Feeling bored? Try a new activity just for fun.
Feeling stuck in a rut? Boredom happens to all of us at one point or another. Repetition in our daily life and at work can limit our brain’s release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that triggers pleasurable responses whenever we experience a new or exciting situation. Less dopamine can leave us eager to engage in activities that satisfy our need for adventure. If this lackluster feeling happens to you this summer, consider experimenting with new activities to enrich your life. Pursuing interests that motivate and inspire you can help you curb monotony, learn new skills, and most important, have fun!
Try out this list of 10 ways to beat boredom:
- Take up a hobby or craft
- Play outdoor summer games
- Exercise
- Have a home spa day
- Catch up with a friend or neighbor
- Learn something new
- Go sightseeing
- Experience the outdoors
- Start an observation journal
- Volunteer
Keep reading to learn more about incorporating these boredom-busting activities into your summer plans.
1. Take up a hobby or craft
Research shows that hobbies can help people experience less stress and have greater life satisfaction. What hobbies suit your interests? If you’re creative, try painting, scrapbooking, or cake decorating. If you’re active, join a hiking group, take a yoga class, or sign up for a boot camp session. For the musician, try out for a choir, teach piano, or join a band. If you’re looking to calm your mind, take up meditation, assemble jigsaw puzzles, or get lost in a good book. Whether you decide to take up a new hobby or revisit one from the past, practicing and refining your craft is always a fun way to fill free time in your day.
Check out these healthy hobbies to stay physically and mentally fit.
2. Play outdoor summer games
If you enjoy entertaining, consider hosting an outdoor summer game night with your family and friends. Turn classics like Scrabble and Twister into lawn variations or make a homemade bean bag or ring toss game. Check out these and other fun and entertaining outdoor DIY games here.
3. Exercise
Exercise comes with a host of physical and mental health benefits. If you need to spice up your routine, consider taking walks in the afternoon, riding your bike in the morning, or even joining a dance class on days when your schedule is light.
Look here for safe and fun exercises for older adults.
4. Have a home spa day
Another way to beat boredom is to embrace not having anything to do! Consider enjoying this time by pampering yourself with an at-home spa day. Set a relaxing tone with music, candles, and aromatherapy. Then, try making simple homemade spa treatments, like a chocolate facial mask, sugar scrub, or honey hand wrap to rejuvenate your body and mind.
5. Catch up with a friend or neighbor
Summer schedules often keep us busy! But, if you find yourself with a little extra free time, take advantage by connecting with family and friends. Not only is spending time with the people you care about fun, but social relationships are also incredibly good for your health. So, catch up over a cup of coffee, check out a matinee, or stroll your local art fair together. If you can’t get together with friends, reach out over the phone and enjoy a nice long chat to catch up. If hearing loss causes you to shy away from phone calls, rely on a CapTel captioned telephone to make sure you catch every word of the conversation.
6. Learn something new
If you’re feeling restless, feed your need to learn. Take a trip to your local library and borrow a few books on interesting topics, visit an art museum or a historical exhibition, watch a documentary on subjects you’re passionate about, or learn how to cook a new recipe. There are endless ways to nourish your curiosity with new knowledge and a fresh perspective.
Learn something new every day with this list of 40 inspiring websites and courses.
7. Go sightseeing
When the mood strikes, consider taking a day trip to a new destination and check out all the sights. You can even stay close to home and act as a “tourist” in your own town. Where would you go if you were new to the area? Bring a friend along and fall in love with your home city all over again.
8. Experience the outdoors
Sometimes a breath of fresh air is all we need to refocus in life. Get away for the weekend with a camping trip to your local nature park or campground, kayak, hike the local forests, birdwatch, or relax and take in nature’s peace and serenity.
Check out more ways to experience nature here.
9. Start an observation journal
Writing can be an incredibly therapeutic way to pass the time. If you’re feeling bored, pull out a notebook or a piece of paper and start writing about anything comes to mind. You may choose to record observations about life, new ideas, poetry, stories, or dreams. There is no right or wrong way to journal, so try it out and see where it takes you.
10. Volunteer
Our last tip to help you beat boredom this summer is to volunteer in your local community. Many local organizations and charities have flexible volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Options include dedicating time to your local animal shelter, food pantry, hospital, sustainability organization, or children’s group.
Learn more about the benefits of volunteering for seniors here.
This summer, you can beat those pesky feelings of boredom by trying something new – and have fun while you’re at it! For more articles on health and wellness, visit our blog today.
