It’s Good to Know: Urge Surfing

"Urge surfing" is a technique developed by psychologist Alan Marlatt to prevent recovering addicts from relapsing. It’s based on the idea that cravings come in waves, growing stronger and more powerful before cresting and then disappearing. Patients are taught to ride out the wave with a combination of meditation and focused breathing.

Though the original purpose of Dr. Marlatt’s technique was to help people struggling with drug and alcohol problems, it is now employed to manage any destructive behavior. Smoking. Gambling. Compulsive shopping. Inappropriate sex. Compulsive eating. And you can apply the concept to not-so-serious urges too – without the meditation and breathing.

Try it next time you feel the need for a little extra self-control. If, for instance, you get the urge to take a second helping of dessert… or pick at that "thing" on your nose… or tell off your mother-in-law. Just surf the urge for 10 or 20 minutes, and it will go away. Well… usually. I’ve been surfing the urge to buy a new car for three days now. I think the urge is winning.

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