ARE YOU BORED OR DEPRESSED?
Covid-work-from-home, Covid quarantine, and Covid distance-learning. Did I miss anything? Unplanned downtime makes some people anxious. For most people, it’s just boring. When boredom goes on too long, we get irritated, tired, and depressed. — Can boredom really become that serious? What are the signs that it is advancing to depression and when should you seek help?
What is boredom?
General boredom happens when we’ve lost interest or need rest. The worst kind of boredom happens when we can’t do anything about it. Imagine listening to a boring professor drone on and on. It is a frustrating, helpless type of boredom. California’s Covid-19 Stay-at-Home Order is that type of boredom. It canceled school, work, restaurants, travel, and the mall in Southern California. — If you’re laid off work, you may find yourself lounging in your PJs all day, binging on Netflix and social media and watching the news nonstop. Perhaps you’re snacking and sleeping in a lot. What can we do when we are this bored?
7 Tips to Beat Boredom
Boredom is irritating and we’ll naturally look for ways to make it stop. Instinctively, we know to change routine, change scenery, or start something new. With the Stay-at-Home Order in place, we don’t have much flexibility. Here are some ideas to burst through boredom:
1. Create a frame for your day
Establish structure through a routine. Pick a consistent wake-up time. Get up and make your bed. Shower, wash your face, brush your teeth, and comb your hair. Prepare for the day with intention. Wear PJs with pride if you like. Grab a cup of coffee, find a quiet place, and journal. Meditate. Keep a few things in your routine that are the same each day—e.g., making your bed, making coffee, journaling, or take a short walk twice a day.
2. Move your body
Make space to dance or do yoga in the living room. Walk, hike, run, and play with your animals more.
3. Keep in touch with people
Maintain emotional connectivity. Text, phone, FaceTime, and Skype to keep in touch virtually with your friends and family, especially if you live alone. Use virtual meeting software like Zoom and Google Hangouts to hold virtual parties, happy hour, book clubs, and cook together.
4. Track your food
Stress and boredom can disrupt our eating habits. If boredom affects you in this way, consider keeping a food log. Junk food weakens the immune system and makes it harder to fight diseases like COVID-19. Eat as clean and green as you can. Your brain, mood, and immune system will thank you.
5. Start that Project
Is there a project you’ve been putting off? What is needed to turn it into reality? Make a list and go for it.
6. Create a List of Boredom Busters
Learn your boredom cues and what they mean. Is your body telling you to slow down and rest? Then do so. Perhaps your boredom means you need change. Having a list of things that break that mood is key. Explore activities that inspire you and motivate you to do something—even if it’s just moving to another room and looking out the window, doing some jumping jacks, or taking a shower.
7. Track Your Mood
Mind-body awareness is a useful skill when we’re feeling confused, out of control, and anxious. It slows us down, helps us think clearly, and teaches us not to be afraid of our uncomfortable feelings. Pay attention to your emotions and body sensations. You might try creating a word cloud around the word boredom or draw a picture, write a journal entry, or make a voice recording focusing on your feelings regarding boredom. Allow yourself to relax and be honest and open.
There is a lot to learn from your response to the Stay-at-Home restrictions. Some of you reading this will do all the things and feel accomplished and energized. But there are some who will read the list of tips and feel more anxiety. They feel overwhelmed because they’re worried about the future and have no energy to spare.
Boredom v. Depression
Currently, no one knows when things will get back to normal in Southern California. As time goes by, social distancing will feel like social isolation to some. Looming financial obligations, the realities of decreased work hours or job loss, and the toll of increased time with family as well as the fear of infection all amplify feelings of losing control over one’s life. Frustration gives way to angry outbursts or inexplicable tears. Efforts to suppress anxiety and worry are punishing to the mind and body and can lead to withdrawal and extreme sadness.
Is your Boredom Turning into Depression?
Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, joylessness, hopelessness, irritability, fatigue, and worthlessness. Are fun things no longer fun? Are you sleeping more—or less? Is it harder to get out of bed? Do you feel short-tempered and overly reactive or cry easily? If you resonate with more than a few symptoms of depression, seek help.
Call or email your doctor and request a teletherapy appointment.
Reconnect with your therapist or find a new one.
Most mental health professionals, myself included, are offering online counseling options during this time. I’d love to hear from you.
In the meantime, remember to create a routine with a rhythm to it. Stay emotionally connected to people. Get fresh air and sunshine every day. Help others in need. Offer to shop for a senior. Keep your brain active and observe your thoughts. If they are increasingly pessimistic or dark, could you be watching or listening to too much news? Pick a trusted news source and set a time and a limit on when you check-in for updates.
Most importantly, acknowledge and face your feelings. If you feel scared, tell someone. If you want to cry, cry. It takes courage to do so in our society, but it is the beginning of self-love and self-care. You are not alone. We’re all in this together.
I hope the information presented is helpful. If you have specific questions or concerns, please book a call for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’ll be happy to listen and direct you to the right person.
DEPRESSION QUIZZES:
Kaiser Depression Self Assessment Quiz*
PsycheCentral Quick Depression Test*
Psyche Central Depression Quiz*
*Disclaimer: Psychology quizzes are not meant to diagnose. They help you understand and decide if a mental health or relationship issue may be a concern.
Brigitte Knight is a Human Design educator and mentor as well as a Human Design informed counselor. She loves teaching people to use their Designs to improve their relationships.
She helps former Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others manage religious trauma, anxiety, guilt, loneliness, and depression.
Her life’s experience as a Registered Nurse, therapist, ex-Jehovah’s Witness, and Human Design practitioner since 2006 can help you start living your best life.