Healthy Ways to Beat Overthinking and Boredom

Nancy Bergeron, R.Psych.

In working with individuals dealing with anxiety and addiction a common theme emerges…too much free time to overthink, or challenges with boredom. When this happens, the hard work they have put into change can begin to unravel. The following is a list of ideas we have compiled to keep the brain and body occupied, and away from old thinking and behaviours:

1. Clean your car inside & out

2. Make a new playlist

3. Organise your office space

4. Listen to a podcast or find a new one

5. Update you resume

6. Go for a walk

7. Journal

8. Do some yoga

9. Read a book

10. Purge your phone

11. Create albums for digital photos and delete unwanted ones

12. Organize a drawer or closet

13. Bake or cook something new

14. Clean a room

15. Organize your photos

16. Workout

17. Make a to-do list

18. Sell items you don’t need online

19. Send a friend a card or letter

20. Build a puzzle

21. Go for a ride in the country

22. Find new recipes for dinner

23. Clean out your fridge and wash the inside

24. Go grocery shopping

25. Write 3 sort-term goals

26. Plan your week

27. Do your laundry

28. Get a new haircut or style

29. Sign up for a new hobby or skill

30. Look up volunteer opportunities

31. Call a friend or relative

32. Make a 5-year plan

33. De-clutter your closet and donate

34. Meet a friend for coffee

35. Look for a new hobby

36. Explore volunteer opportunities in your community

37. Meal prep or batch cook for the week

38. Write an e-book or article on a topic you love or specialize in

39. Take your dog for a walk or hike

40. Find a simple home improvement project you can plan for and then tackle

Of course, some of these suggestions don’t sound like much fun, or perhaps feel like work. However, we do know that falling back into unhealthy patterns of coping require even more work and effort to get back on track. What other things could you add to this list?