Keeping Boredom At Bay
I don’t know about you, but when I get bored, I get sleepy! Sometimes I give in to the feeling, curl up and take a nap. Thankfully, for me ‘naps’ are usually about ten minutes and I wake revived, and ready to go again. Of course, that means I need to find something to do that will keep me busy enough to not get bored again!
There is a long list on my computer of things to do when I do have that ‘I’m bored’ problem! It’s so long, it often overwhelms me and makes it difficult to choose, but I finally choose something just to keep going! In our ever fast paced, high technology device world, many will pull out their phone or iPad and play a game; or in rare cases, read a book! It’s amazing how many people automatically pull out their phones in a doctor’s office or even in line for a check out in any store! It seems conversation isn’t an option anymore!
Modern Kids and Boredom
Kids complain of boredom and don’t seem to have a clue how to entertain themselves without said devices in their hands! Going outside to ‘play’, choosing a board game, having a hobby to work on or, ‘scandals’—- open a book, just aren’t a viable option. They want technology to play a game, scroll through social media or the TV or some kind of movie on! Just ‘being’ with our own thoughts never even crosses their minds!
But regardless of who we are, there are times when things slow down just enough to cause boredom or we find ourselves in an environment where ‘there is nothing to do’ except wait! What do you do?
Get Creative
Sometimes you do have to get creative to keep busy and honestly, there are plenty of options should we choose them. This is especially true if you’re in good health, and can get around without the help of any medical equipment.
Years back my mom-in-law had a forced retirement. She’d spent her entire life working…and then there was nothing. This lack of ‘going’ and staying busy ultimately claimed her life. She stopped living except through the lives of the soap operas she watched on TV.
There are other situations where sudden lack of ability causes a dramatic change in the way a person views life. In the instance of a sudden disability, life can be very jolting and disruptive! For a person who worked, or was otherwise involved with activities everyday, which consumed much of their time, not being able to do these things causes boredom which is difficult to keep at bay.
Ways To Combat Boredom
There are suggestions to help combat this problem. As much as possible, remain active in whatever interests you had before! Again, this may demand some creativity, but it’s worth the effort.
Discover new hobbies like ‘virtual traveling’ which is available via the internet. There is also the idea of learning to paint or draw via YouTube or other venue.
Enroll in Music or Art therapy which are both good for the mind. This may take a little research, but again, well worth the effort!
Other research maintains that even doing Yoga is an excellent way to stay fit. This is not only good for the body, but for the mind, as well. For those who are unable to get to a gym or an actual yoga class, this too is often available via the internet. Additionally, the very idea of getting dressed, staying groomed and eating well, is vital to keeping boredom at bay, because it raises awareness of your possibilities and helps create a healthy mindset.
Honesty, while these last ideas where written for the disabled community, each of these ideas are also good for the senior who doesn’t get out much, or for anyone who just wants to keep boredom, at least, arm’s length away! C’mon we can do this!
Photo Credit: Kids-Boredom and Technology
Photo Credit: Art-Music Therapy