Looking after a friend or family member can feel nonstop, but often revolves around daily or weekly routines. Repetitive tasks such as sticking yet another load in the washing machine, setting up the week's medication, making more cups of tea, while essential offer little variety and mental stimulation. Does anyone else sometimes feel like their brain is turning to mush?
As well as being busy, we need to stay available for the person we care for that can also limit our freedom to do the things we might have enjoyed before. Hobbies, seeing friends, exercising, gardening, reading, or getting creative can all drop off the to-do list.
This lack of time for our interests, combined with the routine nature of our caring roles, can create a feeling of stagnation. So that even when we do have time to ourselves, we can be so physically and emotionally exhausted - we don’t do much with it. Flopping on the couch at the end of the day watching TV and scrolling on our phones can be all we feel up to. But it’s not exactly topping up our joy-for-life fuel tank.
So while we think of looking after someone going hand in hand with being constantly busy, it’s no surprise that feeling bored can go hand in hand with it. When we asked carers in our community if they experience boredom regularly, over 75% said yes.
So what can we do about it?
Carers from our community shared top tips on the ways they combat feelings of boredom. Sometimes just seeing what others in a similar situation are getting up to can give us a gentle nudge to do more with the spare time we do have.
1. Connect with others
Connecting with others is a great way to combat boredom and reduce some of the feelings of loneliness and isolation that can build up. If we can’t leave the person we care for, even a quick phone call or video chat can make a huge difference. There’s nothing quite like seeing our friends' smiles or families’ children waving back at us to give a little boost. These small moments of connection can lift our moods, and leave us feeling more motivated as we carry on with our day.
As well as time with friends and family, carers shared they were turning to work, joining local clubs, volunteering, or attending a place of worship when they could. Whether we go alone, or are able to take the person we look after, spending time with others can give us both the warm fuzzy feeling of connection and a wider sense of purpose.
2. Get outside
Getting outside can be a powerful tool when battling feelings of boredom. As well as being great for our physical and mental health, time out in nature can offer a positive change of scene and a break from our routine.
“I try to spend time in nature where possible.”
Nature is such a simple way to find a mental and emotional recharge, without needing to be a grand outing. Simply strolling through our local park, ambling through the countryside, or just walking down to the shops can help to shake off the mental cobwebs.
In fact, going for a walk was the most shared suggestion that carers in our community are turning to when feeling bored. Whether it's a solo stroll, dog walk, or just a short loop around the block, the fresh air can do wonders for our bodies and minds. We could even meet up with or call a friend while we walk to get some social interaction too!
"When there’s a time that is safe to leave my husband I always try to go for a walk and just focus on the countryside.”
For anyone who is less mobile, we could try going for a drive. Just getting out of the house for a short time can really help when we’re feeling restless.
“We go for a drive, find a garden centre and drop in for a coffee.”
We can find more suggestions of things to do in the great outdoors in Nurtured By Nature.
3. Spend time in the garden
Spending time in the garden is another wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors, especially for those of us who are more homebound. Tending to plants, growing vegetables, or simply sitting outside and watching the birds can provide a pocket of calm. Giving us a boost of fresh air, and a brief moment of micro-respite.
For those who don’t have access to a garden, we could see if there is a local allotment patch. Or try our hand at some indoor gardening. Herbs growing on the kitchen windowsill, or a smattering of pot plants around the house can help to bring the joyous outside, in.
4. Do a hobby
For times when we can’t leave the house, hobbies are a fantastic way to combat boredom and bring a sense of creativity and fulfilment into our daily routine. And from the response of carers in our community, it looks like we are a creative bunch!
Many shared they turn to arts and crafts as a way to spend any downtime.
This included activities such as baking, writing, drawing, painting, colouring, or completing a paint by numbers. Engaging that part of our brains can really help to shift some of the brain fog after a day of monotonous tasks.
There were also lots of suggestions around making things, with ideas including upcycling old furniture, crochet, knitting, sewing, or needle felting.
“I enjoy creating something new from something old.”
As well as being easy to do from home, getting crafty can be great in terms of flexibility - being easy to pause if we’re needed.
"I turn to different wool crafts that can be put down easily when my cared for needs me."
Carers in our community are also enjoying researching their family tree during downtime through sites such as ancestry. Or looking into the history of the area we live in. We could also consider starting a collection of something - the classic coin collection comes to mind here. And researching the items in our collection.
We can find more ideas on things to do from the comfort of our homes in Free and low-cost ways for carers to feel cosy this season.
5. Read a book
Reading a good book is another popular way we can unwind and escape into another world for a while. Reading is a great way to give our minds a break without disengaging them. With the added bonus that it can be enjoyed in short bursts or longer stretches of relaxation.
"Borrow Box (a library in one app) provides books and audiobooks to my phone from the library.”
If we are looking for a new book to dive into we can find inspiration from 11 books every carer should read. Or for something lighter, here are some books other carers have recommended.
6. Play a game
Whether we are sat waiting at the GP, on hold to one of the many services we need to deal with in our caring role, or just grabbing ten minutes to ourselves on a rainy day, carers shared that playing games on phones or personal devices offered an effective form of mini break.
These games can offer quick bursts of entertainment and mental stimulation, and they’re easily accessible during briefer moments of downtime.
