Combatting Boredom: How To Cope with the Monotony

The outbreak of coronavirus has shaken the world for good; else who could have imagined the 21st-century world could be locked in their homes! No office, no schools, no shops and the world remained shut. This has raised the alarms of a new problem – Coping with Boredom!

With no office, no traffic, no gossips and no schools, people got all the time they wanted. But then they realized that doing nothing can make time very tedious. Many people are showing symptoms of chronic boredom. 

That’s why I thought it would be the best time to shed some light on this ignored topic of Coping with Boredom. Read to understand the meaning, health implications and remedies of boredom!

Also Read: Homesickness in the time of coronavirus

What is boredom?

Boredom is a state of unrest in the mind. It is an unpleasant mood where nothing seems interesting or worth pursuing. Boredom happens when there is too much energy scattered all around. The mind fails to focus on one particular thing!

Also Read: Anxiety and OCD in the time of Coronavirus

Why do we get bored?

A man who is controlled by his mind easily gets distracted and often gets bored. This is mainly because he is lacking the stimulation of a bigger purpose. 

Even the most entertaining distractions tend to get boring after a point of time. Be it watching a web series, playing PUBG, cooking, dancing, or doing any of your favourite activity, everything turns boring after you reach a saturation point. 

But when you are invested in a larger pursuit of achievement then even work feels like an addiction. Like an artist immersed in his art, a scientist working on his research paper, a writer writing a novel. They can go on and on without even look at the clock ticking by the table.

So, boredom is nothing but the lack of a purpose and the drive to pursue it. 

Also Read: How to survive isolation in the time of coronavirus?

Is boredom bad?

Everybody experiences boredom at some point in their life. And that’s absolutely okay. Boredom can be a signal by the brain for the need of a break. And in that way, it is actually helpful. 

A student getting bored after hours of continuous studying is a signal for the need for refreshment. The brain needs some rest before it can take on more information. This is situational boredom which is not harmful.

But some people suffer from chronic boredom and this is quite harmful. Most of the times, their entire body language speaks about the shabby state of mind. From their walk to posture and speech, everything will be dull and lifeless. 

This not only affects their personality and growth but also results in frustration, depression and chronic health issues. In such cases, people should make an effort to find the cause of their boredom and address it. If needed they can also seek professional help from a counsellor.

Also Read: Coping with the panic of coronavirus

The psychological impact  

Boredom is a sour state of mind which negatively affects your mind. It can be frustrating and depressing. Some people even report of aggravated anxiety issues when they get bored. Here are 10 things that happen when you get bored.

10 things that happens when you get bored!

• Boredom leads to binge eating which results in obesity and opens the door to a cluster of health issues, ranging from diabetes to cancer. 
• Studies also revealed that boredom can lead to an increase in alcohol and marijuana intake. 
• Boredom increases the streaming of online pornography and masturbation. 
• In some extreme cases, boredom can lead to violent thoughts, self-harm, plotting and planning of crime. 
• It can lead to increased exposure of screen time which can mess with sleep pattern. 
• Chronic boredom may also disrupt the circadian rhythm because of the untimely eating and napping habits.
• Boredom is often sighted as a symptom of depression, but it is also a trigger.
• Studies revealed that boredom can aggravate body pain. 
• This state of mind can also impair a person’s decision-making capacity. It can trigger impulse reactions for dangerous adventures.
• Boredom affects concentration and performance.

Also Read: How to keep your ageing parents engaged, healthy and happy?

7 tips to help Coping With Boredom

There is no specific medical treatment for boredom. However, there are better solutions to this situation, than a drag of a cigarette or a glass of alcohol. 

Here are 7 ways to help you cope with boredom during this lockdown:

1. Set a routine

Human brains are programmed to follow a set routine. Even babies are aligned to routines, they would repeat the same activities at an exact time every day. For example, if you give your baby an egg right after they wake up, then every morning they would seek an egg to start the day. 

When you set a routine, it becomes easy for the mind to follow. Breaking from the routine results in abundant time with nothing much to do. This might feel good for some time, until that blank time starts haunting.

Here is a sample routine that you can modify and adapt. 

Wake up. Drink lemon juice. Do meditation and yoga. Have breakfast. Do household chores or office work. Read a few pages of a book. Make and have Lunch. Take up a hobby. Tea time but no snacking. Go for an evening walk. Watch a motivating or positive video. Sleep at the right time!

2. Read Books

Most of us have a stack of books that we’ve been dreaming to read and this is the perfect time to read those books. Reading a book helps to get rid of boredom and has its own benefits.

Reading books can reduce stress levels, alleviate anxiety and depression, boost happiness and overall life satisfaction. When you pick a novel of your interest, you get immersed into the story. Be it a fiction or non-fiction, any book is a good book! 

Try reading self-help books and implement at least one good habit each day! That’s a challenge to keep you engaged.

3. Self-reflection

Self-reflection is very important at every phase of life. It helps to better understand one’s aspirations, dreams, purpose and position. One who lacks the skill of self-reflection often let life take lead rather than leading life.

Take out a particular time of the day, preferably before bed, to reflect on your day. Say or write a few words of gratitude, say your prayers, remember your bigger dreams and go to bed with a positive mind. Do not sweat the small stuff.

4. Dance

If you have followed any of my previous blogs on this pandemic then you already know the importance of the physical activity. And what’s better to shake the body to a peppy tune!

Dance is not only a form of exercise, but it is also a mood enhancer.

Dancing releases endorphin that will make you feel happy and is a great way to burn some calories too. You can use this opportunity during the lockdown and use your spare time to improve your dance skills.

5. Home Decor

Whether you are an interior enthusiast or not, living in a convenient space is a blessing. So, take up the job and turn around the house. It stimulates your creative thinking and helps in coping with boredom.

We all have jobs around the house we keep ignoring during our normal life. However, the lockdown has provided us with an opportunity to complete the unfinished works. Whether the front door needs painting, the living room needs decoration, or the back garden needs weeding, this is the perfect time to get these jobs done.

6. Play Games

Anything done in moderation has benefits. For that matter, even video games can have some positive effects. Many videogames are known to increase concentration and focusing skills. 

So, you can try your hands on the trendy games, it helps in coping with boredom temporarily. But remember the key here is moderation. Do not stick to the device for more than 30 minutes at a stretch.

If you are having your family and siblings around then you can also enjoy many other indoor games

7. Engage in Art

Art is therapy. It is a form of meditation that lets your creativity unleash. Turning to arts is one of the best ways of coping with boredom. Even if you are not a master of some art form, you can start amateur. And practice will make you perfect!

Try painting, writing, pottery, photography or any other art of your interest. Even cooking and gardening are a form of art. It is calming and relaxing. Practising art improves patience and focus level and the end result can be used to brighten up the four walls of your house.

Coping with Boredom: Pay attention!

Boredom, especially chronic is quite harmful to the mind and body. It can lead to a bad mood, poor performance, anxiety, depression, stress and unhealthy practices. In some cases, boredom can also result in criminal thinking. 

Hence, it is very important to keep boredom at bay. Not just for you but also for the young kids, because you never know what’s cooking in their little brains!