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Getting things done when you’ve got nothing else to do
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Sure, you’re bored and have a little free time on your hands, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be productive. When life gives you downtime, you squeeze all you can out of it and make sweet, sweet, lemonade. Or get some chores done—whichever gets you up off the couch. We've got tons of ideas to get out there and make the most of your boredom.

Things You Should Know

  • Get some exercise by taking a walk, hitting the gym, or practicing yoga at home.
  • Read a book or a newspaper, or listen to a podcast to brighten your mind in your free time.
  • Flex your creative muscles by sketching, practicing an instrument, or visiting a museum.
  • Get ahead of the curve and finish extra home or workplace tasks, like catching up on emails or doing laundry.
2

Catch up on your emails.

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  1. Clear out your inbox. If you’re anything like us, you’ve got a whole backlog of unopened emails. Are they urgent? Are they spam? Who knows! The best time to find out was yesterday. The next best time is now. [2]
    • Also be sure to unsubscribe to those promotional emails you forgot you signed up for.
3

Practice mindfulness.

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  1. Do a few mindfulness meditations to focus on the world around you. In some studies, people who did regular mindfulness exercises reported reduced stress and greater productivity. [3] Take 5 minutes to observe the things around you using your 5 senses. Take note of how things feel, sound, and even taste. [4]
    • Do a body scan meditation by focusing your attention on each individual part of your body, starting with your toes and working your way up to the crown of your head.
    • Find a piece of paper and jot down your emotions: how do you feel right now? How did you feel a little while ago? How do you want to feel in the future?
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4

Make a to-do list.

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  1. Plan out the rest of your day or week. Take 10 minutes to make a to-do list of the things you need or want to accomplish this week. Then, organize them according to their importance. Once it’s all on paper, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to get done, and more motivation to do it.
    • In addition, make a schedule of when you plan to do each item on the list, which will help you stay on-track.
Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Should I Do?

Not sure how to cure a case of boredom? Being bored can drain your energy and bring down your mood, which is why we’re here to help you out—and hopefully make your day a little more interesting. We’ve prepared a handy quiz to help you narrow down that list of activities and find a fun pastime that you’ll truly enjoy!
1 of 14

Who do you spend the most time with?

6

Change your job description.

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  1. Talk to your boss about adjusting your responsibilities. If you’re bored at work, it could be because you don’t have enough to do. On the other hand, you might have too much to do, which results in procrastination. In either case, have a casual chat with your boss about your schedule and responsibilities, and work together to balance your workload. [6]
    • Don’t be afraid to express your concern to your supervisor. It’s likely that they’ll be impressed by your concern and communication.
8

Start a journal.

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  1. Write down your thoughts and daily activities. Get an old notebook and start journaling . If you’re feeling creative, scratch out a few lines of poetry. Otherwise, just record your stream of consciousness. [8] It may seem silly at first, but coming back to a journal some years down the line is a great way to keep in touch with your past self.
10

Take a digital tour of the world.

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  1. Browse Google Earth to experience new places from your home. You don’t need a passport to do some sightseeing. Clicking around the street view camera on Google Earth is a fabulous way to see some sights and do some casual people-watching from the comfort of your desk. [10]
    • Play a few rounds of GeoGuessr to gamify your geographic knowledge and learn some landmarks in the process.
    • If you see something you like, start planning a trip to visit that place in person.
12

Organize your desk.

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  1. Tidy up your workspace. If you’ve got a few minutes, now’s the perfect time to trash those old coffee cups and wipe down a dusty keyboard. Also, remember to get your knick-knacks in a row and water any desktop plants. [12]
    • Alternatively, print some photos of your friends and family, or some nice illustrations to hang around your space.
14

Pickle vegetables.

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  1. Make some low-effort preserves. Got some garlic about to go bad? Or some onions that are taking up fridge real estate? Pickle ‘em! All you need is a jar, some veggies, and some vinegar and you’ll be on your way to delicious sandwich toppings or salad sides. [14]
    • Alternatively, ferment some fruit to add to cocktails or desserts.
    • For a slightly more involves fermentation project, brew some kombucha to have a healthy pick-me-up during your busier days.
16

Volunteer at a charity.

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  1. Do some good with your free time by helping others. Charities and volunteer organizations like food banks or community thrift shops are the perfect way to give back in your downtime. Reach out to a local coordinator and ask if they need any extra hands. Also, send them your schedule and availability.
    • Also look into volunteering at your local museum or library to do some good while learning something new in the process.
    • Alternatively, learn to knit and make some hats to donate to homeless people.
17

Update your resume.

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  1. If you’ve been at your job for a while, your resume is probably a little dusty. Yes, you’ve got job security in spades, but it never hurts to be upward-thinking. Take a few minutes to plug in any new skills or accomplishments. Or start from scratch and make a new resume . [16]
    • Also take a moment to do a little research on your position and average salary. You may be falling behind your pay grade. Time to chat with your boss—or find a new gig.
    • Even if you don’t have much new experience, go ahead and update the wording or design.
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18

Let yourself daydream.

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  1. Allow your mind to wander to blow off some steam. There’s a reason humans are prone to daydreaming. It’s an important mental function that gives our mind a break while also revealing our wants and needs. Set a timer for 10 minutes, sit back, and let that noggin roam.
    • Afterward, write down any pertinent thoughts you remember, like things you want to accomplish or anxieties. A mental inventory like this is a good way to organize your thoughts.
20

Join a special interest group.

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  1. Get involved with a local hobby group or club. Ever wanted to get into birdwatching? Or maybe you miss the nostalgic pull of a kite string in your hands. Hit up your town or city’s events calendar and browse upcoming club meetings. If you see one that catches your eye, get in touch with a coordinator for more info. [17]
21

Visit a museum.

