Boredom Kit 101:

Music is life, they say. It makes people happy, connects us to a myriad of memories, and gives life meaning. In the scientific level, listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory, according to a John Hopkins Medicine article. When you’ve got music going in the background, however, the mind has something interesting to keep it occupied aside from what is being focused on work-wise. This helps to reduce boredom and increase one’s ability to properly tackle whatever task may be at hand. Music has the power to uplift your mood and make you feel more positive. It can bring joy, excitement, or relaxation, depending on the type of music you choose. Music also has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels. It can help distract your mind from negative thoughts and worries, thus, providing a sense of calm. 

Researchers also highlight that regular practice of an instrument and reading sheet music can help sustain a good working memory and the ability to solve complex tasks. They also believe that playing a musical instrument should be considered as part of a new lifestyle approach to protect brain health. In addition, playing a musical instrument or making music was also found to make the brain release endorphins—chemicals that induce feelings of joy and pleasure and block the nerve cells that cause us to feel stress and pain. This is because our brains use the same “roadways”—or neural pathways—to process pain as music does. So when we're playing an instrument or singing, we’re using those roadways, reducing their bandwidth for processing mental or physical pain. Likewise, music releases dopamine (the "feel good" neurotransmitter) causing us to feel emotions like happiness, excitement, and joy. The act of making music involves understanding emotional messaging, requiring us to tap into, acknowledge, and express our feelings.

So if you got some extra time in your hands, consider learning a musical instrument. Study records that learning music has different facets and involves many body parts and both brain hemispheres and is usually hard to do, especially when one is at the beginning of their journey, but the good news is adults have a better chance to find a musical instrument they like, as they have had time to educate their music preferences.

According to a study, as we sit through the layers of boredom, we can begin to exhaust this eagerness to compare, to jump from where we are to somewhere else, to fill up every moment with something. Practicing meditation when you're bored can help you cultivate a sense of calm, presence, and self-awareness, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling experience of the present moment. Boredom can sometimes be accompanied by feelings of restlessness or frustration. Meditation techniques such as deep breathing and body scanning can help you relax and reduce stress, allowing you to feel more at ease. 

According to an article, new ideas and thoughts pop up in your mind by active reading. It stimulates and develops your brain and gives you a new perspective. Books become handy during hours of travel or days of vacation. You can't actually go wrong with reading — you get relaxed, destressed, entertained, and you gain knowledge. Curling up with a good book can be a comforting and soothing experience, especially if you're feeling restless or agitated due to boredom. 

If you're feeling bored, it might be because you're mentally or physically fatigued. Taking a nap can provide a quick break and help refresh your mind and body, leaving you feeling more energized and ready to engage with the world around you. Taking nap when you're feeling bored can be a simple yet effective way to rejuvenate yourself and shake off feelings of monotony or disinterest. Just be sure not to oversleep, as that can leave you feeling groggy or even more tired than before. Aim for a short nap of around 20-30 minutes to reap the benefits without interfering with your sleep schedule.  

Feeling bored is pretty common, isn't it? It's like your brain is craving some stimulation or excitement. Take it as your body, through boredom, is signaling your brain that it's time to switch things up a bit. Maybe it's a cue to try something new, pick up a hobby, or dive into a good book. How about you brainstorm some activities or ideas to shake off that boredom? What are you interested in?