If you have been keeping a keen eye on the news, you would probably have noticed that the headlines accumulating in newspapers and T.V. are mostly about the deadly disease that has swept over the globe- Covid-19. The whole nation is now panic-stricken and have been forced to go into extreme measures by closing schools and most offices down.
So, right now, you’re probably sitting huddled up in your room and reading this because you’re either extremely bored or you just love reading news articles. For most of us, the first one is more likely. It’s funny to me how we humans always complain about having too much work or school to deal with, but when we’re forced to stay at home away from all the places we most likely despise, we complain about doing nothing and getting bored; and I don’t blame anyone for that. A classmate, Riya Kamath, thinks that quarantine “gets us out of the schedule that we’re used to” somehow, making life more difficult. We’ve always been so occupied with work, school or just keeping ourselves busy, that we break down when we have absolutely nothing to do. But don’t fear! Read on for ways on saving yourself from the brink of insanity and boredom.
If you are a person who’s still in school, college or university, the smartest thing to do right now would be to revise and catch up with any learning you may have missed. This may not be the most ideal way to spend these countless days in quarantine, but it definitely will save you from the struggle when you find out that you’ve forgotten to do even the most simplest thing from your curriculum; and it will keep you busy so there’s no room for boredom in your life.
If you have gotten through the stressful period of school and tests, or you don’t want to spend all your time reciting revision flashcards, the next most ideal thing for you to do would be to dive back into that book you’ve never got a chance to finish! Not only does reading rescue you from boredom, but it’s also proven to be great for reducing stress, improving your memory and focus and expanding your vocabulary. So, go pick up that book and start reading the days away.
Some people may not be into reading, so investing all your time in a book you have no interest in would be nothing but a reinforcement of your boredom. If you’re one of these people, you may want to consider getting into new hobbies that you normally wouldn’t have tried out before, such as painting, playing music or even working out lightly at home (which would be the most preferable since we don’t get many opportunities to get out and about these days). Engaging in new hobbies and activities aren’t only just a useful way to get rid of stress and frustration, but are a great way to discover any talents you didn’t know you had before.
Lastly, one of the most important ways to help deliver yourself from going insane would be to avoid socially isolating yourself. This doesn’t mean that you should go out with a large group of friends and family, but it means that you shouldn’t completely cut yourself off from the rest of the world. Not getting to see your friends and family physically doesn’t mean that you can’t keep contact with them through a simple phone call or text. With today’s rapidly advancing technology, it would be incredibly easy to contact someone that lives thousands of miles away from you.
Instead of spending these long days sprawled out on your couch staring into nothing, why not try some of these simple ways to make time go by easily?
By Jayashree Parimita, Gumley House
