Great ways to relieve stress and beat boredom

Journaling, trying your hand at photography, cooking, drawing or painting. can all be great ways to help you overcome boredom.

We all get bored from time to time, and one of the best ways to overcome this is to find creative ways to express yourself. From cooking to experimenting with fashion and photography, here are some ideas to help you beat the boredom.

Write a diary

Journaling is a powerful form of self-expression. You can journal anytime, anywhere. One of the great things about writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences is that there are no rules to follow.

Some people choose to journal every day, while others only write when they want to 'get their feelings out.' You can keep your journal as neat or as messy as you like.

Make something from scratch

Having a 'project' that you can work on for hours, days, or weeks is a great way to relieve stress. (Source: Rest Less).

Making something yourself – whether it's a chair, a blanket, or a bar of soap – can be very rewarding. Many people find it a good way to relieve stress.

Having a project that you can work on for hours, days, or weeks can also give you something productive to focus on, while also learning some new skills.

This is also a useful way to turn negative thoughts and emotions into something tangible that you can use and enjoy the 'results.'

Choose something you're passionate about, have a practical use for, or give as a gift to a loved one. This way, you're more likely to enjoy the process and see it through.

Try being a photographer

The great thing about photography is that you can take photos all day long, no matter where you are or what you're doing. Photography can be a great creative 'place' because you can focus on whatever inspires you - nature, food or your pets.

 With photography, you can focus on whatever inspires you. (Source: Rest Less)

This is also a great way to 'take note' of beautiful sights that you often overlook or take for granted on a daily basis.

Cooking

Cooking can be a great way to overcome boredom. There are so many options to choose from and you can be creative. You can cook your favorite dishes or experiment with a new recipe that is packed with exciting colors and flavors.

Cooking is also a way of self-care. It is 'satisfying' to know that you are taking care of yourself and your loved ones by creating a delicious meal to enjoy.

Draw or color

Anyone can draw or paint - no matter how good an 'artist' you consider yourself. Take a pencil or paintbrush to paper as a way to let loose and express your creativity.

Your art doesn't have to mean anything to anyone but you - nor do you have to show it to anyone if you don't want to. Be free of rules and expectations.

Experiment with fashion

Expressing yourself in a way that you like can help you feel more positive and influence your confidence and motivation. Experimenting with different 'looks' is a way to express your personality.

Wearing what you feel comfortable in will help you feel 'empowered' to tackle things with confidence. Spending time experimenting with different outfits, 'playing around' with different hairstyles and makeup can also be fun.

Immerse yourself in music

Maybe you have an organ, an old harmonica, or a guitar that's been collecting dust - or maybe you've always loved singing but never devoted much time to it. If so, why not develop your musical talent?

YouTube has tons of tutorials that can help you learn to play instruments, compose music, and sing.

 Listening to music is a great way to improve your mood. (Source: Rest Less).

Also, if you don't feel like composing your own music, listening to music can be a great way to improve your mood. Why not try creating your own 'playlist' ?

You can create a 'playlist' of all your favorite music, a 'playlist' for when you need motivation, or even a 'playlist' of sad songs that are 'perfect' for when you need to cry.

Chat with people

One of the best ways to beat boredom is to talk to the people in your life — whether it's for an intimate chat or to vent your emotions.

An easy way to stay connected is to video call loved ones. Or, if you're suffering from screen fatigue, you can make a phone call or arrange an in-person meeting — for a walk or coffee.

You can also connect with new people through online forums or Facebook groups. These are great places to have interesting or useful conversations with people who share similar interests or experiences as you.