Get out of boredom - Now!
Modern urban life teaches us to remain occupied and busy. Most of us have trained our brain in a familiar pattern of actions, familiar work routines and repeated communication habits. Coronoavirus crisis has disrupted our familiar work patterns.
Suddenly, everyone is faced with a new work routine, new system and possibly more time.
It is like confronting mini-retirement.
What would you do if suddenly the whole world goes into lock down?
Let us examine how people generally react to extra free time.
Destructive Activities & Actions:
1) Food : Most people start eating more! If we are busy and engaged, we eat less. If you are at home, surrounded by opportunities to eat, you will start eating more quantity and more frequently.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/bad-appetite/201112/do-you-eat-out-boredom
2) Entertainment : Next is entertainment. Our world revolves around entertainment. We want to get entertained all the time. Movies, Tik-Tok videos, Internet, Social Media - we hop from one medium to another in search for entertainment.
https://diamondsndenimblog.com/entertainment-addiction/
3) Gossip : Gossip and meaningless chatter is our favorite activity to kill-time. When we get free we invalidate and humiliate people around us. We pass judgement and share our judgement with each other!
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-excess/201608/addicted-gossip
4) Getting Bored : When there is nothing to do, most people get bored! We can’t stay happy with ourselves. We need external stimulus or else we get bored. People desperately try to avoid the feeling of boredom and emptiness.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201706/eight-reasons-why-we-get-bored
5) Pointless Travel & Events : As we get bored, we go to places we don’t want to go. We participate in events without any interest or commitment.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/addicted-to-travel
6) Routine, Mechanical, Petty Activities : When we suddenly have lots of free time, we get engaged in routine, mechanical, lifeless and petty activities. We keep running our work routines without any awareness or joy.
7) Unconscious Thought Patterns : We all run familiar thought patterns. We have a network of interlinked stories, opinions and interpretations. We run these stories in our mind. Get engaged and engrossed in our fascinating inner world of stories and drama!
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/addicted-to-travel
8) Unnecessary Shopping : To kill time, we start shopping in malls or online. We buy things that we don’t need.
https://www.verywellmind.com/shopping-addiction-4157288
All these activities drain us. We lose our energy, time, relationship and resources.
Productive Activities & Actions :
1) Health - Exercise & Breathe Control :
One of the best ways to spend time is exercise, walking, running or swimming. If you like you can practice Yoga and Pranayam or Breathe Control. Breath control exercises have proven to produce outstanding results.
2) Spiritual Practice - Prayer & Meditation :
Prayer in its simplest form is to remember or connect with divine energy that creates, sustains and permeates life. Prayer is also to express gratitude for the blessings showered on our life. Meditation is to be silent, be mindful and remain as a detached witness to our inner world. Time spent in meditation and prayer is the most productive use of time. Outwardly, others may consider time spent in meditation or prayer as simply a wasteful activity. However, numerous studies and clinical trials have proven the outstanding benefits of these activities.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070314195638.htm
3) Education & Practice - Learning Concept & Practicing for Mastery :
Learning something new is the food for the brain. Keep a list of things you wish to learn or documentaries you plan to watch. Make an inventory of your skills and identify new skills that will make the biggest difference to your life. Learn new skills. Practice your current skills. Learn technology!
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/learning-rewires-brain
4) Contribution :
Everyone can contribute in some way. Explore ideas to contribute to your community and people around you.
5) Creation :
Creation is the fulfillment of human existence. Write, Sing, Dance, Compose Music, Cook - Create something. Express yourself. Life is short. Express yourself fully.
6) Cleaning & Organizing :
To be productive, you need to be organized. If you have spare time, start cleaning, organize your home, work-space and your life.
7) Sharing :
You can share people’s joy and sorrows. Listen to life experiences of people around you. Allow people to express themselves. Create safe space for people.
There is so much to do! Get ready and get into action.
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