Many people living in one day at a time recovery understand the reality, and the purpose of helpful distraction. We understand the need for helpful distraction when our anxiety levels become too difficult to deal with turning our downtimes into obsessive worry and panic attacks. Often we realize we need to breathe deeply and catch our breath. We do this for a bit, and then turn the worry, fretting and obsessing over to God, the spirit or the universe. In letting it go, experience has taught us to partake in helpful distraction. Perhaps we play a game or go for a drive and get an ice-cream with someone close to us. Maybe we take a walk. Another tool is that we tune the walk up into a run or another form of a more challenging exercise. Also, we can join another recovering friend for a decaf. Purposeful and helpful distraction is a gift. We need to be able to let go. It keeps us healthy. Peace.
