Keeping Busy

One trick to cutting down or stopping gambling is to avoid places where you may be tempted to gamble, another is to substitute your time gambling with other activities you enjoy. Here is a whole lot of ideas that can help keep you busy, many are free and can be done alone or with others. Combating boredom can help subdue gambling urges.

Go shopping

Retail therapy! There is nothing quite like a visit to the shops. You don't even need to buy anything!

Retail therapy! There is nothing quite like a visit to the shops. You don't even need to buy anything!

Exercise outdoors

Go kick a ball at the park, go for a run - even a fast walk! Burning energy makes you feel better.

Go kick a ball at the park, go for a run - even a fast walk! Burning energy makes you feel better. Challenge yourself – even if you’ve never done it before! Here's a link to help get you started...

Movie times

Movies are a great way to keep you busy, from Netflix to going to the cinema...

Movies are a great way to keep you busy, from Netflix to going to the cinema... here is great list of must-watch films.

Family time

Spend time with the Whānau, read a book to the kids, tell them what it was like when you were at school, drag them out for a

Spend time with the Whānau, read a book to the kids, tell them what it was like when you were at school, drag them out for a walk together.

Watch TV

How about a lazy night channel surfing?

How about a lazy night channel surfing?

Go somewhere new

Instead of meeting your mates at a place you can gamble, try somewhere new that doesn’t have the temptation. They say a change

Instead of meeting your mates at a place you can gamble, try somewhere new that doesn’t have the temptation. They say a change is as good as a holiday.

Grab a coffee

New Zealand has the best coffee in the world. Go and enjoy it!

New Zealand has the best coffee in the world. Go and enjoy it!

Free Sodoku right now!

Learn Soduko or become a master right here for free, good luck!

Learn Soduko or become a master right here for free, good luck!

Listen to a podcast

Get smarter and impress your friends with your extensive knowledge of all things important and trivial, listen to the

Get smarter and impress your friends with your extensive knowledge of all things important and trivial, listen to the Stuff you should know podcasts.

Do this free jigsaw!

Become the puzzle master right now with these free jigsaws.

Become the puzzle master right now with these free jigsaws.

Meet a friend for lunch

Go on - you really haven't caught up with 'what's-his-name' for ages!

Go on - you really haven't caught up with 'what's-his-name' for ages!

Watch billions of videos!

You tube has videos on everything for free, type in something you love, perhaps &ldq

You tube has videos on everything for free, type in something you love, perhaps “rugby tackles” or “ballet’ and see what you can find.

Ride a bike

There is nothing like a bike ride in the countryside. Or jump on an exercycle at the gym.

There is nothing like a bike ride in the countryside. Or jump on an exercycle at the gym.

Titi Tōrea

Show off your awesome musical and rhythm skills with ti rākau, a traditional Māori stick game.

Show off your awesome musical and rhythm skills with ti rākau, a traditional Māori stick game. You’ll need two sheets of white paper, colouring pencils, tape and two small magazines or newspapers. Find out how.

Get out the games

There are some awesome games out there that can fill in a lot of time. You’ll be amazed how keen family and friends are t

There are some awesome games out there that can fill in a lot of time. You’ll be amazed how keen family and friends are to play a good game if you suggest it.

Make a splash

If the weather’s fine, head to the beach, or

If the weather’s fine, head to the beach, or find your local pool. Duck, dive, slide, splash, or just relax.

Unleash the cook

When there’s something in the oven you can’t go out!

When there’s something in the oven you can’t go out! Try these for starters.

Join a sports team

Most teams are always looking for new members - even complete beginners. Often you’ll get a free trial too!

Most teams are always looking for new members - even complete beginners. Often you’ll get a free trial too! Get into basketball, bowls, or maybe badminton is more your thing?

Phone a friend

Pick up the phone and talk to someone you haven’t chatted with in a while, talk about the weather.

Pick up the phone and talk to someone you haven’t chatted with in a while, talk about the weather.

The gambling helpline is free if you do need it

Go for a walk

Simply hit the pavement and get some exercise, make sure you walk away from places you can gamble so it’s not to easy to just pop i

Simply hit the pavement and get some exercise, make sure you walk away from places you can gamble so it’s not to easy to just pop in.

Puzzle time

Puzzles can really chew up the time and are good fun. Most charity shops have puzzles for cheap.

Puzzles can really chew up the time and are good fun. Most charity shops have puzzles for cheap.

Get your Facebook on

Jump online, look up old school friends and the cousin you haven’t seen in ages.&nbs

Jump online, look up old school friends and the cousin you haven’t seen in ages. facebook.com/ChoicenotChanceNZ.

Volunteer

It helps others and gives you warm fuzzies inside.

It helps others and gives you warm fuzzies inside. Talk to any charity, because they always need help, or check this out.