Boredom is that frustrated sense of having nothing interesting to do. It is the companion to loneliness and depression for when we are bored we are disconnected from a positive connection with our self. We no longer have a felt sense of our self as a productive, engaged, energized individual interested in our activities. When boredom continues unabated we can suffer classic symptoms of depression that include frustration, low energy, decreased motivation, emptiness, negative self-image, and long hours sleeping.



Here are seven steps to get your energy revved up and to recapture a lively sense of yourself.

1. Go Dancing--you do not have to know how. Depression feeds on a lack of movement. It has less chance to take hold when we dance. All it takes is a curiosity and a willingness to try something different. Dance activities abound. Click on your local internet and check out the many choices, most of which offer free lessons and partners with whom to practice who are also there to learn and are grateful for a partner who has the same adventurous spirit.

2. Join A Singles' Social Club--depression and boredom are isolating experiences. Social interaction is an effective antidote Go on the internet and bring up your city. Search for singles events and a whole host of choices will come up from opportunities to meet and greet singles over dinner, bicycling, backpacking, white water rafting, and parachute gliding, to name a few.

3. Start Your Own Club--if you cannot find any social clubs that interest you create your own. All it takes is an idea. Advertise in the "free activities" column of your local newspaper and hear your phone or email jump with interested folks.

4. Take A CourseEngage your mind and boredom releases. Local community colleges offer a large variety of courses for those interested in a particular subject rather than studying for a degree. Other venues offering free or low cost courses include neighborhood recreational councils, business retirement clubs, art supply stores, and workshops by experts who advertise in local newsletters.

5. Become A Docent-- gaining and imparting knowledge to others powerfully dispels boredom and will increase your sense of competence, further fortifying you against tendrils of depression. Museums often look for volunteers to take training in order to lead groups on informative tours of exhibits. You can learn about art history, meet like-minded folks, and have opportunities to develop friends.

6. Volunteer Your Servicegiving back to your community gives the reward of feeling kind and generous and doing meaningful work. These feelings impede the buildup of depression. Many organizations would be deeply grateful for your help. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen, your local historic society or railroad museum, or as a baby minder in your local children's hospital. Also, look around in your town for tourist venues. Choose one that interests you and then call to offer your services.

In any of these ways you can learn and grow doing what you enjoy. And who knows, those of you single might find your soul mate in the process. You certainly will have many opportunities to make new friends with similar interests and who will have more ideas for interesting and fun things to do. And at the very least you are up and moving and exercising your mind, body, and spirit. And when that happens folks, you have no room for boredom and depression.

Of course, if you are struggling daily just to get out of bed or regularly have a marked diminished interest in things you might be suffering from a more severe form of depression. In that case an experienced therapist who specializes in depression psychotherapy can help. Depression is treatable and you do not have to suffer from it.