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We don't live in the days of candle light and quietness at night anymore. If we raised a person from a deep sleep from say the 1500's and showed them the Internet, automobiles, video games, CD and DVD's they would ask how we could ever be bored. Humans are a strange breed who's intelligence precedes us and our minds want ever more challenging tasks, events and stimulation. When we get bored it means we have already experienced all the things up until a certain point and decide we must seek new experiences. Like Evel Knievel, we want to test ourselves and see new things or explore new avenues.

Seeking new events and experiences is how humans evolved the way we did so it stands to reason that we tire of mundane events. It can be said that life is a distraction from itself. We spend two hours at a theater doing nothing but watching and taking in a movie. We spend 8 hours a day at work, we take care of kids or others in our lives. If we don't have a significant other we might write, draw, drive, go shopping and talk to friends or parents.

Stay inside too long and you can get "cabin fever". You're in the house, maybe it's raining or you just have a feeling of malaise and nothing sounds good. This happens to most of us at some point or another and there is not much one can do in this condition but to either get out for a drive, play in the snow or write a letter to a friend. I find that if there is sun outside a good remedy is to go take in some rays. The sun causes the body to take in vitamin D and can give you energy as well as a host of other bodily benefits. Being outdoors can not only boost the bodies immune system but also can pass the time with bird watching or just taking in nature overall.

There are those times that even knowing these things we can get caught up in just not wanting to do anything and not a thing sounds good, I am as guilty of that as anyone. We get in somber moods sometimes and this is entirely normal and common. It's easy to say "just go shopping", but when even that does not sound good we have to just let the mood pass, and it usually does. Sometimes depression can cause these moods and if it does not pass within a day there may be an underlying problem that needs attention.

Having said all of that I have a short list of itemized tips;

I'll start with the controversial one- Have a beer or glass of wine ( I don't recommend starting if you don't already drink).

Buy something new for yourself. Gift giving is rewarding so reward yourself.

Take a walk, run or have a good workout.

Get in the car and drive, preferably with the top down if it comes off.

Pick up the phone and call someone, anyone.

I'm sure you can think of others but those are the main things that I have incorporated to take care of my boredom. Of course we all have different personalities, introverts, extroverts, loners and Type A's, each of which may follow their own remedies for boredom. Whatever the case, and strangely enough, boredom is a normal human side effect of our own intelligence.

Learn more about this author, Rob Purifoy.
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