On a lighter note, this article (click here for the full Q and A) was somewhat intriguing for a person like myself with both soft and hard (light and heavy, round and square) addictions. Judith Wright, co-founder of the Wright Institute for Lifelong Learning in Chicago, explains how to recognize and overcome soft addictions like too much TV, shopping, surfing the Net (not Beyond Blue though), or gossiping.
Following are some samples of soft addictions, what underlying hunger they are trying to fill, and suggestions on how to satisfy the hunger in a more fulfilling way. (Beware: some of them ain’t going to work for the hard-core addicts. In fact, you might want to read these with a major grain of salt. They’re good to get you thinking, but I doubt they’ll bring you home.)
Soft Addiction: Watching TV
Hunger: To feel connected
Alternative: Call a friend and go out to a playSoft Addiction: Surfing the Internet
Hunger: To learn and grow
Alternative: Go to a museum or a lecture on a subject that intrigues youSoft Addiction: Overwork
Hunger: To matter
Alternative: List the ways you make a difference, and take pride in your contributionSoft Addiction: Gossiping
Hunger: To connect and to belong
Alternative: Talk about yourself and the person you are with, rather than othersSoft Addiction: Name Dropping
Hunger: To be important
Alternative: Talk about what matters instead of who mattersSoft Addiction: Shopping
Hunger: To feel abundant
Alternative: "Shop" for friends, ideas, possibilities instead of stuffSoft Addiction: Fast Food
Hunger: To be fulfilled
Alternative: Have quick treats that aren't foodSoft Addiction: Chat Rooms
Hunger: To feel connected
Alternative: Call a friend and "chat live"
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Any simple solotion / alternative to smoking & gambling?
addition? I love Ice cream the big sandwich kind. TV well, I do not watch much of that at all, I do alot of taping, because some of the shows I like are on late, and I am in bed. I have to get up very early for work. gossip, well, that does nothing but hurt people, and I do not listen to it at all.
shopping that is kinda an addition, I use to much plastic, credit card. I have to stop that and put them away. That is nothing but debt.
over worked no, I have a great job now, finally after 30 years.
name dropping no way I keep quite. Any one I know I do not talk about and I know some people in very high places.
I am addicted to SUGAR. I have been known to eat over 7 thousand calories a day in candy, ice cream, cookies, cake.....anything sweet. I wish there was a program like AA for SA. I sneak eat and have been known to eat 2 pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream while driving home from the grocery store. I do not like myself because of my out of control sugar addiction. I weigh about 50 lbs too much. My little husband does not understand what makes me crave so much sugar. Three years ago, when Stacker 2 diet pills were stronger, I got off of sugar and lost down to a great weight....now I have gained back 40 of the 60+ pounds that I had lost. I try to go without sugar....I don't buy candy or ice cream or cookies, but if I am at a meeting and it is there I will eat it as fast as I can, then feel guilty. Any suggestions anyone could put in the comment section would be helpful.
Caffeine, anyone?
Massage addiction??? sny sign of stress and you're ready to schedule a massage...hahaha...hey the positive it keeps me healthy...:)and happy therefore being able to handle the rest of my addictions...hahaha!
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