Boredom Might Be Better For You Than You Think

Remember that feeling? The one where time slows down, you've got absolutely nothing pressing to do, and maybe you find yourself just staring blankly, feeling restless and agitated? That uncomfortable stillness we call boredom. It feels like a void, something empty that desperately needs filling.

We often treat boredom like an enemy, something to be vanquished immediately. There's even a persistent, somewhat unfair idea floating around that only "boring" people experience boredom. But let's pause and question that.

Who Gets Bored? (Hint: It's Not Just "Boring" People)

While research does suggest certain personalities might feel the sting of boredom more acutely, boredom itself isn't exclusive. The real difference lies in how we react to it. Some people navigate periods of quiet relatively easily, while for others, it can spiral into a deeper dissatisfaction with life, a constant craving for novelty.

Think about it: in one fascinating experiment, participants were simply asked to sit quietly with their thoughts for a few minutes. Sounds simple, right? Yet, they were given an alternative: they could choose to receive a mild electric shock. Surprisingly, a significant number of participants (67% of men and 25% of women in the study) opted for the shock! It suggests that for many, being alone with their own mind felt so unbearable, so boring, that even an unpleasant sensation was preferable just to make something happen.

More Than Just Emptiness: Boredom's Hidden Purpose

It might seem counterintuitive, but this state we try so hard to avoid might actually serve a purpose. Dr. Sandi Mann, who has studied boredom extensively, suggests that like all our emotions (even the difficult ones like anger or sadness), boredom likely has an evolutionary role. It’s not just meaningless suffering.

Imagine a world without boredom. We'd be content watching leaves fall, fascinated by the same view outside our window day after day. Would we ever strive for more? Perhaps not. It's often the routine, the predictability of everyday life, that nudges us to seek new experiences, connect with others, or pursue goals we hadn't considered before. Boredom acts as a signal, prompting us to re-evaluate what we're doing and shift towards activities that feel more meaningful or engaging. It's a motivator, unlike the paralysis that can accompany depression. This distinction is crucial: boredom, while uncomfortable, often pushes us forward.

The Unexpected Spark: Boredom and Creativity

Here's where it gets really interesting. That very state of having "nothing to do" can actually fuel our creativity. In another study, one group was given a truly dull task: manually copying phone numbers from a directory. Afterwards, they were asked to come up with unusual uses for everyday objects. The result? The participants who had endured the most mind-numbing task (just copying numbers) generated significantly more creative ideas compared to others. It seems that when our minds aren't occupied by external stimuli, they start to wander and invent in more active ways. Boredom can clear the way for original thought.

A Shield Against Pain?

Boredom might also act as a sort of emotional buffer. Consider a child going through a difficult situation, perhaps feeling overwhelmed by fear or anger. When they've exhausted their usual distractions – played with all the toys, looked at all the books – and boredom sets in, it can feel like a temporary shutdown of those intense negative emotions. It's a neutral space, devoid of strong feelings, good or bad. In such moments, this quiet state might be preferable to being consumed by emotional turmoil or excessive introspection.

Why We Get Bored Today

Boredom can creep in for various reasons. Sometimes, a task just feels too easy, not engaging enough for our minds, leading people who work on autopilot but crave mental stimulation to feel it more often. It can also be a signal that we need a change – new interests, different social interactions, or finally tackling that project we've been putting off.

And then there's the modern world. Scrolling through social media feeds filled with highlight reels – people seemingly living constantly exciting lives – can distort our perception. These platforms often present an unnaturally bright version of reality, making our own normal, everyday existence feel dull by comparison. It's easy to forget that our own life, even the part spent scrolling on the couch, is the reality, while much of the rest is curated imagery.

When Boredom Becomes Destructive

Of course, while boredom can be useful, letting it grow unchecked can be harmful. When boredom becomes chronic and overwhelming, people might turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms – excessive alcohol use, compulsive social media scrolling, overeating, or other habits that are detrimental in the long run. Remember those participants choosing electric shocks? It shows that sometimes, the drive to escape monotony can even lead people towards actions that cause harm, simply to feel something different.

Responding, Not Running

So, how should we handle boredom? The instinct is often to run – grab the phone, turn on the TV, find any distraction. But constantly fleeing boredom means we miss its underlying message. We avoid the task it sets: figuring out what truly matters to us, what actions feel significant and worthwhile.

Instead of instantly seeking passive consumption, try pausing. Maybe put the phone down for a bit. This small act can help break the cycle of feeling unsatisfied and reinforce your sense of control. It's about acknowledging the discomfort without immediately trying to obliterate it. Ask yourself: What might this feeling be telling me?

It’s also important to recognise that persistent, deep boredom can sometimes accompany other underlying issues. If boredom feels overwhelming and constant, seeking help from a professional is a valid and important step.

Embracing the Quiet

Our brains can't operate at peak productivity all the time. Sometimes, they benefit from simply doing nothing, from being "bored." This feeling is likely always going to be part of the human experience. We probably can't eliminate it entirely, but we can change our relationship with it. By understanding that this irritating, uncomfortable feeling can also be a powerful motivator and a catalyst for change, we might just learn to see it not as an enemy, but as an unlikely, and sometimes useful, companion.

References

• Mann, S. (2016). The Upside of Downtime: Why Boredom Is Good. Robinson.
  This book directly supports the article's main arguments about the positive aspects of boredom. Dr. Mann explores how allowing ourselves to be bored can enhance creativity, improve problem-solving skills, and ultimately make us more productive and happier. It provides accessible explanations for the experimental findings mentioned, such as the link between mundane tasks and subsequent creative thinking. (See Chapters on Creativity and Problem Solving).

• Wilson, T. D., Reinhard, D. A., Westgate, E. C., Gilbert, D. T., Ellerbeck, N., Hahn, C., Brown, C. L., & Shaked, A. (2014). Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind. Science, 345(6192), 75–77.
  This scientific paper details the experiment referenced in the article where participants found it difficult to be alone with their thoughts and some preferred receiving mild electric shocks. It empirically demonstrates the aversion many people have to unstructured mental time, underpinning the discussion of why boredom feels so uncomfortable and why people seek external stimulation, even negative ones. (Focus on Abstract, Results section pp. 76).