National Anti-Boredom Month in July brings a slew of activities to take part in and kill boredom. July can become quite uneventful, especially after the Fourth has passed. There aren’t any major public holidays or celebrations taking place during this month. For many children, July means the summer break. Furthermore, the hot summer weather forces old and young to seek shelter at home or in malls. Yes, not much happens during July, but there’s no need to fret, dear reader. We not only bring to you fun activities you can do to beat the boredom blues, but we also talk to you about the history attached to boredom. Did you know that boredom is also a phobia for many? It’s called thaasophobia, and it is the fear of having nothing to do and feeling bored.
History of National Anti-Boredom Month
The National Anti-Boredom Month was created in the 1980s by Alan Caruba. He wanted people to stop ‘moping’ around because of boredom and, instead, focus on other things in life. Boredom, as a subject, is quite interesting, which in and of itself is somewhat paradoxical because ‘boredom’ is the word used for not knowing what to do and feeling like the day is tedious. Over the centuries, scholars from the fields of science, literary prose, and philosophy have tried to understand boredom. The Greeks did not name the concept because it was such an ever-present thing that they deemed it as ‘natural’ as breathing. Romans, on the other hand, described the feeling as being of a lazy mind despite having several things to do. Religious figures deemed ‘boredom’ as sinful since the mind should always be occupied with serving the Lord.
Boredom also became a weapon used to punish people. Prisoners were forced to spend days and nights without anything to do. This practice led to many being driven insane because of the endless hours of silence and nothingness. Boredom can be life-threatening, too. Research studies show that people who get bored easily are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, aggression, and other psychological issues. Easily bored people are also more likely to develop and/or die of heart diseases. At the same time, researchers state that it is okay to feel bored as it is a normal part of the human experience. The only catch is that boredom should not happen frequently. To escape boredom, you can try your hand at different things like painting, reading, learning new skills, or simply going out for a walk for a change in scenery.
National Anti-Boredom Month timeline
A Roman official, through public inscription, talks about saving a Roman town from boredom.
Boredom is used for the first time in a Charles Dickens book, “Bleak House.”
James Ward, the founder of “Wired,” holds the world’s first Boring Conference where people come to talk about the most random of things.
John Eastwood, a researcher dedicated to studying boredom, describes the concept as rooting from one’s attention not settling on anything at all.
National Anti-Boredom Month FAQs
When is National Anti-Boredom Month?
National Anti-Boredom Month takes place in July.
What causes boredom?
Boredom can be caused by repetition or tediousness. The predictability of something can cause mental tiredness and laziness.
How can I relieve boredom?
You can get rid of boredom by doing activities that are not repetitive for you. You can watch a movie, or paint, sew, garden, or go for a walk.
How To Celebrate National Anti-Boredom Month
Take up a new hobby
Change your routine by doing something that you haven’t done before. This activity could be anything from cooking, baking, reading, learning a new language, painting, or even eating new things. Not only will your boredom be cured, but you will also discover new interests.
Volunteer your time
Give your time to a cause that is close to your heart. List down things that are important to you on a personal level, and see if there are related organizations that require volunteering services. This will help you to meet new people, too.
Go for a walk
Many times, the reason for our boredom is the lack of change in our environment. Go for a walk. You can choose to go down a familiar route or explore new corners of your city.
5 Facts About Boredom That Will Blow Your Mind
Brain damage linked to boredom
Studies have shown that people who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries are more likely to suffer from boredom than people who haven’t had traumatic brain injuries.
Boredom is mentally draining
People have reported feeling agitated and mentally tired during and after bouts of boredom.
Hardship can induce boredom
Boredom can also be caused by difficult tasks as they can be considered tedious, repetitive, and hard to complete.
Good for mental health
Due to an overload of stressful stimulants, it is good to feel bored now and then to give your brain some space to feel relaxed.
Boredom breeds creativity
Boredom allows for our minds to wander to new places, and studies have shown that this wandering leads to creative patterns and activities.
Why We Love National Anti-Boredom Month
It’s a celebration of a mental break
Our lives can be extremely hectic, especially with all the information dumps and stimulants due to our increased technological usage. All of us need a break every now and then, and Anti-Boredom Month allows us to do just that by making us think about boredom and its benefits. Yes, the month is shares ways to break free of boredom, but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate boredom as a concept.
It’s a celebration of new activities
Boredom calls for you to have new experiences. These new activities can lead you to become skilled in things you may have never imagined to be an expert in. You can also learn about new concepts altogether, and this could be a great conversation starter.
It’s a celebration of new horizons
Boredom can lead you to novel spaces and ideas. Awaken your curious side to sufficiently and efficiently pass your time. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.
National Anti-Boredom Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | July 1 | Monday |
| 2025 | July 1 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | July 1 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | July 1 | Thursday |
| 2028 | July 1 | Saturday |
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