In a hyper-productive, easily distracted society, being bored is often looked down upon and generally avoided. We fill our lives with busy schedules and to-do lists, and when we do have free time, we often end up filling it with other things like watching a show or doom scrolling. Boredom is not typically a positive emotion, but it may actually be a good thing.
According to Dr. Erin Westgate, a researcher at the University of Florida, boredom can arise from a number of different circumstances. Some of these include a task being too easy or too difficult, not finding something meaningful, or not knowing what to do with yourself. The latter is, in my experience, the most common and the moments I’m most likely to find an easy distraction. When you have a few minutes before class or you’re a little early to something, what do you do? Often, reach for your phone and find something to easily occupy your mind.
Is that really helpful, though? Technology often offers a mindless distraction, but it does not necessarily lessen boredom. According to New York Times journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer, “Some research does suggest that although we reach for our phones to alleviate boredom, technology may also cause us to feel more bored. Dr. Westgate said that she worries that technology may prevent us from constructively responding to our boredom, too.” It doesn’t take much effort to turn to a phone or other device, but if you consume things passively, lack of engagement will likely make the boredom worse.
I’m not saying that technology is inherently evil or that you should never get on social media. But I know I spend more time on Instagram than I would really like to because I get bored and uncomfortable and don’t know what else to do with myself. Allowing yourself to feel bored in those awkward in-between moments may be more helpful to the health of your brain.
Many people say they have their best ideas in the shower or as they’re trying to fall asleep. Why? Because they’re bored and finally give their brains a chance to connect thoughts and generate ideas. “Dr. Westgate believes that in moderate doses, boredom can offer a valuable learning opportunity, spurring creativity and problem solving,” writes New Your Times Catherine Pearson. People generally do not give their minds much time to wander in thought. Sometimes, boredom can be just the thing you need to come up with a solution to a problem you’ve been puzzling over. It can help shift your thoughts in a slightly new direction. It may even help you think of an idea for something you had never even considered.
Boredom can also give your brain a break and allow it to process things that have happened throughout your day or week. If we are constantly filling our free time with other inputs and stimuli, our brain never has time to rest. A little bit of downtime where you just sit in the boredom may allow you to think through your day and interactions better than if you are always occupied.
Pearson writes, “free time carves out room for discovery.” Being bored may push you to explore things you haven’t done before or take up a new hobby. You don’t need to live in a state of boredom—that also wouldn’t be helpful. But a little boredom now and then may be good for you. Be intentional with the time you have and think of other ways you could use the times you are bored instead of passively scrolling.
Photo courtesy o fHeide Benser.