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  1. Many museums have dedicated days for free entry. Or, a season pass lets you experience a range of exhibits at a discounted price. And let’s not forget that all that walking and stair-stepping around exhibits helps keep you in shape, too! [18]
    • If you’re an artistic type, bring a sketchbook to draw what you see. Or, simply tote a journal to jot down your thoughts.
    • Take full advantage of museum workers and curators—they’re there to answer questions and educate!
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22

Read a book or a magazine.

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  1. Pick up a novel or a lifestyle magazine. It’s a sad fact that many adults don’t get enough reading time in their busy lives. Hit your bookshelf or a library and crack the spine of anything that looks interesting. [19] It doesn’t have to be high-brow; even reading something purely for fun stimulates your brain.
    • Challenge yourself to read faster in order to foster a simple but useful skill.
24

Clean out your closet.

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  1. Sort through your clothes and find old items to donate. As the season changes, so does the fashion. And chances are your closet needs tidying and clothes need folding, anyway. [21] Give it the old Marie Kondo and decide which clothes give you joy, and which clothes will give someone at Goodwill some joy.
    • While you’re at it, plan out your outfits for the week, which will save you time in the morning.
    • Also make a note of what sorts of clothing you might need to buy. Spring soon? You’ll need shorts!
26

Make a playlist.

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  1. Put together a mixtape for the digital age. Planning a fun night out? Or maybe you’re just feeling a bit sick for spring after a long winter. Make a playlist for it! [23] There’s nothing like organizing a seamless stream of songs to put your mind at ease.
    • Also make a productivity playlist, with upbeat and blood-pumping songs to blast the next time your get to work.
28

Pick up a simple skill.

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  1. Learn something you can master in just a few hours. There are plenty of things you can learn in a short amount of time that’ll make you handier and more capable. [25] For example, learn to fix a flat car tire , flip an omelet , or tie a tie. [26]
30

Meal prep or make a meal plan.

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  1. Plan and make your meals for the upcoming week. Save yourself some time later by cooking your meals now. Or, if you don’t have enough time to cook, simply plan meals on your calendar . Having an idea of what you intend to eat throughout your week streamlines your schedule and reduces dinnertime stress. [28]
32

Clean up your phone.

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  1. Delete any unused apps on your home screen. Cheap mobile games that waste your time. An ad-ridden calculator. And why do you even have that flight tracker for a defunct airline? Long press to make those icons dance, then into the trash they go. [30]
    • While you’re at it, clear the notifications of the apps you do use. All those little numbers in their little red bubbles can cause undue stress.
33

Play a brain game.

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  1. It’s true what they say about all work and no play. Games are a vital part of leisure time, and maintaining a balance of work and leisure is key to being successful in both. Find a brain-teasing game to play, like a book of crosswords. [31]
    • You might also play a word game on your phone—just be sure to set a timer for 10-20 minutes to remind you to put your phone down after a while.
    EXPERT TIP

    Our Family Plays Games

    Board Game Experts
    Our Family Plays Games, LLC is a family-owned business based in Omaha, Nebraska. Launched in 2018, their mission is to promote growth and awareness of the modern board game hobby and bring more BIPOCs and families into the board game community. In June 2020 they were featured on Good Morning America and have since been featured on NBC News Online, Senet Magazine (UK), Ligadas.com (Brazil), a variety of YouTube programs, podcasts, and on local television. In January of 2022, they launched a second program on their channel, called OFPG Voices to highlight other underrepresented voices in the hobby. In addition, they make special appearances at board game conventions all around the country and work with board game publishers from around the world.
    Our Family Plays Games
    Board Game Experts

    Board games stimulate your brain. Engaging in strategic thinking and problem-solving while playing board games can trigger cognitive functions like memory and planning. Over time, these mental workouts can even enhance your cognitive agility. In sum, board games offer a fun and engaging way to keep your mind sharp!

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34

Write a letter.

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  1. Send mail to a friend or make a new pen pal. Sure, it’s a communication method of yesteryear, but that makes it all the more charming. Break out some fancy stationery and a smooth fountain pen, or wing it on a bit of scratch paper. If you want to talk to someone new, get a penpal and connect with someone across the globe. [32]
    • Include some polaroids or film photos to double down on the retro feel.
36

Do your laundry.

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  1. Take care of that pile of dirty clothes. We hate to say it, but they’re not going to wash themselves. Believe us, we wish they would. Into the hamper with them! [34]
    • If you use a laundromat, take the opportunity to get other errands done while you’re out and about.
38

Practice an instrument.

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  1. Pick up that guitar you’ve always been meaning to play. It’s never too late to learn a new instrument . Try a service like Yousician to learn at home. [36]
    • If you’re at work or can’t make much noise, throw on some headphones and boot up some YouTube tutorials to learn the basics, even without the instrument in-hand.
    • Alternatively, learn to sight-read sheet music to give yourself a headstart in performing the hits.
40

Have a meal or a snack.

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  1. Replenish your body’s fuel with a quick bite. If you’re feeling lethargic, bored, or just generally like you want to bash your head against a wall, you might just be hungry. Grab an apple, nutrition bar, or another healthy option from the fridge or a vending machine. [38]
    • Alternatively, take a minute to cook something quick and easy. Cooking itself is a creative outlet that can revitalize your brain.
42

Tend some plants.

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  1. Prune and water some household plants. Take a look around your office or home for any plants in need of some TLC. Go ahead and prune them back , then give them some much-needed hydration. [40]
    • If you don’t have houseplants, now’s a perfect time to visit a nursery and start your collection.

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      Expert Interview

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