What to do when bored and tired is a common question that many people face, especially after long days when your energy levels are low but you still feel restless. We’ve all been there – feeling bored and wanting to do something interesting, but lacking the energy for anything too demanding or challenging. This frustrating combination of boredom and fatigue calls for a special type of activity that can spark interest and lift your mood without draining what little energy you have left.
The good news is that there are plenty of simple, low-energy ideas that can help you feel good, relax your mind, and find joy in quiet moments. These easy activities prove that you don’t need amazing energy to have a fulfilling time.
Why Low-Energy Activities Are Important When You Feel Bored and Tired
Low-energy activities serve as the perfect bridge between doing nothing and overexerting yourself when feeling bored and dealing with low energy levels. These gentle pursuits allow you to engage your mind and emotions without placing physical demands on your already tired body. They help combat the restless feelings that come with boredom while honoring your body’s need for rest, which works wonders for your overall mood.
Many of these low-energy activities naturally promote a meditative state that can help clear your mind, process emotions, and restore your sense of well-being.
Let’s dive into 20 ideas for what to do when bored and tired.
20 Low-Energy Activities to Try
1. Listen to a Calming Podcast
Choose podcasts with soothing voices and interesting but not overstimulating content that can spark interest without overwhelming your tired mind. Many people find that spending time with podcasts helps them feel good while keeping their minds occupied enough to prevent restless thoughts from taking over.
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2. Watch a Cozy TV Show or Movie
Select comfort viewing like familiar sitcoms, nature documentaries, or gentle movies that don’t require intense focus or challenge your tired brain. Cozy viewing provides visual and emotional comfort while requiring minimal mental effort.
3. Try Adult Coloring Books
Adult coloring books offer the perfect combination of creativity and mindfulness without requiring artistic skill or intense concentration. The repetitive motions and focus on simple tasks help calm your mind while providing a sense of accomplishment that can boost your mood.
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4. Take a Slow Walk Outside
A walk around your neighborhood or in a nearby park provides fresh air and light movement without exhausting your limited energy reserves. Even spending time on a 10-15 minute walk can significantly improve your mood and mental clarity when feeling bored.
5. Do Simple Stretches or Gentle Yoga
Light stretching or restorative yoga poses help release physical tension while promoting relaxation and mindfulness without requiring yoga classes or special equipment. These movements also improve circulation and can help reduce the physical discomfort that often comes with being tired and feeling bored.
6. Practice Meditation or Breathing Exercises
Meditation doesn’t require any physical energy and can actually help restore your mental energy while reducing stress and anxiety that often come with boredom. This practice helps calm your mind, reduces mental chatter, and can leaves you feeling more refreshed and centered for the rest of your day.
7. Write in a Journal or Voice Memo
Journaling provides an outlet for your thoughts and emotions while requiring minimal physical energy but engaging your creative side. You can write about your day, explore your feelings, create a to do list for future projects, or simply let your thoughts flow onto paper.
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8. Call a Friend or Family Member
Connecting with someone you care about can provide emotional comfort and mental stimulation without requiring physical energy or leaving your comfortable space. Choose a friend or family member who makes you feel good and happy, and let the conversation flow naturally about anything that comes to mind.
9. Browse Experience Gifts for Future Adventures
Exploring experience gifts for travelers and adventure possibilities can spark interest and give you something positive to look forward to in the future. Research destinations you’ve always wanted to visit, read about unique experiences, or create wish lists of adventures for when you have more energy and time available.
10. Work on a Simple Puzzle or Brain Game
Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or simple mobile games provide gentle mental stimulation without overwhelming your tired mind or requiring intense focus. Many people find puzzle-solving naturally meditative and satisfying, making it perfect for when you want to feel productive but don’t have much energy.
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11. Organize Photos on Your Phone
Scrolling through your photo library, deleting unwanted images, and organizing favorites provides a sense of accomplishment while triggering happy memories from the past year or beyond. This simple task requires minimal energy but can be surprisingly satisfying and emotionally uplifting when feeling bored.
