我的“居家更幸福”项目的守护圣人之一塞缪尔·约翰逊写道：“通过研究小事，我们就能掌握尽可能减少痛苦、尽可能获得幸福的伟大艺术。”
一件看似微不足道的小事，却可能让人感到不快乐，那就是无聊。比如堵车、等地铁、洗碗、在医生办公室候诊，或者听你十三岁的女儿滔滔不绝地讨论她今天要穿的不同衣服。
以下七个技巧可以帮助你重新审视当下。即使你无法摆脱困境，通过调整你对它的情绪，你也能改变现状。
1. 在你觉得无聊的事情后面加上“冥想”这个词。 （这是我的发明。）如果你等公交车时感到不耐烦，就告诉自己你在进行“等公交车冥想”。如果你在药店排着长队，就告诉自己你在进行“排队冥想”。光是念这些话就让我感觉自己很有灵性、很有格调、很有智慧。
2. 深入钻研。俗话说，如果无法逃避，那就全身心投入。黛安·阿勃丝写道：“中国人有一种理论，认为人会从无聊走向着迷，我认为这是真的。” 如果某件事让你觉得无聊两分钟，那就做四分钟。如果还是无聊，那就做八分钟，然后十六分钟，以此类推。最终，你会发现它一点也不无聊。如果我的研究内容中有一部分让我提不起兴趣——比如为了写《 四十种看待温斯顿·丘吉尔的方式》而研究的达达尼尔海峡战役——我会读一整本相关的书，然后它就会变得引人入胜。同样的道理也适用于做那些枯燥乏味或令人厌烦的事情，比如洗衣服。
3. 换位思考，像记者或科学家一样观察周围的一切。人们穿着什么？建筑物内部是什么样子？你听到什么声音？广告里都在播放什么？如果你运用分析能力，几乎任何事物都能变得有趣。矛盾的是，我发现，理解了为什么排队会让我抓狂之后，我反而更能忍受排队了。
4. 找个避风港。事先规划好一条心理逃生路线。想想一些令人愉悦或振奋的事情（别想着待办事项清单！）。翻看手机里孩子的照片（研究表明，看亲人的照片能显著改善心情）。听有声读物。
5. 寻找值得感恩的事情。在医生办公室等待时感到无聊总比焦急地等待检查结果要好得多。和家人围坐在餐桌旁聊衣服总比出差在外要轻松愉快得多。也许药店里另一条队伍移动得更慢。等等。
6. 想想：“我是不是那个无趣的人？”拉罗什福科曾说过：“我们总是会厌倦那些让我们感到无聊的人。”每当我和别人进行无聊的谈话时，我都会提醒自己这句话！
7. 当然，还要带一本书（实体书或电子书）。
你用什么方法来对抗无聊？
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
SHARE YOUR REFLECTION
9 PAST RESPONSES
Good ideas! However, I usually do not feel bored. While waiting, I feel that I cannot do anything more about the task I m waiting for. Then I start enjoying the moment: get lost in my dreams and plan for interesting things.
wonderful blog. I listen to music when im bored. jack Johnson, Trevor hall. look them up! =)
I think it was Albert Einstein who talked about never being bored. (I may not have quote exactly right, but it's close...) "Whenever I am in a situation that I find boring I simply retreat into a small corner of my mind and there I am very content." Boredom is proof of a lack of imagination. My favorite out: doodling...
This is a wonderful article! Thank you!
Put the word “meditation” after the activity that’s boring you. What a brilliant one (yes, it's your invention).
Thank you.
Does anyone have ideas for elementary students? I teach elementary gifted students. As much as we are able, teachers will offer more challenging material, but sometimes students have to sit through material they already know and/or feel is not important. Boredom is a regular discussion topic in my classroom. I am going to take this article and have the students determine how they can adapt some of these ideas to be classroom friendly. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
We all need to learn to be "still" in the moment. It is in this stillness that we can really see ourselves and the world.
Honestly, I never get bored. I always have a book with me to read in the doctor's or dentist's office, and my goals and dreams keep me busy, too. As I'm sitting and contemplating, I take notes because new ideas always come up to make my goals even better. When I'm sitting in traffic, I see it as an opportunity to look around and observe the view. I love those moments - it's a breather for me.
I love the idea of creating a meditation while standing in line, though. Great idea Gretchen!
I am never bored. I always have a book to read or I'll strike up conversation with someone or at home I have plenty to do that's fun/interesting (reading, connecting with good friends via email/calls), doing my art, organizing something that needs tackling, playing with my dog, making my home environment more enjoyable, getting rid of unwanted/used stuff, etc. Napping is a good one too!