How to Overcome Boredom During the Holidays

FateSpunky

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posted on 14 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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No matter your age, from the very young to the very old, there can come a point amid all the holiday excitement where a bit of boredom sets in. For children, this might be as a result of having played with all the new games and toys and no longer finding them exciting. For workaholics, despite the welcome respite of a few days off to relax, the slower pace can sometimes seem way too slow. And for many, after the initial excitement of buzzing about preparing everything for the festive events and parties, a sudden drop in fun things to do can leave a sense of wilting into oblivion. But before you despair and waste those precious days off work, study or other occupations wallowing in boredom, transform your snooze-fest into a fun fest!

Steps

Play games

Play board games. There are likely to be board games in the family home or at your friend's house. You can stick to the tried and true ones like Monopoly, Clue, or Snakes and Ladders. Or you can get more deeply involved in role playing or strategy games, like Agricola, Carcassonne, Puerto Rico or Settlers of Catan. Some of the more famous board games are now available for playing on the iPad. This can be useful if you can't find the real board game at home––simply download the game (such as Monopoly), place the iPad down on a table you can all sit around and begin to play. You can pause for breaks and even come back another day, all without losing your places!

Play mentally stimulating games. Games like Pente, Blokus, chess and Quoridor will have you thinking strategy and pitting your wits against your opponent. You won't have time to notice boredom anymore.

Play card games. There are many card games, from solitaire, poker and Bohnanza, Tichu or Pit.

Play mind games. No, not the sort in which you wind up Aunt Matilda until she finally explodes. Rather, this is the sort of mind games mentalists engage in. For example: Observe the people around you and try to work out what they're thinking and what sort of holiday experience they're having. Can you read their emotions from their body language alone? Cold read. Choose someone as bored as you and offer to read their mind. Of course, you'll need to focus on something you don't know about the other person, so a friend you haven't seen for a while or a more distant relative might be better choices than someone close. Make someone say something without realizing you're manipulating them. For example, see How to make someone say carrot by way of example.

Get out of the house

Visit friends and family in their homes. Take along something to share and have a good long chat with them.

Offer to help out at a charity. Find out what you can offer, from making and serving food to handing out needed supplies. Getting involved with projects that help other people in need will give you a sense of purpose.

Exercise or get out into nature. Doing physical exercise like walking, running, hiking or cycling will give you more energy and quickly puts a stop to feeling bored. If it's too cold to be outside, look for indoor sports and exercise opportunities instead.