Seven Tips
for avoiding Boredom
Many senior citizens have a lot of
time on their hand and do not know how to kill time. Loneliness and having
nothing specific to do are main factors leading to boredom and perhaps
depression. We must avoid being bored at any point of time, even for a few
hours. It is self defeating attitude and ‘entertaining’ boredom may ultimately
leave us highly frustrated. Here are some tips to ward off boredom.
1.
Play
some Word game or number games. Even newspapers offer Sudoku, Crossword
puzzles, Scramble, jumble and the like. Have a go at it whatever you are good
at. No age is old for learning new things. I have known my friends swear that
Sudoku keeps them occupied.
2.
Go
for a brisk walk. Do some mild exercise. Just stretch your self, feet and arms.
Laugh aloud if you are alone. Learn about acupressure points in your body and
massage them. Any physical activity which gives a
break for 20 to 30 minutes will also break boredom.
3.
Dust
your old tape recorder, CD Player, Radio or World Space unit. Start listening
to any music you in which you are interested. When I took to Internet in early
Nineties I thought that people Search the Net for Sex mostly. No, I was wrong.
Music is most searched for, even today. As they say, music is the soul of life.
Listen to some soul stirring music to forget yourself.
4.
Pick
up your pen and paper and write a letter to a friend whom you have forgotten.
Or open your laptop and compose a few messages. They could even be ‘official’
complaints to civic authorities on local colony problems. Why wait for the
Resident Welfare Association to take action? You will be twice blessed for such pro active
social work.
5.
Pick
up a book that have read and would not mind donating it. Write your Name &
address and leave a note that anyone that picks ac read and circulate the book
again. Leave the book stealthily in a park bench and see furtively who picks it
up. If this works for you, read more about “Book Crossing” and do
this activity systematically.
6.
Go
to a nearby park. Seek out another lonely senior. A total stranger is better. Strike
a friendship. Then listen to him without any interruption for at least thirty
minutes. Once you know the myriad ways in which people keep them selves happy /
unhappy, your loneliness will vanish.
7.
Meditate.
It is the incessant stream of thoughts that are meaningless that bore you.
Cease to think. Just sit quietly observing your breath. Wait eagerly and
watchfully for a thought to occur. Ignore it. Don’t let your mind chain it with
something else and extend the process of meaningless wandering. Try to be in
thoughtless state for a few minutes. Boredom flies.
All the tips given above are simple
and practicable. No money is involved. They will take care of your body mind
and soul. Just try and see.