In today’s age it is so easy to kill time when you’re bored. Got nothing to do? Watch a movie, stream a show, or simply scroll through your Instagram feed.
With so many entertainment options, boredom is no longer a problem.
However, this mindless entertainment won’t get you anywhere. Too much scrolling on social media has consistently proven to be toxic for mental health. Moreover, spending your time on entertainment doesn’t seem fulfilling.
What if you could do be more productive when bored? You could come out of your boredom as a winner by utilizing your time wisely and meaningfully to improve yourself or help make the world a better place.
Here are 9 productive things to do when you’re bored that won’t just bring you momentous joy but will add more meaning to your life.
1. Stay Bored
Boredom is actually beneficial for the mind
No you did not read that wrong. You might be thinking, what kind of advice is that! The fact of the matter is that staying bored is one of the most productive thing you could possibly do.
Psychologists and neuroscientists are now discovering that getting bored is good for your brain. Throughout the day, your brain is constantly working and seeking stimulation. So instead of looking for something to do in your free time, it is a good idea to do nothing and just rest your brain.
The state of boredom infuses creativity, increases your motivation toward your goals, helps improve your social connections, and provides a much-needed space for your brain to relax.
2. Declutter and Organize your Room/Workspace
Organizing your space helps you declutter your mind
“Clean your room” is one of the most hated instructions we ever received as a child, but did you know that cleaning and organizing our living spaces have enormous positive impacts on our lives?
Studies have shown that such a simple act as cleaning your room significantly lowers stress, anxiety, and depression. It also helps improve your focus at work and improves your sleep quality. Organizing your room first thing in the morning gives you a sense of accomplishment and control that you need to get through your entire day.
Remember, your room and workspace are a reflection of your mind. A tidy room echoes a tidy mind.
“A man’s house is his castle. So if you can’t maintain order in your own home, what hope do you have of managing anything else?”
-Jordan Peterson, Clinical Psychologist
3. Redecorate your House
A room makeover is symbolic of a fresh start
You can take your room organizing to the next level by redecorating it.
Giving your room a makeover is an opportunity to express yourself and be creative. It gives a fresh vibe to your room and benefits you in ways you never noticed. You get rid of your clutter and think of ways to arrange your space in a way that complements your needs. This whole activity improves your mood and also boosts your motivation as a new environment rings of a fresh start.
4. Take Up a New Hobby
Taking up a new hobby is a productive way to kill boredom
Research shows that people who engage in hobbies are less likely to experience mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. You need to find some activity you enjoy spending time on, as it helps you build your focus and channel your negative thoughts and energy more positively. Hobbies that can get you out and about enable you to forge new connections and make you a more interesting person.
5. Listen to a Podcast
Podcasts are a great way to learn new things
Ever wondered why every other influencer’s productive morning routine includes listening to a podcast?
Podcasts are a great way to invest your time learning new things directly from the experts and get inspired. Many great podcasts offer food for thought, and you can choose depending on your field of interest. Unlike video documentaries, podcasts cut down your screen time by allowing you to educate yourself without staring at the screen. Moreover, it can hone your listening skills by attending to people talking for a long time without seeing them.
6. Practice a Self-Care Ritual
Self care actually improves your productivity
If you’re like most people who do not follow self-care practices in your daily routine, now might be a good time to get started.
Pamper yourself by taking a relaxing bath, treating your skin with a thorough cleansing ritual (go extra fancy with those cucumber slices over your eyes), and soaking your feet in warm, salty water. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure, and don’t forget to do a face and neck massage, especially on the eyes. Have a herbal tea with naturally relaxing and detoxifying ingredients such as chamomile.
This self-care ritual will relax your body muscles and help reduce your stress. Self-care activities also keep your self-esteem at a healthy level by giving a message to your brain that you matter.
8. Take an Online Course
Another way to use your free time more constructively is to take an online course. Learn a new skill, sharpen an old one, or take some personal development classes. There are so many online resources that offer free courses from experts and professors from top universities.
9. Create Productive Content
Creating productive content helps you in personal development
We spend so much of our time-consuming content that others make, but have you ever thought about creating content yourself?
We’re living in a digital age which means adding value to other people’s lives has become very easy, yet many people hesitate to switch from being a consumer to a creator.
This is because creating requires critical thinking and creativity, which is more taxing to our brains. Becoming a content creator is a wonderful opportunity for your self-development as it helps you explore your creativity and intellect to produce something. It allows you to learn new things, such as social media and digital marketing, graphic design, website development, and more! You can create effective content that people can benefit from, such as writing a blog to share your knowledge or creating social media reels to share your valuable experiences.
Content creation can become a side hustle that can help you make some extra bucks or even evolve into a full-time business.