5 Productive Activities To Avoid Boredom

Staying at home has quickly become the ‘new normal’ — and balancing work, kids and chores under one roof can result in some pretty hectic days. Being in the house indefinitely will likely lead to times of boredom. A lazy Sunday here and there is often welcome, but nobody likes being bored forever. So here are a few things you can do to entertain yourself whenever you feel the b-word slipping into your mind.

Creative activities

Would you consider yourself a creative person? Regardless of whether you answered yes or no, now could be the perfect time to pick up a sketchbook and pursue some creative interests. It’s not only a boredom-banisher, but it can also help you cope with stress, manage your time effectively, foster social connections and add richness to your personality and sense of self.[1] Here are a few things you can try:

• Write letters: Though Facetime and Zoom are amazing ways to stay connected to friends and loved ones when you can’t see them in person, it might be fun to pick up a pen and a piece of paper and write someone a letter. Experiment with your style of writing and have some fun with it. Writing is also a great way to get things off your chest so whether you send the letters or put them away in a drawer, writing could become a creative way to both divert and express yourself.
• Doodle art: Those little squiggles you do in your notebook when you’re daydreaming or on the phone can actually become a fun creative pastime. If you’re feeling bored, grab a notebook and a pen and just start drawing lines — don’t worry about what you’re drawing or what it looks like, just go with the flow and see what happens. It can be extremely relaxing, and you might come up with a cool design!
• Sketch drawings: If you’re interested in taking your art skills a step further, there are some great YouTube channels that give step by step sketching tutorials for beginners. Just search ‘beginner sketching tutorial’ and draw to your heart’s content.

Books

If you have any time to spare, picking up a book and delving into another world can be a great way to entertain yourself, stay productive and clear your mind. If you don’t have any unread books on your shelf, the New York Public Library has recently created a free access to its 300,000 e-books through its SimplyE app. All you need to do is download the app and browse away!

If you have some old books that you haven’t read in years, maybe consider re-reading one or two — you’d be surprised how different a book might seem at a different point in your life. (Check out our book recommends for personal development and awakening your positive potential.)

You could also set up a virtual book club with your friends. Pick a book every month and set a date to discuss it over a video call with a glass or two of wine!

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Cooking, baking, & weekly meal plans

Instead of snacking when you’re bored, try using food in a different way to keep you entertained. Head into the kitchen and try to get creative with your cooking. You could bake a cake, try out a new recipe or just plan out your meals for the week to come. Figuring out a way to get all of your nutrients while keeping your meals exciting is a bit of a puzzle. A few hours in the kitchen planning, prepping and cooking can help you relax and clear your head with the reward of a delicious meal or sweet treat after it’s done. (We found the 10 most searched for recipes.)

Motivational podcasts, audiobooks, & documentaries

If reading isn’t your thing, why not listen or watch something interesting instead? Whether it’s a podcast, audiobook or a documentary, getting your brain working will stop you from having any time to get bored. Podcasts such as The Happier Podcast and The Good Life Project might get you out of a grumpy mood while A Slob Comes Clean could motivate you to clean your house. Audible is offering free children’s audiobooks at the moment and have a 30-day free trial if you are looking for adult audiobooks too!

Daily workout

Staying active is now more important than ever but it can be tricky figuring out how to exercise effectively within the confines of your house. Here are a few home workouts that are fun, dynamic and can help you pass the time when you’re bored:

• HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training is quick, effective and will definitely get you sweaty. Check out hiitburn on Instagram or Pamela Reif on YouTube for some HIIT workouts you can do anywhere.
• Yoga: It’s a great option for a home workout that helps you clear your mind while working your body. Take a look at Cat Meffan, Yoga with Kassandra and Yoga with Adriene on YouTube channel for a variety of videos of all different lengths and levels.
• Pilates: A cross between conditioning exercises and yoga, Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that you can easily do at home. Blogilates has a number of videos to suit your every need.
• Partner workout: If you have a partner or a family member, working out as a pair can be a fun activity to do together. Whether you want to try a couple’s yoga video or get a sweat on with HIIT, having someone to motivate you is a sure way to kick boredom away.

¹https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happy-trails/201509/six-reasons-get-hobby

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