Psychologist reveals:
5 tips to break out of boredom
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“I’m sooo bored” – a sentence that most of you have probably said at some point in your life. But what exactly is boredom – and can we trick our brain so that the feeling doesn’t arise in the first place?
In order to break out of boredom, we must first understand it and find out how it actually develops. The US psychologist Sean Grover explains what this phenomenon is all about. “Boredom comes from a kind of inner tension and a nagging desire to be saved from yourself,” Grover told Psychology Today. Boredom is often responsible for people making destructive decisions, such as drinking alcohol or unhealthy relationships.
The problem: when we’re bored, we usually just distract ourselves. With a Whatsapp group, a series, a book or a few snacks. But we have to deal with our inner being, according to the US psychologist. Because otherwise, the cause of our boredom will remain and recur again and again.
Boredom: The most normal thing in the world
When someone moans that he/she is bored, the statement usually doesn’t get much attention. We hear this all the time from friends, partners, family members or ourselves – but rarely do any of us wonder where we are from. Boredom can be caused by many things: tiredness, guilt, or even a cry for help, explains Sean Grover. Boredom stems from passive frustration, the US psychologist continued. But the important finding is that because we create boredom ourselves, we can also free ourselves from it.
What should we do instead?
At the next moment of boredom, don’t reach for your cell phone or remote control. Instead, consider why you are bored. What makes you feel this way right now – and how can you turn the feeling into creativity? Grover gives a practical example. Before he decided to write his article about boredom, he was bored himself. His reason: A hunger for creativity. Possible triggers?
- Too much media consumption
- A routine that is repeated too often
- A feeling of emptiness and the desire to recharge the inner battery
- Ignoring your own body, i.e.: lack of self-care
5 tips to break out of boredom
How do you get from these insights to a boredom-free time? The US psychologist gives these five tips:
1. Turn boredom into creativity
Draw, write, paint, dance! There are so many creative ways to get us out of boredom.
2. Cell phone off!
Most of the time, when we’re bored, we’re just passively consuming social media. Rarely do we get inspired or motivated by anything we see when we’re zombie-scrolling in the boredom state. The cell phone is a form of distraction, but more often than not it makes the situation worse.
3. Meditate
When you can’t get hold of your frustration, it helps to look at yourself and explore your thoughts. Are you bored because you feel lonely? Then ask friends if they have time for a spontaneous meeting. Are you bored because you procrastinate and may be overwhelmed? Then take the first step and start small. The rest almost takes care of itself.
4. Help others
When we think only of ourselves, it fuels our boredom. We see ourselves as victims, perhaps feeling sorry for ourselves. But we shouldn’t hold on to that. Instead of seeing our boredom as a big problem, we can offer our help to others. Showing empathy is a good way to break out of self-isolation, Grover said. This can be as small as showing others that you are thinking of them. For example, how long ago was your last call to mom, dad, grandma, grandpa or siblings? Connecting with others helps us feel better about ourselves. Or maybe you know of a friend who is stressed out about their job or a partnership and is looking for advice? Then offer it and support it. It will make you feel better and be helpful to others.
5. Are you tense?
Boredom can also be an expression of physical tension, Grover says. This in turn fuels obsessions (e.g. with social media), brooding or boredom. A warm bath, a walk in the fresh air, sport or a good chat with friends can help to relieve tension.