Boredom
bore; boredom; bored;
Contents
Everyone feels bored at times. Some people seem to think it's cool to be bored or pretend to be, like in a lesson or when you are listening to someone talk and you can't get a word in yourself!
Sometimes boredom can become a way of life, when everything is just too much trouble, you don't feel like trying and you're just plain bored with your life.
What is boredom?
Boredom is the feeling you get when you:
- think there is nothing interesting or worthwhile to do in your life
- think that what you are doing is not challenging or interesting
- think that everyone else is busy and you are out of it all
- think that you can't contribute usefully to anything
- think that something is too hard so you convince yourself that it is too boring rather than having a go
- think that every day is the same old, same old….
Causes of boredom
Teens often feel like they are the victim of mood swings.
The teen years are times when young people are struggling to find their identity, self image, establishing themselves as no longer a child in their family and friendship groups and trying to cope with the hormonal changes of puberty all at the same time!
- Maybe schoolwork may seem too easy or too hard.
- Maybe friendships may change or be lost.
- Maybe your lifestyle becomes less active, eg you may have given up sport or spend more time sitting around.
- Maybe you find it difficult to talk about your fears and feelings.
- Maybe you feel tired much of the time.
- Maybe you are sick of the way things are at home.
- Maybe you are depressed.
Dangers of boredom
Feeling bored for a lot of the time can lead to;
- Feelings of hopelessness.
- Depression.
- Conflict with family, friends or teachers.
- Feeling bad about yourself and how you appear to others.
- Feeling angry.
- Feeling stressed.
- Getting involved in criminal activity.
- Using drugs to make yourself feel better or 'out of it.'
What you can do
If you are the victim of boredom for much of the time then you need to recognise that and look for ways to take control of your life
- Recognise that you are in charge of your feelings not the other way round.
- Recognise that you are not alone. Other people feel like this so look for someone to talk with. Someone you can trust either at home, in your peer group, a school counsellor or teacher, sports coach or any adult whom you can trust to listen and respect your confidence.
- Exercise! Walking, running, biking, skateboarding, playing or practicing sports are all good ways to release endorphins into the brain and lift your mood. And while you are exercising you haven't got time to be bored. You don't have to be an athlete to get the benefits from physical exercise. You will look and feel healthier, sleep better and be more relaxed even if you are the world's most uncoordinated mover!
- Get enough sleep by keeping regular hours so that your body is ready to sleep when you get to bed.
- Get involved! Joining with others, having hobbies, helping people, being part of a group, need not be expensive but keeps you busy and living your life rather than existing on a daily basis.
- Cry. It's ok for young people to cry when they are feeling sad, lonely, bored, afraid of the future, even if you are a male! Letting out your feelings is like washing away all the negative stuff that makes you feel bored and gives you a feeling of peace.
- Laugh. Laughing is great for making you feel positive so look for the humour in life. Laugh at yourself and the way you are letting boredom take over your life. Then get on with living your own life.
Take on a challenge
Here are some ideas that young people have come up with to make life more interesting.
- Check the topic Employment for some ideas on volunteer work, getting grants, and online youth media sites.
- Draw, paint or write (poems or stories) for pleasure or as a form of expression. You can learn how to do it online. Search 'learn to draw'.
- Visit or phone a friend or relative. Hang out.
- Make something - use wood, material, beads, or paints…
- Join a club, group or get involved in a community project. Check out our topic Exercise.
- Do some volunteer work - there are tonnes of things to get involved in. Ask at your local council or community centre.
In South Australia, check out http://www.volunteeringsa.org.au
- Get hooked on fishing, rock-climbing, mountain biking, skating, surfing…
- Read a book or write your own! There are loads of sites that can help you learn to write, and even places to send stuff to and get people to read it.
- Start a blog. It's like an online diary.
- Take up belly dancing, aerobics, yoga or meditation.
- Cook an exotic meal, a cake or a huge batch of biscuits. If you can, invite your friends over or enjoy it with your family. Make it special. Check out our topic Healthy eating.
- Go camping - take a can of baked beans and a tent and have a great time!
- Investigate aromatherapy or the universe or start a collection.
- Go for a hike at the beach or a national park nearby.
- Check out the museum, art gallery, library or any exhibitions on at the moment.
- For some ideas in South Australia, check out http://www.eventspool.com/cgi-bin/deep.pl
- What is important is you find things that are challenging, interesting and value you. Go for it! Take charge. This is your life, don't let boredom take over!
Resources
South Australia
- The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
- Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
- West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
Contact TSS via the Youth Health line on 1300 13 17 19
- Events pool http://www.eventspool.com/cgi-bin/deep.pl
- Your local Community Health Centre
- Your local doctor
- Your school, university or college counsellor
- Your local library may have further reading
Australia
- Kids Helpline Ph: 1800 551 800
References
Tkach, C. and Lyumbomirsky, S. How do people pursue happiness? Relating personality, happiness-increasing strategies, and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 2006; 7:183-225.
http://www.faculty.ucr.edu/~sonja/papers/TL2006.pdf
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).