Most of the time, life is boring. Work is dull, chores around the house are draining, and regular social outings are nothing but blase. If this sounds familiar, then know that you’re not alone. Surveys indicate that somewhere between 30% and 90% of people report being bored at least once a day. And boredom can be bad for you; being bored often may even contribute to conditions like depression. So, to help you shake off the doldrums, here are six guilt-free ways to inject a little excitement into your life:
Meet Someone New
People are everywhere. They’re in the office lobby, in line at the grocery store, in the park, and in restaurants. Yet, most of the time we avoid interacting with strangers if we can avoid it. Buck this trend and introduce yourself to someone you see on a regular basis. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of getting to know a new person.
Put the Phone Down
You don’t have to live your life staring at your phone every five minutes. Unfortunately, many young people check their phones constantly. If you’re looking to spice up your life, then consider ditching your phone for a few hours or even an entire weekend. It’s okay to step into the unknown every once in a while, after all.
Shake Up the Routine
Rather than going to the same watering hole you frequent after work or on weekends, try a different bar or restaurant for a change. This is a small, but effective, way to mix things up.
Give Yourself a Challenge
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn a foreign language, lose ten pounds, or read a 1,000-page book, but, for one reason or another, you’ve never managed the feat. Thankfully, setting yourself a challenge is a tremendous way to reach a goal and eliminate boredom in one fell swoop.
Live it Up
So much of life is dedicated to saving money for rainy days. Well –– every once in a while –– you should be able to spend that money on yourself for a tremendous night out. The good news here is that you actually don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a fabulous evening on the town. The average party bus cost, for instance, is quite reasonable and easy to fit within a budget.
Say Yes to Opportunity
Want to make sure that you live life to the fullest? Then you’ve got to say “yes” more often. It can be so tempting to turn down exciting offers because of a lack of time, energy, or confidence, but you’ll regret doing so in the long run. Instead of saying no and missing out, say yes and have a blast!