How to beat boredom

As teenagers, my friend and I feel very restless. After college, we spend some time playing computer games, then watching TV, spend some time on social networking sites and then talk to each other on the phone. Of course we also study, but even after all this we find that we get extremely bored and feel like pulling our hair out. Our parents often yell at us that we keep cribbing about getting bored and that when they were young they never felt that way. Please tell us how to spend time constructively.- Vinay, Domalguda

The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom - Arthur Schopenhauer

I think this is not only your problem but of many teenagers around the globe. Boredom is simply a normal response to not knowing what to do with one’s energy, not knowing how to direct one’s life at the moment, feeling at a momentary loss about finding a meaningful way to connect with oneself, other people, or the world. Boredom creates a state of dissatisfaction that motivates people to find something meaningful to do.

Researchers led by psychological scientist John Eastwood of York University in Ontario, Canada, define boredom as "an aversive state of wanting, but being unable to engage in satisfying activity," which springs from failures in one of the brain's attention networks.

Psychologist Dr Carl Pickhardt, PhD, says that it's normal for teens to experience increased boredom as they are going through a transition from childhood to adulthood because they haven't quite figured out what they want to do with their newly found freedom. This stage is driven by dissatisfaction. He/she is not treated as child anymore.

Boredom is a part of the price they pay for the uncertain developmental journey they now undertake—having more times of not knowing what to do with themselves.More than ever before the young person wants freedom, to be independent, but what he or she discovers is that freedom is the birthplace of boredom. Now that they have more choices, what are they going to do with it? In many cases, the adolescent simply doesn’t know. The past is much clearer (“How I don’t want to be anymore”) than the future (“How I want to be instead.”) So rather than feeling excited, teenagers feel lost during their passage into adulthood.

Adolescents ages 12 to 17, who are bored, are 50 per cent more likely to smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs than those not bored, according to a study by the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Boredom is also known to cause eating disorders, compulsive gambling, anger, low school and work performance.

Why boredom is more in the current generation:

One factor that can make teens and adolescents bored easily and more difficult to manage is the arrival and availability of mass and multiple sources of electronic entertainment. Boredom is now easier to suppress by turning to a variety of electronic screens (TV, computer, cell phone, DVD player, etc) and enjoy instantly. It can be an instant escape and a high stimulation distraction that is readily available any boring time of day or night.

This availability of electronic distraction makes managing boredom more problematic because of two losses that it can create, both of which increase the predisposition to boredom. First, family has become more boring because there is less spoken communication and meaningful time together (with everyone glued to their respective screens.) And second, some resourcefulness to actively self-entertain has been lost because passive entertainment is so easy to access.

Often parents don’t understand this issue because this electronic medium was not available to them during their childhood. They were more involved in outdoor activities and real world interactions.

Boredom is not always a bad state. The other side of boredom is opportunity. It can be a chance to develop independence and resourcefulness. It can be a creative challenge. It can open up a young person to the possibilities arising from introspection and the desire to express themselves, maybe even artistically.

The solution to counter attack boredom is to feel fulfilled. Teenagers need to be involved in activities that make them feel productive with something they know they can master. It should bring them joy and provide personal growth.

Another solution is to be altruistic. A study of 1,500 volunteers found that participating in activities that made them feel they were contributing to someone else’s well-being caused them to feel a greater sense of euphoria, serenity and energy.

Steps to overcome boredom:

• Unleash real power of your mind

Set meaningful goals and drive every neuron in your body towards achieving your goals. Create strong, compelling useful positive beliefs. Feel motivated and experience personal freedom. Enhance your self-esteem. Build a rapport with everyone and anyone. Develop a charismatic personality. Feel on top of the world. Experience love, joy, happiness and build strong relationships.

• Volunteer

A constructive and worthwhile activity in which teens can participate is volunteering. Studies repeatedly suggested that doing volunteer work gives teens an opportunity to affect change toward a cause that they care about and help others in need. Participation in volunteer work can also help teens find new passions, expand their minds and feel better about themselves. Volunteer work also looks good on college and employment applications, and it gives teens a chance to strengthen their social and teamwork skills.

• Enjoy nature

Contemplating the beauty of nature offers a plethora of social, emotional and mental health benefits. Researchers from the University of Washington found that the benefits include stress reduction, improved cognitive functioning and increased social interactions. Involve yourself in some outdoor activities. Swimming in lakes is also an enjoyable way to spend time.

• Try to be active with an interesting group of people

These can be your regular friends, or perhaps you could join a new group of people who are interested in similar things. There are many clubs in local communities or online. Join one and participate in it regularly.

• Break out of your routine.

While it is important to have structure in your life, occasionally doing something different or unusual can be invigorating. You need to pay attention to your thoughts and daily activities and find ways not to submit yourself to drudgery and taking things for granted. Be spontaneous!

• Change your thoughts

Your thoughts affect your behaviour and mood. By changing your mind about the meaning of your emotions and experiences, you will generate a different attitude. Get inspired with powerful long-range goals. They will keep you inspired. You can't feel bored at the same time when you are motivated to build a life.

• Learn and practice meditation

Become aware of your feelings. Pay attention to the physical symptoms of your restlessness. Meditate. Try to just relax and stay awake for as long as you possibly can.

• Be creative

Use your imagination abundantly. Develop curiosity. Try to look at and do things differently and get yourself fascinated with other options and possibilities. Develop new hobbies, interests and do something exciting and stimulating. Avoid boring people and situations.

Some tips:

•Volunteer at your community, local hospital or elderly home. This can give you a great feeling of satisfaction in helping other people.

•Practice sports with friends. You won't be bored anymore and you'll be able to show off your skills at the next game and feel proud of what you accomplish.

•Take out your roller skates and get some exercise. Call up a friend and see if they want to come with you. Go to a park. Listen to the birds.

•Catch up on any homework that you might still have to do. While this can seem like the last thing you want to do, it could be just the thing to get your brain whirring.

•Journal your feelings and thoughts, either privately or on a blog. One of the ways to become aware of what triggers your boredom is to question yourself and take a hard look at it.

•Get your friends around and play something like a board game you haven't played in a while. If you haven't had any child-like fun recently here's your chance!

•Think of places you would like to visit, and why. Then, if possible, visit them and see if they live up to your expectations!

Warnings

•Don't get into any fights just because you're bored.

•Don't be tempted to experiment with drugs or do anything illegal to pass the time. This is really about the worst idea possible for curing boredom.

•Many people eat to overcome boredom, but you don't want to get carried away. Try using this as a chance to eat healthy foods, such as fruits or vegetables.