Healthy Ways to Beat Boredom

Lisa Franchi March 19, 2013

No matter how busy our life is, there are still moments when we find ourselves getting bored. Even some of the things we love doing a lot can bore us to death. Basically, boredom is a natural feeling that strikes us even during the times when we least expect it.

But if you don’t do something about it, your boredom can significantly affect your mental health and well-being. It can make you feel stressed, anxious and de-motivated. It can make you irritable and mad, and lure you to engaging in unhealthy habits. As a matter of fact, majority of smokers consider boredom as one of the main reasons why they smoke.

So how do you beat boredom? Turns out, there are plenty of ways to do it!

Find an escape.

Sure you can’t change the situation that’s making you feel bored. But definitely, you can change how you think and feel about it! While riding on a bus (or waiting for it), standing in a long line, or waiting for the customer service agent to pick up the phone, try shifting your thought into something more positive. Maybe you can think of your plans for the coming weekend or your dream vacation, or think about the greatest memories you spent with your loved ones.

Get into it!

If you can’t find an escape from a boring activity, then dig into it. There are things that seem pretty boring at first but once you’ve become absorbed with these things, you end up finding yourself enjoying doing them! If you think the book your friend gave to you is unexciting that you can’t stand another minute reading it, extend your time for two minutes. If it’s still boring, spend another 5 minutes, or until it becomes not boring at all.

Be nosy.

Be nosy in a positive way. Maybe you’ve been stuck in a chair waiting for the GP to arrive. To fight boredom in situations like this, shift your attention to the things that are going on around you. Look at the clinic’s interior and criticise it as if you are an architect or an engineer. Look at the clothes people are wearing. Look at their facial expressions and gestures. Try to read their minds. You’ll find it amusing, really!

Be thankful.

If you think you are in a helpless situation just because you are bored, think again! There are people who are in a much more difficult situation than you are right now. Boredom passes away after several minutes or hours, real problems don’t.

Bring a book anywhere you go.

This tip is really effective in beating boredom. While taking a long-hour trip to a business meeting, waiting for a friend to arrive, or when you have nothing to do, grab a book from your bag. Reading is a great way to divert your attention.

Dear Readers,

What are the things you usually do when you are bored?

Share your comments below!