Boredom is that frustrated sense of having nothing
interesting to do. It is the companion to loneliness and
depression for when we are bored we are disconnected from a
positive connection with our self. We no longer have a
felt sense of our self as a productive, engaged, energized
individual interested in our activities. When boredom
continues unabated we can suffer classic symptoms of
depression that include frustration, low energy, decreased
motivation, emptiness, negative self-image, and long hours
sleeping.
Here are seven steps to get your energy revved up and to
recapture a lively sense of yourself.
1. Go Dancing--you do not have to know how. Depression
feeds on a lack of movement. It has less chance to take
hold when we dance. All it takes is a curiosity and a
willingness to try something different. Dance activities
abound. Click on your local internet and check out the
many choices, most of which offer free lessons and partners
with whom to practice who are also there to learn and are
grateful for a partner who has the same adventurous spirit.
2. Join A Singles' Social Club--depression and boredom are
isolating experiences. Social interaction is an effective
antidote Go on the internet and bring up your city.
Search for singles events and a whole host of choices will
come up from opportunities to meet and greet singles over
dinner, bicycling, backpacking, white water rafting, and
parachute gliding, to name a few.
3. Start Your Own Club--if you cannot find any social
clubs that interest you create your own. All it takes is
an idea. Advertise in the "free activities" column of your
local newspaper and hear your phone or email jump with
interested folks.
4. Take A Course—Engage your mind and boredom
releases. Local community colleges offer a large variety
of courses for those interested in a particular subject
rather than studying for a degree. Other venues offering
free or low cost courses include neighborhood recreational
councils, business retirement clubs, art supply stores, and
workshops by experts who advertise in local newsletters.
5. Become A Docent-- gaining and imparting knowledge to
others powerfully dispels boredom and will increase your
sense of competence, further fortifying you against
tendrils of depression. Museums often look for volunteers
to take training in order to lead groups on informative
tours of exhibits. You can learn about art history, meet
like-minded folks, and have opportunities to develop
friends.
6. Volunteer Your Service—giving back to your
community gives the reward of feeling kind and generous and
doing meaningful work. These feelings impede the buildup
of depression. Many organizations would be deeply grateful
for your help. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen, your
local historic society or railroad museum, or as a baby
minder in your local children's hospital. Also, look
around in your town for tourist venues. Choose one that
interests you and then call to offer your services.
In any of these ways you can learn and grow doing what you
enjoy. And who knows, those of you single might find your
soul mate in the process. You certainly will have many
opportunities to make new friends with similar interests
and who will have more ideas for interesting and fun things
to do. And at the very least you are up and moving and
exercising your mind, body, and spirit. And when that
happens folks, you have no room for boredom and depression.
Of course, if you are struggling daily just to get out of
bed or regularly have a marked diminished interest in
things you might be suffering from a more severe form of
depression. In that case an experienced therapist who
specializes in depression psychotherapy can help.
Depression is treatable and you do not have to suffer from
it.
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Ms Desert is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in
Baltimore, MD with a holistic private practice and
specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety,
trauma, and associated addictions. For more information
please visit her web site at
http://www.singular-pathways.com
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