Boredom in the DEVIL: Mindfulness

The title here might seem a bit dramatic or over the top, but trust me, NOTHING IS MORE TRUE. Boredom isn't really a good thing in anyone's life; humans are made to be doing things, thinking, moving forward; but this is even more true with people suffering from mental health issues, particularly BPD.

Look at it this way: what is the fundamental base of BPD and other mental disorders? Thought, feelings that arise from thoughts; essentially it is 'all in our heads' (and I don't mean that in a negative way I promise). When we have something to occupy our minds, less thoughts will come into our minds because we're actively using them. And those frustrating and potentially destructive fantasies and obsessive intrusive thoughts that lead to splitting and over analyzing and even personal crisis won't happen as frequently or as intensely if we're focused on some external thing.

Keeping busy and not allowing yourself to become bored does NOT mean that you can't have 'down-time'. There are plenty of things you can do that are relaxing but also proactive. Mindfulness is a HUGE factor in this. Any tiny activity can totally engulf you if you allow it, while at the same time you can be doing something seemingly active or thoughtful while not ACTUALLY THINKING about it. I'll give you an example. Something as small as doing the dishes, which most people would consider a boring chore can become a mindfulness excercise. Instead of whipping out the detergent and letting your thoughts wander, try focusing on what you're actually doing. Feel the suds on your hands. Focus on getting each dish as clean as possible. Hear the sounds of running water. On the other side of the spectrum, you can be doing something more in depth such as watching a television show or movie but you're not concentrating on what you're doing. Or if you're having a conversation with someone; actually SEE the person in front of you. Contemplate what they're saying. Actually LISTEN for once.

So basically; it's not what you're doing, it's how you're doing it. Practice being in the moment and mindful in every thing you do, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant you may think it is. When you do this it is easier not to have all those terrible and upsetting thoughts entering your mind constantly and when they do occur, it's harder for them to take root.