The National Anti-Boredom Month was created in the 1980s by Alan Caruba to stop people from ‘moping’ around because of boredom after the Independence Day holiday and before the Labor Day holiday. July heat often forces people indoors and students have not returned to school yet so finding fun things to do can be challenging. Anti-Boredom Month encourages everyone to identify what makes us bored and find ways to combat it.
We often associate being bored with having nothing to do, but that’s not always the case. Many times, we have plenty to do or are even doing it, but the task at hand does not stimulate our minds. It may be repetitive or not challenging enough.
When this happens, we can become irritable, tired, or begin to not care about how well we do a task. We may also seek out stimulation to relieve the boredom. Depending on what we seek, it may be good or bad for us.
Combat Boredom
To escape boredom, you can try your hand at different things. Finding creative and healthy ways to beat boredom will improve the everyday lives of both children and adults. Here are a few options.
- Play – Board games are an excellent way to fight boredom.
- Move – Exercise not only provides stimuli but also helps change the scenery and improve health.
- Learn – Visit a museum, read a book or take a class.
- Clean – Tackling a cluttered cupboard, closet or even garage brings about a bit of satisfaction for a job well done.
- Cook – Making in our own kitchen with ingredients we enjoy gives us two ways to be satisfied.
- Create – Even if you usually don’t create things (jewelry, pottery, furniture, clothing, etc.), simply trying can help break the boredom cycle.
- Volunteer – Helping someone who needs something more than you often makes us reassess why we were bored in the first place.
- Get Social – Visit a friend or neighbor. Kids, this includes you! Aunts, uncles or cousins would enjoy a friendly conversation over an ice-cold popsicle.
Boredom Also Has Benefits
Due to our often overload of stressful stimulants, it is good to feel bored now and then to give your brain some space to feel relaxed. Boredom should not happen frequently, however, it allows our minds to wander to new places. Studies have shown that this wandering leads to creative patterns and activities.
An Anti-Boredom Invitation
Another way to prevent frequent or prolonged boredom is to join me for “You Can’t Pour From An Empty Cup: Self-Love, Self-Care, and Self-Preservation for Women in Social Work”, on Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 6:30pm-8:30pm. REGISTER on EVENTBRITE.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, supports high-performing women of color in social work leadership in developing careers that feed their hearts, minds, and wallets. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams, volunteer recruitment and retention, and social impact programming. She is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. Nicki is a lover of cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
© 2023 Copyright Protected. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, supports high-performing women of color in social work leadership in developing careers that feed their hearts, minds, and wallets. As Founder and CEO of Nicki Sanders Leadership Consulting, her mission is simple – to eliminate toxic workplaces by developing skilled, empathetic, and goal-oriented leaders who have the vision, support, and resources to create a culture where business prospers, and employees thrive individually and collectively. Nicki has an extensive background in nonprofit management leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams, volunteer recruitment and retention, and social impact programming. She is an accomplished professor, coach, trainer, and group facilitator who has combined her gift for authentic relationships, Master of Social Work degree, and over 20 years of diverse work experience to create a life and career aligned with her values and purpose. Nicki is a lover of cupcakes, travel, and 80’s hip hop and R&B music.
© 2023 Copyright Protected. ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED.