7 Ways to Prevent Boredom among Adults

By: Liz Creasman, Recreation Therapist

The weather is getting cooler and soon, cabin fever may set in. When this happens, it’s hard to stay entertained rather than feeling bored or anxious. Here are seven ideas to prevent boredom among adults!

  1. Pick up a new hobby or restart an old one
    Consider activities that you’ve enjoyed in the past and why you stopped them. Oftentimes, we discontinue hobbies because of time limitations or frustration with the project. It may be time to revisit these barriers and overcome them! Revisit an unfinished project or consider starting a new one with materials you already have related to this activity.
  2. Use technology to connect with others
    A great way to stay connected with a loved one is to schedule a video chat or phone call. There are even games you can play together virtually! Most video chats also have a screen share option so only one person needs to download the game on their device. Here are a few ideas:
    www.jeopardylabs.com
    www.pogo.com
    www.jackboxgames.com
  3. Get outside
    There are many healing elements of the outdoors, including vitamin D and decreased anxiety. If physically going outside is not an option, consider changing your view to look out of a window or explore the outdoors through videos, podcasts, and guided imagery.
  4. Take on a challenge
    There are tons of creative challenges on social media, including variations of cooking competitions, fitness tasks, and artist copycats. You could also break down one of your personal goals into smaller parts to accomplish over a few weeks.
  5. Streaming and virtual tours
    Technology has truly added an element of accessibility to many attractions. Many fitness studios and museums have virtual offerings. Check out your favorite tourist attraction’s website to see what they are providing! A few of my favorites are:
    www.chrysler.org
    www.projectyogarichmond.org
    www.artsandculture.google.com
  6. Stick to a schedule
    Mimic your routine. If you typically meet a group of friends for an activity, find ways to connect with them! Make a list of tasks that you would like to get done, then break them down hourly.
  7. Allow time to rest
    Set aside time for your self-care routine to refuel.

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