How to Not be Bored (According to Science): 11 ways

Getting bored? Of course, everyone is due to lockdown! 

More and more of us were staying indoors to halt the spread of the coronavirus. When bored, we aren’t actively participating in life. It commands us to stop our current activity and improve its quality or switch gears. 

According to boredom psychology, individuals don’t always make the most significant decisions when bored. 

So how to not be bored if forced to stay in and practice social distancing?

Feeling Bored? Here’s How to Not be Bored

You must be wondering what causes boredom. It’s possible to feel bored even when engaged in what should be significant work or pursuits. Studies have shown that many professionals experience job boredom. 

Solving the issues that lead to boredom, such as a lack of relevant and sufficiently demanding activities, is necessary for alleviating boredom. However, there are instances when people seek temporary relief in pursuits that offer neither intrinsic value nor significant difficulty.

Boredom might make people more vulnerable to other negative behaviors, such as drinking more and smoking more pot. In addition, loneliness has been linked to unhealthy snacking and pornographic website use. 

While they may bring some short-term pleasure, these solutions to boredom could be more satisfying. We need to discover things to do at home that are meaningful and challenging enough to last so that boredom never returns. Boredom and depression can be considered connected.

1. Remind yourself of the bigger picture

In most cases, people would rather be active than idle. Therefore, isolating oneself from society is beneficial since it helps stop the spread of the coronavirus. But, on the other hand, you shouldn’t count on it constantly feeling that way. 

You can attribute whatever you like to your current mind, including boredom. This means that staying at home will only have value if we reflect on the broader good it serves. For example, some study has shown that students become more invested in their education when asked to consider their coursework’s relevance to their lives. 

This can be the best answer to how not to be bored.

2. Establish a pattern

Our daily routines give us structure and a sense of continuity that contributes to the depth of our understanding of purpose. Everyday activities give people a sense of purpose and elevate the quality of their lives. Unfortunately, when we stop going to work or are laid off, we lose those routines. 

The shutdown of cities, restaurants, and schools affects everyone, including retirees and stay-at-home parents. In addition, a lack of exercise might make people feel bored. However, it is possible to restore a sense of meaning that acts as a barrier against boredom by establishing new habits. 

This one answers your query on how not to be bored.

3. Just live with it

It can be challenging to figure out how to spend time when one suddenly faces several days that are not scheduled for work or school. But, according to a recent Italian study of those confined in quarantine, second only to the fear of infection is the feeling of boredom. 

Challenging tasks might be complex. Some people could get bored and frustrated in this situation. It’s important to remember that the bar for what is too complicated or not tricky will change throughout the day. If you need a break, don’t deny yourself that time off. 

This can help you find the solution to not being bored.

4. Attempt a New Activity

Many of us reach for a novel out of boredom. In moderation, give in to that impulse. Instead, if you’re feeling up to it, challenge yourself with a new activity, be it cooking, fixing things around the house, or even learning a recent dance move on TikTok. 

Trying something new is an excellent antidote to monotony, and it can also help you learn valuable things that could come in handy in other contexts. If we can’t make sense of what we’re reading or experiencing, for example, we won’t feel the same level of engagement that comes from doing so.

5. Make connections with others

It’s only sometimes simple to devise viable alternatives that profoundly impact our lives. Still, we’ve found that the straightforward and significant ones are the most satisfying.  At least one positive choice is available to us all. 

Communicating with one another, either online or in person, for those who aren’t isolated. Conversation with a friend is a great way to pass the time when working from home.

Most of us can still do basic, meaningful things like looking at old photos or reminiscing with a friend, even if we’re not feeling particular well. No occasion is necessary for a phone call to a friend. 

In fact, some of the most enjoyable interactions between people occur in the spaces between planned events.

6. Enhancing the Effectiveness of Your Actions

You are trying to find the answer to how not to be bored. There are two primary approaches, from the outside and from within. 

First, suppose you find yourself either constantly busy (and disliking the busyness or bored. 

You need to address the internal and external causes contributing to your state of mind.

7. Preparation is Key

Plan out your time so that you can avoid lulls in activity and overloads of work. If boredom is a recurring problem, plan some exciting activities. 

You may need to divide massive undertakings if you are in constant movement. Make your weekend plans for the following month now. 

It’s an excellent motivator to have something to work toward, and it keeps you from wasting time.

8. Do a different task

It’s only natural to feel bored if you’re forced to spend time on something you don’t enjoy. So find new ways to arrange your schedule to make even the most mundane tasks feel like rewarding adventures. 

Transform everyday tasks into challenges you can overcome. For example, try cleaning the house or commuting to work while listening to audiobooks or lectures. 

This is a sure-fire answer to how not to be bored.

9. Determine your top three priorities

With proper time management, there is enough time. There will always be more to do than time allows. To avoid having the inconsequential things in life take over your focus, you should establish your top ideals. 

Think about the bigger picture and how your actions will help you get closer to your goals or hold you back. Your boredom likely stems partly from the same things that don’t mesh with your vision. 

Once you’ve pinpointed which tasks aren’t essential, you can work to give them greater significance or find ways to do without them altogether.

10. Prioritize experience quality

Don’t aim for more money or higher social standing. Instead, prioritize goals that will improve your quality of life. Plan your life by establishing SMART objectives. 

This is the best answer to boredom.

11. Break Free from Routine

You can’t avoid developing habits, but you shouldn’t let them define you. If your routines aren’t serving you, it’s time to shake things up. For example, it’s a waste of a Friday night to remain home and watch Netflix when you might be out meeting new people. 

Just try something different, so you’re not stuck in a rut. Put some time aside on the calendar for a change of pace.  This is a straightforward solution to how not to be bored.

Final Words

We have seen above the possible answers to how not to be bored. When you’re bored, you need more exciting things to focus on. Being overly busy is a form of involuntary boredom. 

This indicates that you believe there are practical ways to spend your time but that these opportunities are blocked. Try the activities mentioned above and rejuvenate your life!