Anti-boredom: Tips To Combat Stress and Boredom

Stress and Boredom

“I’m bored, there’s nothing to do”. We generally expect that as summer vacation moves through the weeks, that this expression of boredom will be a familiar complaint. However, this year is different. Our children have been home for months and like our kids, many parents are tired of dealing with stress and boredom complaints.

Boredom is described as “the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest”.

Boredom is generally a self-inflicted problem.

For children, the anticipation of summer-fun wanes as the summer goes on and all those previously fun activities start to feel stale. Contributing to the sense of stress and boredom, may be that their separation from friends is dragging them down.

American Psychological Association lists finding little pleasure in life and losing interest in hobbies, among the signs of Depression, and an extended period of boredom can indicate that Depression is setting in. So as parents, beware.

The Antidote To Stress and Boredom

The antidote to stress and boredom is curiosity. Curiosity happens when you start to explore the world around you. Beverly Beuermann-King Click to tweet

You will be less likely to feel bored if you go out and get active, pick up a new hobby, or just change the routine. You will be too busy and stimulated to feel bored.

Beverly’s 5 Tips For Combating Stress and Boredom By Celebrating Anti-boredom Month:

Ideas for Parents. Help your children to:

Make up a new sport. Forget crab soccer try crab croquet. When your children have created new games or new rules for an old game, their mind is more engaged and time will fly by.
Change the scenery. Set up a tent or a picnic area in your backyard. Pretend you are in a different country. Research and then sets the scene.
Put out a challenge. Design the classic scavenger hunt or let your kids design the challenge for an activity and see what they come up with. What about paper airplane races?
Write out and act a medieval play. Let them design a set, complete with dragons and swords.
Brainstorm. Come up with a list of the most boring things to do and see how the creative juices kick in.

And if all else fails – suggest a list of chores that they can complete. You will be amazed at how quickly they can find activities to entertain themselves.

If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!