We all have been bored at home at some point in our lives. We usually excuse it as a lack of creativity, motivation, or organization. But is it perhaps much deeper than that?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the first use of the term “boredom” was ack 1853, when it was first used in Charles Dickens’ novel Bleak House. This is heavily debated; with many sources claiming the word existed many years way before 1853.
We now know what it means to be bored, as defined by the dictionary, boredom means: “Feeling tired and frustrated because one’s current occupation is uninteresting or unoccupied.” This definition, however sort of downplays the significance of boredom.
According to experts, chronic boredom, if not appropriately treated, can have major implications, ranging from melancholy and loneliness to physical health issues. Boredom can be a dangerous emotion that can lead to people zoning out in meetings and classes–and, in some situations, to alcohol and other negative acts. It can also be a force for good in certain circumstances, serving as the catalyst for a creative process or leading to more self-reflection
Boredom is, in essence, a much more subtle emotion than we give it credit for. It is also particularly prevalent in today’s society due to the advent of covid-19.
Many people were holed up in their homes due to restrictions placed in their respective cities to curb the spread of the various. Although it seems that period is now far beyond us, the effect it had on socializing is still ingrained in a lot of people.
Boredom isn’t, however, something that appears out of nowhere. There are mental and physical factors that cause it to happen. Some people are quite skilled at avoiding these precursors, which means they are rarely if ever, bored at home.
Before I underline the practical steps you can take to overcome boredom at home, let’s take a look at some of the key factors that bring about boredom at home.
Factors Responsible for boredom
- Thinking that you are superior to others: Another element that contributes to boredom is when we unintentionally avoid spending time with them or even meeting them because we perceive ourselves as superior to them. When you attribute the source of your distress to the small number of people who contribute to your life and diversify the people you communicate with, you will find that you have discovered many things about yourself and the outside world that you have never discovered before.
- Spending too much time on social media: Social media and technology provide a quick and effective solution to our brains’ desire for fresh stimuli, but it is also one of the most significant causes of boredom. Even while spending hours on Instagram when bored, playing computer games all day, or watching humorous videos on YouTube temporarily alleviates boredom, it can lead to a decline in our life satisfaction and make us feel more bored by making us feel like we squandered our time.
- Been dependent on routines: It is nearly impossible not to be bored if you stick to a schedule that requires you to do the same thing every day. If you devote all of your attention to the same or comparable duties for an extended period, you will become bored.
In general, too much of the same thing and too little stimulation can cause in its victim an absence of desire and a feeling of entrapment.
5 Practical Ways You Can Overcome Boredom.
In truth, overcoming boredom can be difficult, but there are many ways you can make a dull situation more entertaining. Find ways to channel your creativity by reading and writing. I have highlighted below some five practical ways you can take to overcome boredom. Let’s dive in.
1. Chase Your Spark
Sometimes boredom is rooted in pursuing the wrong things. Maybe there is something you are passionate about that sparks your interest and motivation. Are you doing enough of that?
It isn’t easy when you have life’s responsibilities pushing your way in, but you have to create time for the things that spark interest and joy within you.
Writing a journal is a great way to work through emotions and overcome boredom. Journaling how you feel helps you sort through feelings and get ruminative loops out of your head. Don’t like to write? Draw instead! Any daily creative practice is healthy for your brain as it recovers. Not sure what to write? Start a gratitude list to help keep you motivated.
2. Make New Acquaintances
Although making new connections may appear tough and scary, doing this task will significantly assist you in overcoming boredom. Of course, it’s perfectly okay if you’re reserved in nature and may find it difficult walking up to people whenever you go out.
Thankfully, we’re in an age where social media is a key tool for making new friends. To meet new people, you can go online and use one of the many social networks and communication apps available to connect with new people.
3. Declutter Your Closet
We rarely have time to do this, so we toss stuff in once the laundry is done and grab whatever we’re going to wear in the morning. Or perhaps you’re one of those folks that hang their clothing up every day and have a closet that isn’t just a jumble of garments.
There’s a good possibility you have stuff in your closet that you haven’t worn in years and may have forgotten about. So now is the time to rummage through your belongings, organize, rearrange, colour-coordinate, find long-lost treasures, and get rid of stuff you don’t need.
4. Try Your Hands at Something New
Getting your hands on something new is a practical step you can take to overcome boredom. You could try your hands at making a new delicacy you have always had an eye for, experiment with house renovations, or learn a new dance.
It could be pretty much anything you have been looking to do for a while. Thankfully, numerous free internet tools are available to teach you new skills, ranging from YouTube videos to blogs and online courses. 5 things to do when you’re single, lonely and bored
And the best thing about trying out new things is that it doesn’t just help you overcome boredom, but it can also help you acquire new skills and knowledge, which may be very useful to you. You can even decide to learn a new language or practice a particular culture.
So you’ll not only overcome boredom, but you’ll also feel like a more intriguing person. Evidence has even shown that embracing new experiences might help us live a psychologically richer life, not just a happier or more meaningful one.
5. Stretch and Exercise
Exercising in your place is another practical method to overcome boredom. You don’t need to go to the gym to get some exercise. Exercise as simple as squats and ab training can be done practically anyplace without any equipment.
If you don’t have standard gym equipment at home you can make use of any heavy equipment. Yoga mats can be used for various home exercises to overcome boredom, but if you don’t have one, you can use towels or blankets instead. It’s critical to maintain a healthy immune system, especially if you’re not getting out of the home to stretch your legs.
Final note
Boredom and loneliness should be avoided at all costs, especially if you have been diagnosed with depression or are trying to quit smoking or other addictions. In addition, it’s critical to stay busy and distracted to avoid thoughts and actions that lead to cravings, negativity, and other negative habits. Effectively managing boredom will help you manage stress and maximize productivity in the long run.
