Boredom: Sometimes It's a Good Thing

Do you ever find yourself bored and you don't know what to do about it? I mean, there are so many things to do: responsibilities as an adult, household chores, kids, but none of that feels satisfying enough at the time? I've found that boredom can lead to unhealthy choices. I believe that. I also believe, sometimes you just have to sit there and be bored and choose that unhealthy choice.

I'm all for exercise, leading a productive and healthy lifestyle, but I'm also one who believes you just have to kick back on a Sunday afternoon to watch the Dodgers and maybe nap to the soothing voice of Vin Skully calling the game. Another Sunday afternoon thing to do is to watch as many football games with chips, dip and a couple of cold beers. It works when nobody bothers you and you can just stare at the television all day long.

Yeah, I'm completely selling this idea now. Once, every couple of months, during the heat of summer especially, schedule some 'boring time'. Let your wife know. Send the kids to your sister's house. Open up the door so a breeze comes in, open the windows so the sun shines through, grab a couple of beers, some chips and dip and watch baseball or a couple of football double headers.

Enjoy it without feeling guilty. That's the key. Normally these days will take place and you feel guilty because you should be doing something 'responsible'. Like cleaning the house, taking your kids out to the park, or following your wife around the mall. But just once in a while it's good to cleanse yourself of so-called 'responsible - adult things'. Be a vegetable - a couch potato. I mean, you have to go to work the next day anyway and things just get piled up and you are the responsible adult.

My goal here is to teach you that breaking the routine is good for your health. Drinking beer and deep fried chips might not be the best, but once in a while indulge, get lost in the whole event, and enjoy it guilt free.

Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow is the day you get back to the grind. Tomorrow you won't be bored because you'll be forced to do what you have to do.

I usually have this 'to myself sports day' on Super Bowl Sunday. Usually I can squeeze in one or two hours watching baseball, football or golf but it's go-go-go in between or after a game. Our lives are so rushed and hectic every day I believe there needs to be those days where it slows down. Where, despite the ton of work to do 'tomorrow', you can relax and let it all go.

Okay, this does not mean giving up all 'adult responsibility'. Getting drunk, passing out on the couch, and not letting the day sink in is not what this is all about. Count the minutes of the day and make them count! Make sure you enjoy by remembering it - recalling that awesome play at the plate, that touchdown pass, or that eagle from Tiger to win the game!

Then, when it's all said and done, clean up your sloppy mess, get the running shoes back on and work away that fat you just put on!

Being bored could actually be a productive part of your sanity. Do anything above and I'm sure you'll be a better person at the end of the day. Or do what I'm doing now. I'm bored. So I wrote about it.