12. Listen to an Audiobook
Audiobooks allow you to enjoy literature and learning while resting comfortably in any space that feels good to you. Many people find audiobooks perfect for when they want mental engagement without visual strain or physical effort, and you can listen to your heart’s content.
13. Doodle or Sketch Freely
Free-form drawing or doodling requires no artistic skill and provides a creative outlet that can be surprisingly relaxing and meditative when you’re feeling bored. Let your hand move freely without judgment or specific goals, and just focus on the simple joy of creating something with your hands.
14. Try Simple Crafts or Knitting
Basic crafts like friendship bracelets, simple knitting, or easy origami provide gentle focus and create something tangible while requiring minimal energy from you. The repetitive motions often found in crafting can be naturally calming and meditative, helping you relax and feel good.
15. Play a Relaxing Video Game
Choose games that are designed to be calming rather than competitive or challenging, especially when your energy levels are low. Many mobile games are specifically designed for relaxation and can be played while you sit comfortably anywhere.
16. Read Inspirational Quotes or a Good Book
Browse collections of uplifting quotes, poetry, or read a few pages of a good book that can provide comfort and perspective without requiring sustained concentration. This activity can help shift your perspective, provide motivation, and offer wisdom from others who have experienced similar challenges in life.
17. Create a Vision Board or Write a To Do List
Use magazines, online images, or simple drawings to create a visual representation of your goals, dreams, and things that make you feel good about the future. This creative activity combines artistry with positive thinking and planning for what’s ahead. You can also write a to do list for future projects when you have more energy.
18. Watch Relaxing Nature Videos
YouTube and other platforms offer countless hours of peaceful nature footage – from ocean waves and forest sounds to time-lapse flowers blooming or aurora displays that can spark interest and wonder. These videos provide visual beauty and natural sounds that can be deeply calming and restorative when you’re feeling bored.
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19. Try a New Recipe or Bake Something Simple
Choose easy recipes that don’t require complex techniques or lots of energy – perhaps muffins from a mix, no-bake cookies, or simple bread that doesn’t matter if it’s perfect. Baking also gives you something tangible to enjoy and potentially share with friends or loved ones, creating connection and satisfaction from minimal effort while learning new things.
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20. Create a Cozy Atmosphere and Relax
Light some candles, dim the lights, drink some water or your favorite beverage, and listen to ASMR videos or calming sounds while simply relaxing in the peaceful environment you’ve created. This multi-sensory experience engages sight, smell, and hearing in gentle ways that promote deep relaxation and help you feel good. ASMR content is specifically designed to trigger relaxing sensations, while candles provide soft light and pleasant scents that naturally calm your mind.
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How to Choose the Right Activity for Your Mood
Selecting the perfect low-energy activity depends on understanding your specific type of tiredness and what kind of stimulation would feel most satisfying. Consider these three simple steps to match activities with your current state:
Step 1: Assess your energy level.
Step 2: Identify what type of engagement you crave.
Step 3: Consider your environment and available time.
Extra Tip: Turn Your Low-Energy Moments into Something Special
Approach these moments with intention rather than frustration when feeling bored and tired. When you honor your need for rest while still engaging your mind in gentle ways, you create a balanced approach to relaxation that leaves you feeling restored.
Write a note to yourself about activities that work wonders for your mood, or create a simple to do list of cozy activities for future use. These quiet moments often become some of the most peaceful and restorative parts of your day, providing necessary mental breaks from the stress of daily life.
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Conclusion
Whether you choose creative activities, meditative practices like breathing exercises, or social connections like calling friends, the key is finding activities that feel good and sustainable for your current energy. Remember that these quiet moments aren’t lost time – they’re valuable opportunities for rest, reflection, and gentle self-care that can bring joy to any day or night.
Next time you find yourself feeling bored but tired, try one of these activities instead of scrolling mindlessly or feeling frustrated with your energy levels. You might discover that some of your most peaceful and restorative moments come from these simple, low-energy pursuits that honor both your need for engagement and your body’s wisdom about rest.