Things to do, Ideas for how to distract yourself....
Ideas for how to distract yourself when cravings hit (sugar, alcohol, smoking, drugs, self harm... etc)
So here’s their 3 dozen ‘Distractions’ to take your mind off the urge and point it in a healthier direction:
1. Take a walk.
2. Take a drive.
3. Do exercise at home or go to the gym.
4. Go jogging.
5. Listen to favorite music.
6. Telephone a friend.
7. Clean out the garage, de-clutter a drawer or closet.
8. Cook something interesting.
9. Go to the library or bookstore.
10. Work in the yard.
11. Clean and polish the car.
12. Take a shower or bath.
13. Read the newspaper, a magazine, or a book.
14. Drink something nonalcoholic.
15. Get a video.
16. Write a letter or e-mail.
17. Plan your next vacation.
18. Make up a grocery store or hardware store shopping list.
19. Go shopping or window-shopping.
20. Plan on redecorating a room.
21. Clean out the refrigerator.
22. Have sex.
23. Go to a driving range.
24. Pay the bills.
25. Make up a household budget or plan future finances.
26. Check stock market action and look for investments.
27. Talk to your children.
28. Get a haircut or manicure.
29. Get a massage.
30. Work on a sewing project.
31. Start a journal.
32. Look into your geneology on the Internet.
33. Visit a friend.
34. Get the snapshot collection in order.
35. Make popcorn.
36. Start a woodwork project.

Cuddle
Research a topic you like
Engage in a random act of kindness
Start a community project
Run for office
Log your dreams and review them
Write a short story or novel
Revive a childhood hobby
Make a homemade door stopper
Play a game online
Fix a meal together w/ someone you love
Go to an art museum
Visit a nursing home and read to residents
Tudor a child
Go fishing
Die your hair
Create own Picasso with crayons
Marathon watch old episodes of a TV. series
Go camping
Go swimming
Sunbathe
Weed your garden or start a new one
Hang your own creation on the wall
Create a still life and photograph it
Create your own deck of cards
Go on a date
Start a treasure hunt
Write your own self affirmations
Join or start a community theater
Play with your pet
Start a new hobby
​​Compose your own song
Start a new religion
Create a board game
Volunteer at a radio station
Facilitate a community action

bizi
add yours!

Bizi, I reckon that is a great list of ideas .

I do a few of those things already. I should probably work on doing some more of them- not just as distractions.

Practice compassionate abiding...

Relieve Distress By Allowing It: Compassionate Abiding 11 | Mindset: Perspective Is Everything

These activities do not work when someone is depressed or anxious or both.

Concentration and motivation can be extremely difficult under those circumstances.

I think these things are probably only useful if you're trying to reign in compulsive/impulsive behaviors or distract oneself from thinking about something.