NASA researchers fear boredom. The risks and challenges of distant space travel go beyond technology. The journey to Mars would take more than 8 months each way. Which means the astronauts would get bored -- and boredom is one of the biggest threats to a manned Mars mission.

Boredom, it turns out, is a form of stress. It’s the mirror image of having too much to do. Scientists understand that chronic boredom correlates with depression. My anecdotal observation is that many people considering retirement are terrified of becoming bored. I get it. There are only so many hours I can play golf and bridge. Which is why I have found Naples to be the perfect place to live during my “next chapter.”

I’ve traveled around the globe, and can’t think of another place that offers the diversity of opportunities in which to be engaged – in almost any pursuit. Intellectual, artistic, culinary, athletic, natural, spiritual, philanthropic, educational opportunities abound in Naples. There simply isn’t a day that there isn’t something enticing to do.

There is also every opportunity to simply do nothing. Which has its own wonderful appeal. Knowing there is so much available to do – even if you chose to do nothing – is in its own way, blissful.

BY: Jackie Perrett