When boredom strikes, figuring out what to do can seem like a insurmountable task, especially when the budget is tight. For the most part, however, boredom can be overcome with a little creativity, learning something new or simply distracting the brain for a while.
Free Online Games
Free games on the internet are a great distraction in short bursts and some can stimulate logical and creative thinking. Many of the game websites have sections that are for free game play. Most of these are made available as a means to draw in members for their paid sections so they offer popular games for free, but with limited capabilities or as trial versions such as can be found on GameHouse.com. Some sites, like Pogo.com offer free games that are interrupted for occasional commercial breaks. With a paid membership, these interruptions can be eliminated which is why they can offer their free games fully functional.
Online Social Networking
Sites such as Facebook or Myspace make games available to their members through advertisers and developers that create "apps" for their sites. Most of these games link friends together, creating a competitive or helpful atmosphere, depending on the game which can help to add to the fun of the game.
Online social networking is also a popular way to keep up with friends and coworkers as well a to interact with strangers who share common interests.
Make Some Money on Online Writing Sites
Nothing helps get rid of boredom like sharing knowledge of interests with others. There are some internet sites that offer payment to writers for their knowledge about particular topics. Some, like Demand Studios pay directly per article that is submitted and some pay residual income over the lifetime of an article dependent upon the number of hits an article or its advertising receives. Sites such as Suite101 or Examiner are examples of this kind of site.
Online Games For Somewhat Twisted Minds
To break the boredom in a way that is a little different, the folks at Addicting Games have some games that display a bit of a twisted mind like "Septic Tank Smackdown", "Potty Racers" or "Adventure of the Dude": sheer entertainment and mindless fun coupled with a bit of humor. Their ability to provide free games comes from their advertisers, some of whom have developed games based on their products such as "Skittles Street Soccer Cup" or "The Last Airbender Elemental Battles".
Boredom Relieving Activities NOT Involving a Computer
There are a great many things that can be done to when boredom kicks in that don't involve a computer.
- Get out and get some exercise: Simply getting up and taking a walk can help to alleviate boredom.
- Plan a room or house renovation, or draw out ideas for a new landscape design. Even if it doesn't get done, planning it is fun, creative and can get the mental juices flowing.
- Sit under a tree and just enjoy the air outside. Watch the animals and insects that pass by.
- Inflate a beach ball and see how many times it can be knocked up without falling on the ground.
- Play handball with a small ball, hitting it against any bare wall using your hands.
- Play solitaire such as Pyramid Solitaire.
- Find a few kids and play some games that are made from recycled materials.
- Start a garden: Plant those seeds that are in the junk drawer.
- Draw on the sidewalk with chalk.
There are a wealth things that can be done when a person is bored. Mostly, the thing that the mind needs the most when it is bored, is a little stimulation and anything that stimulates the brain can be a great way to break up the boredom and jostle a mind out its funk.
Robin Lewis - A Graphic Designer by day, artist, writer, gardener and researcher by night, Robin "Bodecoa" is eclectic, artistic and on an endless ...
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