Sometimes, you feel restless. You want to eat even though you’re not hungry, you experience a random bout of melancholy or you just feel like you’ve lost a bone in your back. You might actually be hungry orrrr be simply bored. To some people, there’s nothing worse than being stuck at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Boredom can be terrible. You are alone, with nothing but your thoughts, and time can be extremely slow. What can you do to fight boredom?
Broaden your Horizons
Meet new friends. Start a new hobby. Research new subjects. People with a variety of interests are less likely to find it boring to be alone—and less likely to be bored when with others. When you meet new people, you naturally become excited, you hang out with them and there is no room for boredom. The same goes when you research new subjects or start a new hobby.
If you’re feeling like there’s nothing to do, there’s no better way to overcome idle boredom than being with people. Call your friends and organize an outing or bug one of your neighbours for a pickup game of basketball. Even if you’re just walking downtown together, or getting coffee, you’re doing something new. Hang out with your regular friends, or reconnect with old acquaintances to shake up your routine. There’s no substitute for face-to-face socializing. Avoid using social media sites to replace socializing, and meet with people in person.
Focus on your Objective
If you see a purpose in what you are doing, your interest in it will increase. Even schoolwork can be less boring when you see your objective. Try to see the bigger picture. Why am I doing this? Why is it so important? Thought-provoking questions can kick you awake so that you are no longer bored but focused.
Adopt a Positive Attitude
Accept what you cannot change. Even the most exciting pursuits will have at least some monotonous aspects. And even the best of friends will sometimes cancel plans, leaving you with nothing to do. Rather than becoming a victim of your circumstances and surrendering to negative feelings, try to adopt a positive attitude.
Do Something You’ve Been Putting Off
Everyone postpones certain tasks. Avoiding something you need to do while feeling bored is a lose-lose scenario. You might as well get those chores done. You’ll keep your mind busy, and you’ll get something you’re dreading over and done with.
Learn a New Skill
If you find yourself getting bored on a regular basis, devoting yourself to a new hobby or craft will give you the promise of many busy hours to come. You can find many tutorials online. You can also teach yourself a craft, like knitting. If you aren’t musically talented, consider learning how to sing or play an instrument. When you’re bored, you can practise your instrument at home.
Keep a Schedule of your Day
If you notice any large gaps in your schedule, try to fill them in with something that interests you. You may notice you feel bored and frustrated around the same time each day. It’s a good idea to try to schedule a particular activity during these times to prevent boredom.