Games mentioned included bridge, word games, solitaire, mahjong, and various puzzle games which we can download to our mobile for free. These types of games not only provide relaxation, but can also help keep our minds active and engaged.
Enjoyment can also be found from physical games, such as jigsaw puzzles, board games, or a word search. And comes with the little dopamine hit we get once finished - especially if we win.
These are also great ways to keep the person we care for entertained.
7. Watching TV or a movie
Watching TV or movies is another favourite for keeping occupied indoors. Whether it’s binge-watching our favourite series, catching up on the latest dramas, or enjoying a classic movie, mindfully watching TV can provide both entertainment and a much-needed mental break.
Watching a comforting show, or lighthearted comedy is a great way to relieve stress after a demanding day. Whether it's during the evening or in short intervals throughout the day, TV and films can be a simple, accessible way to break up our routine. But we might want to be conscious about what we choose to watch. If we’re not actually enjoying it, we may end up more bored than when we started.
If we are looking for our next binge-worth show we can find inspiration from what other carers are watching.
8. Listen to music or a podcast
Listening to music or a podcast is another effective way to combat boredom - with the added bonus of being able to listen along while doing other jobs around the house.
Whether we turn to a favourite playlist, calming classical, or sing-along-worthy uplifting songs, music has real power to shift our mood. It can nudge us towards a place of relaxation when we want to unwind, or boost our energy to carry on with the day.
Our community helped us to create playlists for carers for quick mood boosters, or to enjoy while waiting around - such as at a GP surgery.
Podcasts are another great option to pop on while we crack on with other tasks. A show on a hobby, hearing others’ stories, or an educational series - podcasts are an easy and accessible way to learn something new or just pass the time. They can be enjoyed at any time of day or night, making them a flexible option for those of us with unpredictable schedules.
“When I’ve not been able to get out for a while I stick on a podcast with friends talking to each other. I instantly feel less alone.”
9. Go on a virtual tour
Going on virtual tours is a creative way to combat boredom and explore the world from the comfort of home for free. Virtual tours offer the chance to visit museums, art galleries, other countries, and historical sites without having to leave our living room.
“I've been all over the world to places I'd never be able to go to. I can never be bored if I've got tour guides showing me around Peru, Australia, Canada, France.”
These virtual experiences offer an opportunity to learn, relax, and be somewhere else for a while - even if only virtually. And why not invite a friend or family member to join you on a virtual tour?
Find a virtual tour:
10. Exercise or take part in a sport
Taking part in fitness and or sports is a fantastic way to wake up our minds, stay active, and relieve stress. Whether it’s joining a sports club, going for a run, swimming, yoga, cycling, playing football, or something else - physical exercise is a positive way to relieve boredom.
Staying active helps to boost our energy levels, keep our bodies healthy, improve our mood, and provides a break from monotonous daily tasks. Even doing a few jumping jacks in our living room can help us feel less listless and more energised.
We could consider outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, or running to enjoy some fresh air, or more structured activities like joining a club or class which have the added benefits of being with others. We might even make a new friend.
11. Practise some self-care
We can spend so much energy focusing on others that it becomes easy to neglect our own needs. As one carer shared, “scheduling me-time” is crucial. While it can feel a bit cringe worthy for some, self-care and mindfulness are essential for our well-being and avoiding burnout.
It may not come naturally, but prioritising ourselves is crucial. Can we really think about what will really refill our cup in the moments we get to ourselves. Is it a meditation, bubble bath, journaling, slowing down and enjoying a cup of tea, or treating ourselves to a favourite meal?
So next time we find ourselves feeling bored, why not use the opportunity to practise some mindfulness or meditation. Even taking a few minutes for a simple relaxation technique can have a positive impact on our stress levels and ability to focus.
"I take time, if only a few minutes, to practise my relaxation technique."
Practising mindfulness and meditation are great ways to focus on self-care. These techniques can improve mental clarity and stress, helping us to stay grounded throughout the day.
12. Get productive
Some of us prefer to channel boredom into productivity. Even small windows of time can be used to manage household tasks, prepare meals, or stay on top of carer admin.
Keeping busy by being productive not only helps pass the time but can give us a sense of accomplishment and control over our sometimes overwhelming daily responsibilities. Breaking tasks into manageable chunks throughout the day can stop them from building up.
"I set myself goals, like I'm going to clean downstairs today."
Another way to channel boredom into productivity is to have a clear out. We could pick just one cupboard, declutter a room, or sort through our clothes. As well as making our home more manageable, decluttering can leave us feeling more motivated and energised. We might even be able to make a little money if we list the things we no longer want for sale.
What’s next?
Boredom is a common yet often overlooked challenge for those of us looking after someone. It’s no surprise that the repetitive nature of caring tasks, with limited opportunities for personal time or connecting with other people, can leave us feeling a bit unfilled.
However there are countless ways to try and inject some variety, creativity, and moments of micro respite into our days. What one thing will you try next time you find yourself feeling bored?
If you have a tip we’ve missed, or are looking for more inspiration on ways to feel less bored, why not head over to the Mobilise Hub to connect with others who just get it? Whether you've found a great new hobby, a simple daily practice that helps, or even small tricks to break the monotony, your suggestion could be just what someone else needs.
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