Activities to do instead of gambling!

[BriM]

Hey guys,

Reckon it'd be awesome to create a list together of things we can do instead of gambling. This could be a great thing to check in on when you're feeling low, or trying to get rid of the urge to gamble.

I'll start.

- Go for a run
- Find a great healthy recipe, go buy the ingredients and cook (maybe invite a friend to join in)
- Get a pet
- Plant a vegie garden
- Get together with friends

Would love to have more suggestions from the users of this forum. Let's keep adding engaging and exciting things to this list!

Happy Monday,

Bri

[Anna]

Hey there

Play or learn an instrument

Spend some time with your family especially nephews, neices or kids

Watch a movie

Read a book (i just ordered 22 books)

Exercise heaps that way our too tired to gamble...

[Bull]

Play chess online!

Takes ages and it's challenging - 2 of the most important aspects that I love about poker!

[Anna]

Hmm if you play games online we could always gamble.

Facebook games were starting to get me off the real thing and they were FREE... or so i thought until i ran out of Free credits and started buying them. I wasnt even winning REAL money but i was losing it...

[Veronica (facilitator)]

Why not leave machines - poker machines, computers, smart phones etc - behind for a bit.

Do a Crossword puzzle.

Play solo card games e.g. Patience

Do a jigsaw puzzle - remember those, they take up hours.

Seeing you like a challenge Bull, how about you get a book of Menza Puzzles

[doug]

its always been a challenge for me, i'm a dreamer and i truly space off alot. so a 24 hour day for me has to basically used up in all sorts of ways.

i take lots of pictures. listen to alot of music, read some.. water my sunflowers and corn. Watch old westerns. clean house, wash clothes.

go to the beach for like the 1000th time lol. EAT..!!! Spend time with family of course. But its all about keeping my head filled with something,

i've always been a dreamer, fantasy nut/space off. And i will not and don't want to change that.

The challenge is that you have to always have plenty of options that take up alot of time available 24/7 365 days a year.

[Redav]

i read. get a good book and just read. helps me too because i was never good at school and was always a slow reader and speller so reading helps me learn a lot

[BriM]

Hi Doug, I'm the same as you - a bit of a dreamer, and never happy unless I'm occupied all the time! It can definitely be a challenge, and similarly it can be easy to get 'stuck' on something repetitive - like a game, or gambling. Hmm...I reckon the more active the thing that you're doing, the more easy it is to take your mind off gambling. I personally wouldn't feel restful sitting down to watch a movie - that's why I love running and cooking!

Redav, what are you reading at the moment?

[doug]

Brion. you made a good point that i had never reallly tought about.

That being getting stuck on something repetivive.

I will ponder on that, and try to expand my thinking.

Thanks

[Stephen M]

Do you think it's better to take on something that's kind of long-term like learning a musical instrument or a language or joining a sports club, so there's some commitment? Or is it easier if you do something smaller like just go for a walk or to a movie or something? Or do both work?

I'd be interested to hear what has actually worked for people and what people struggle with when they're trying to replace gambling with new things.

Cheers.

T