BOREDOM BUSTERS – Part 2

When we’re no longer able to go where we used to go and do what we used to do, it’s easy to slip into a funk and let boredom get the best of us. However, as you may have read in “Boredom Busters – Part 1,” there are several things we can do to keep boredom at bay. Below are a dozen more things you may can choose from to do just that.

Watch TV

It’s easy to mindlessly watch the television and just let the hours slip past. However, TV can also have many benefits: keeping up with world events, revisiting happy memories as you watch reruns and old movies, laughing at situation comedies—both old and new, and exercising your memory as you follow new shows with ongoing storylines.

Read a Book

Even better than watching the story unfold before you is reading about it. Reading requires more interaction with the information than does watching television. Let the author paint the picture with words. You can make note of facts and quotations that you want to remember and look back at them later. There are books written about any topic you can imagine.

Listen to an Audiobook

Local libraries often have extensive audiobook sections. If you have difficulty reading a book for any reason—or even if you’re more of an audio learner than a visual learner—audiobooks provide a great alternative.

Write a Story

You don’t simply have to watch, read, or listen to the stories created by others. You can come up with your own. You can use a journal, a computer, or a voice recorder to share fiction, memoir, or other nonfiction. Even if you are the only one who ever reads or listens to your stories, it can be a great way to overcome boredom. Who knows? Others may also be interested in what you’ve written.

Write a Poem

You don’t have to be a storyteller or a novelist to write a story and you don’t have to be a gifted poet to write poems. Poems are a wonderful way of sharing big ideas with only a few words. One of the best ways to be inspired is to read the poetry written by others.

Write a Letter
Social networking, emailing, texting … they’re all great ways to keep in touch with others, but there are many people who would love to receive a letter—even a brief note—in their mailbox.

Record a Favourite Memory (audio or written)

What happy memories stand out to you? By recording them, you will have them to read or listen to when you’re feeling down. Plus, your memories may stir happy memories for others as well.

Take Up a New Hobby

There’s nothing like a hobby to overcome boredom. If you’re unable to pursue the hobbies you used to enjoy—or if you simply want to try something new—ask around. When you hear about something that sounds interesting, give it a try.

Exercise

It’s important to keep moving as much as possible. Attend an exercise class. Go for a walk. (Remember to get medical clearance before changing your level of physical activity.)

Make a Friend

No matter how old you are, you can still make new friends. Strike up a conversation. Who knows? You might discover you have shared interests or simply enjoy one another’s company. Cliché as it sounds, the best way to make a friend is to be a friend.

Paint a Picture

You may be an artist from way back or you may feel like you don’t have an ounce of creativity. It doesn’t matter. You can purchase paint-by-numbers, attempt realistic paintings, or use your favourite colours and simply put brush to canvas and produce an abstract that reflects your feelings. Have fun!

Take a Photo

From cell phones to small, handheld digital cameras; from expensive equipment to the new instant cameras … there are many ways to take pictures. Photographers find it’s a whole new world when they’re viewing life through the lens. You may too.