Q&A for How to Avoid Being Bored When You Have Nothing to Do

Look into starting a new hobby or rekindling an old one! Hobbies are a great way to fill up big chunks of time.

Boredom is ultimately a decision that you make. Thankfully, it's really easy to make a different choice, like going for a walk, reading a book, or hanging out with friends.

We all go through this. Remind yourself that these problems are temporary. For your depression, try exercising and expressing yourself creatively through music, art, or writing. Eat a healthy, mood-boosting diet, don’t skip meals, minimize sugar and refined carbs, boost your B vitamins. Listen to relaxing music.

Do something quietly to make sure you don't wake anyone up. Watch TV at super-low volume, read, write, draw -- something quiet that will keep you entertained.

In class (back row): Lay a book on your desk (open) and put a paper in front of you. Pretend you are doing a simple task on the paper, when you are actually reading (cover your face with your hand). In class (front row): Imagine your class is being attacked by ninjas or something. Just come up with weird fantasies (do it while looking at the board or something). Out of class: Talk to friends, wander the campus if you're older or decorate your locker.

It really depends on which arm. If you can use your dominant hand, you can sketch or color. If not, you could try reading or going on a walk.

If you are with other people try playing games like I Spy or pick a color of a car and count it every time it goes past while other people count different colored cars. Have a competition who counts the most cars of their color. If it's just you, think of crazy scenarios like if you were attacked by ninjas and imagine how they might turn out.

Find ways of to entertain yourself at home. Use the suggestions in the article. Draw, sketch, write, read, watch TV, go on YouTube. The possibilities are endless.

Explore this new place. Take pictures. Meet new friends or take a leisurely walk or picnic. There's so much to do.

Read other comments for ideas or visit other websites.

Find some things to do that don't require electricity. Some things in this article are good ideas. Use your imagination. If you have friends over, this is the perfect time to tell scary stories. You don't need electricity to be entertained.

Consider trying something new, or something that you have always wanted to do. Maybe you want to learn how to play an instrument or learn a second language for fun. Try picking an activity or hobby that you can continuously improve upon during your free time.

Watch a new TV show or an old one that you have not seen in a long time. Text your friends and if they respond, go out to a movie or to dinner or any activity with them. Lastly, go extreme couponing (if you don't know what that is look it up online).

Ask them if they'd like a lift or can make their own way home. Don't make a big deal of it.

I would learn something new or look on Youtube. You could maybe do something productive but fun, like cooking or baking.

You need to learn to entertain yourself. Work on homework, read ahead in a textbook or keep a book on hand. Write in a daily planner/diary.

Find some fun exercises to do, like yoga or a more intense workout. If you have a basement or large open space, you can roller skate.

Long stretches of time like summer or winter vacations can definitely be rough when you know you have nothing planned. Instead of letting the boredom weigh you down and sadden you, try viewing your boredom as a choice. Once you realize that the boredom is a choice that you can change, it might lift your spirits. Then pick up a new hobby or skill, one that you can take outside on a sunny day, or one that you can practice in your room when you are by yourself. Hobbies like writing, painting, sketching, or learning to play the guitar or a second language are all great, portable hobbies. If there are other people around you who are experiencing boredom, convince them to go outside with you and pick up a fun activity like ultimate frisbee, jump roping, hiking, or biking. Being outside for even an hour each day can help conquer the feeling of being bored and change your outlook on things.

Read, watch YouTube, or call someone and have a conversation with them.

An easy way to pass the time without the Internet is to read a book. This will not only pass the time quickly, but it will also keep you distracted from being alone in the apartment. Alternatively, try passing the time by getting out of the apartment and exploring your community. Maybe you can even meet up with family or friends to enjoy a stroll around town.

You can try making homework fun, like if you're doing a multiplication problem, you can imagine that a person has some boxes of apples. Be creative!

Play with something in your room while you are waiting, talk to your family or simply take a few minutes to daydream about where you might be going?

You can take a flashlight that only uses batteries and prop that up against something sturdy. Then, take a good, long book and start reading.

Choose an activity the other person will like to do outside depending on his interests.

If you're bored, then first finish your homework then you can do anything you want.

See if there's anything you can watch, take a leisurely bubble bath to relax or just take a nap.

Read the suggestions in this article, that'll use up a few minutes. You could try a hobby or volunteer -- try to volunteer at a hospital or animal shelter. Doing something useful is a good cure for boredom. Also remember that there is nothing wrong with boredom, it's a stealth motivator to force you to find something better to do or think about.

Use the situation. Ask yourself: What it the relative doing that is making me bored? Do I do it, subconsciously? Why do I do it? Is there something here that I can use, like that pattern over there to make a scenario? Just use other's 'failures' to attribute to your own success by learning from them.

Pay attention to the other performers. Are they loved by the audience? Are they not even being paid attention to? When you answer these simple yes/no questions, answer the why. Why does everyone love them? Why are they being ignored? Use this to come up with constructive criticism for your own performance. In the end, just appreciate the performances going on.

Play capture the flag with your friends.