By Mary Reid

One of our past participants shared this task that her therapist recommended. It’s pretty easy: you just need a basket of any size and then you fill it up with “enjoyable” activity items that will distract you for at least 20 minutes.

Heck! The most fun might be exploring and searching for what you want to put in your basket. Indulging yourself with something other than alcohol is important and you’re worth it! While this may seem all fun and games, being able to distract yourself from watching the clock until your first or next drink is a powerful skill to develop.

You can put anything you want in the basket, but here are some ideas:

• A good book
• A pocket knife and block of wood or soapstone to whittle.
• Ukulele
• Sudoku puzzle book
• Journal
• Watercolors or markers
• Coloring book
• Rubik’s cube
• Jigsaw puzzle
• Fly-tying kit
• Hobby magazines
• Crafts
• Knitting/Crochet needles, yarn and a pattern book
• Crossword puzzles

Take some time today to put together your own Distraction Basket!