My top five distractions can fluctuate according to what I make myself do.

A brisk walk
Sitting in a chair staring out the window like a zombie
Laying in bed with my head covered
Watching TV
Reading a book

I honestly don't understand the word boredom. I have never felt it in my entire life. I usually see it more as Unmotivated. I definitely have a lot I can do to keep me busy, it is just a matter of having the emotional energy to push myself to do it. I have done a lot of therapy over the years so I have gotten pretty good at pushing myself away from negative thinking. Still do it, but not nearly as much.

HA! You've got it - my "boredom" is 100% lazy and not being able to escape it for some twisted reason. I'm like a kid - when my son tells me he's bored, I tell him, "Well, I've got plenty for you to do", lol. Why can't I just suck it up and DO SOMETHING. Let's just say I have a lot of time on my hands - after a very busy career, I don't work and my son is 16 and self-sufficient. I am blessed to get to do volunteer work, but not full time. Other than that, I roam around looking for ways to escape my "boredom" and I feel I must be productive at all times, so that cuts many options out. YES, I crave that emotional energy you are talking about - Thanks for replying!

likewise - I have been bored twice in my life - at school meetings - and was fascinated by the sensation!
I read, listen to soft music, go somewhere beautiful (like the beach), do relaxation exercises, light candles under essential oils and just sit and be, meditate etc.

LOL blessedgirl, that is exactly what I have told my sons. "I ALWAYS have things for you to do."

I don't think it is so much lazy on our part but unmotivated or overwhelmed with what we do see that we need to do. I get frustrated walking in circles seeing all I can or have to do but now knowing how to start the project or feeling I can't finish if I start. Soooooo, I just do nothing.

That is where the PUSHING comes in. I always find that once I "begin" I feel better and usually do finish.

I agree - I have to change my actions (push uncomfortable, white knuckled, and DO) hoping my thoughts will follow!

I also use Gratitude - and the gratitude alphabet, over and over changing them

A-Alanon
B-Babies
C-Car
D-DS

Always a handy tool - and never hurts! LOL

Go to real life meetings - no matter how fucked up, most the time I can do ONE HOUR, to try and help myself - NAMI, DBSA, Alanon...

Then there is mind numbing TV - brain sucking, give me a break stuff!!!

Then DS - worked for years : )

Sitting outside , if weather permits , smoking and having coffee.
Binge TV, watching the whole 7 seasons of something
Worst days .... NAP

Spend time with family & friends
Read
Watch movies
Walking
DS

1) going for a walk with my iPod up loud
2) television/netflix
3) knitting
4) hot shower
5) eating entire bags of candy (not suggestiing that one, but you asked what I do) :p

Never had the 'boredom' one. 'Thinking' is my all time favorite activity!!!!!

I don't have too much in the way of distractions.
Except if you're talking about really, really heavy depression!!!!
Then I take meds and zonk out for about a whole day!!

Oh, dear!!!! So far, I'm afraid I haven't had too much luck when it comes to preventing certain kinds of behavior that seem like the best idea in the world at the time but later make me blush and want to crawl into a hole in the ground, LOLOLOL!!!!!

Being bored is just one step above depression....

Getting out for a walk
Getting lost in a book
Feeling grateful for all I have everyday
Prayer
My wee Rascal
DS

Boredom will actually send me into a deep depression. A severe one. All it takes is 2 days of feeling bored. My pdoc told me to keep an eye out for it and do something about it immediately.
It's scary. Everyone gets bored at times don't they? I don't know why mine makes me suicidal.

my distractions reading,watching tv, letting dogs in and out. they are spoiled rotten talking on the phone. I guess I only have four.

I don't know!!! I'd really like to know if everyone gets bored and I just don't understand the meaning, or something.

But I can't remember EVER being bored in my life!!!!
There's usually about a million different things that' I'd be 'happy' to be doing!!!
And even when I get stuck somewhere where I can't do anything but 'think', that's fine by me, too!!!

Now, I've been depressed!!! Where I don't WANT to be doing anything. Where I can't BEAR anything!!!! At its worst, it drives me to escape in sleep.
But it doesn't seem anything like what I understand boredom to be.

And I've had anhedonia, where I'm not able to take any pleasure from what I do. THAT'S a bitch!!! But it still isn't a lack of interest (which is what I have always thought 'boredom' to be.)
I never have much luck battling anhedonia, either.
If that doesn't go away quick, it's doctor time.

I guess I tend to turn to meds when it comes to making my plight better.
And since I don't think that's probably the best way to go, I think I'll stop thinking about it, LOLOL!!!!!

A nap, tv, reading, sitting and thinking, DS

My tdoc told me today that I need to work on just sitting and "being" with my anxiety about everything.

I try to busy myself with anything when I should just be. She says with the peace I've been creating lately for myself, I should just sit "in it". I don't know how to do that yet.

I want to be the last reply on all the posts.
It's just a "thing".