by Linda Joyce

Created on: March 22, 2009

Even with today's hectic pace, there are still people who claim to be bored and need help finding ways to alleviate their boredom. Are you one of them?

If you are, following are ten surefire tips to help you keep boredom at bay:

1. Try Something New

If you have followed the same route to work for the past 20 years, of course you are going to be bored. Try finding a new way that will take you out of your stupor and help you discover some new places that you may (in your free time) be interested in exploring.

2. Switch Your Daily Routines

Do you always wake up, jump in the shower, get dressed, and then eat breakfast? Do you eat the same thing every morning? Well, shake it up! Try getting up, breakfasting outside, maybe taking a short walk to wake up, then doing your morning hygiene. To do the same thing each day in the same way IS boring.

3. Join a Club or Organization

Want to meet new people? Think of what you are interested in and look for an organization that revolves around that interest. Maybe you've always loved animals. Think about volunteering at an animal shelter. A bonus is you might meet some interesting people who have a lot in common with you.

4. Look for New Outings

If you are stuck in a rut renting a video every Friday night and having takeout pizza, alter your routine. Meet a friend or another couple for dinner and a movie or go dancing. Maybe even head downtown for an evening of window shopping on a mild night.

5. Learn Something New

Most of us have something that we've always wanted to do but have a list of excuses why we haven't gotten around to it yet. Stop making excuses and go for it. Are you interested in writing? Sign up for a class (even online) without further delay. It may be difficult to take the initial step, but once you do, I promise you will feel alive and excited with your new endeavor.

6. Travel to Somewhere You've Never Been

Many of us get hung up on returning to places we've enjoyed over and over again. There is a whole big world out there. Consider venturing out of your comfort zone and finding a new place to visit and explore.

7. Make New Friends

Be open to invitations. Don't be a couch potato. If a friend from work asks you to meet him or her for a night out with some of their friends, make yourself go. You never know what will happen.

8. Volunteer

Helping others can be a great cure for boredom. There are so many people in need of assistance in such a variety of ways, anything you can do will be considered a blessing. And the bonus for you is the good feeling you will have from doing it.

9. Teach Someone Something

If you have expertise in a certain area, there are people just waiting for you to mentor them. Offer your services and wait and see all the responses you get.

10. Create Something

You probably say you aren't creative, but you probably are in some way. Surprise yourself. Maybe you can come up with a new knockout recipe, or perhaps you'd like to try your hand at sculpture. You will never know what you are capable of until you try.

Hopefully, one of these ideas will jump-start others for you, and boredom will become a thing of the past.

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