambling, the NYS HOPEline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-877-8-HOPENY, or 1-877-846-7369.
Avoiding the game may seem difficult at first, maybe even impossible. Think about what you’d like to do, and follow the above steps to bring your day to reality. We hope you have a great Sunday!
