Boredom as a new productivity tool
As humans, our brains were not originally developed to handle the constant influx of dopamine brought on by today’s endless sources of stimulation. With technology like phones, computers, televisions, and social media, we have access to a plethora of appealing forms of entertainment. From Instagram and Facebook to TikTok and YouTube shorts, the list of ways to consume funny videos or motivational speeches seems never-ending.
I already wrote an article about why I think social media may be dangerous for society and you in particular and how to avoid it. But this note is a little different. Here, I want to talk about boredom, and why I think people underestimate the importance of being bored. Yes, you heard it right. Boredom, when embraced and understood, has the potential to be a catalyst for personal growth, enhanced creativity, and improved mental well-being. Let’s explore why boredom deserves a second look and how it can benefit our lives.
History
Boredom, as a concept, has been a part of human experience throughout history. While the feeling of boredom itself is universal, its perception and understanding have evolved over time.
Ancient and Classical Era: In ancient Greece, philosophers such as Socrates and Aristotle discussed the concept of acedia, which encompassed feelings of listlessness, apathy, and boredom. The idea of boredom was recognized as a concept worth exploring and understanding, linking it to philosophical and spiritual contemplation. There was no negative connotation associated with it.
During the Middle Ages: Boredom was often associated with idleness, which was considered sinful and unproductive. The Christian Church condemned idleness, emphasizing the importance of constant devotion and work as a means to avoid boredom and maintain a righteous life.
The Enlightenment: With the advent of the Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, boredom began to be viewed in a different light again. Enlightenment thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and Jean-Jacques Rousseau saw boredom as a consequence of modern society’s emphasis on routine, mechanization, and lack of individual freedom. They argued that true fulfillment and happiness could be found through intellectual pursuits and creative expression.
Industrial Revolution and Modern Times: The Industrial Revolution brought significant societal changes, including increased urbanization and the rise of factory labor. Boredom became more prevalent as monotonous and repetitive work became the norm for many people. But people are being frowned upon for being bored, and new tools emerge to fight this idleness and they reached its peak with all the modern social media.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the value of boredom. Researchers have studied its effects on creativity, cognitive processes, and psychological well-being [1] (references at the bottom). Boredom has been associated with enhanced problem-solving abilities, increased self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of oneself.
So, if we draw a chart with the perception of boredom, we’ll get something like that (of course, very simplified — the chart shows a generalized trend and perception of boredom throughout these historical periods; the actual understanding and experiences of boredom may have varied among different cultures, societies, and individuals during each era.)
Certainly, this chart doesn’t reflect the recent studies and changes happening lately. But I’d argue that the overall perception of boredom is still quite negative and people try to avoid it by any means without evaluating the benefits.
Neuroscience behind the scenes
Boredom has the power to ignite our creative spark. When our minds are idle and unoccupied, they have the freedom to wander, daydream, and explore new ideas [2]. In those moments of boredom, we are more likely to engage in introspection, contemplate life’s deeper questions, and make connections that we may have overlooked in the busyness of our lives. Creativity flourishes when we allow our minds to wander and embrace the potential of the unknown.
As sleep is very well known tool to enhance performance and brain functions [3], the boredom is another tool to help to restore and improve our neural connections. Let’s talk about some particular recent findings how boredom could help you be more productive (isn’t it a miracle?)
The Default Mode Network (DMN) is a network of brain regions that becomes active when the mind is at rest and not engaged in specific tasks. Boredom has been found to activate the DMN [5], which is associated with self-reflection, introspection, and creative thinking. This activation can lead to increased self-awareness, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of oneself.
Boredom often leads to daydreaming (can’t recommend enough to watch — The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) and mind-wandering, where the mind spontaneously generates thoughts and ideas. This mental state allows for free association, making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, and fostering creativity and innovation. Daydreaming can lead to “incubation periods,” where the brain continues to work on a problem even when we are not consciously focused on it, resulting in potential breakthroughs and insights.
It happened so many times to me — you struggle with a difficult problem for hours, you just can’t find this bug, or can’t find out a simple solution. Then, you detach from the work, and solution comes to you naturally when you think about something completely different. This is a beuty of boredom! Even though it looks like you do nothing — your brain continues to work on a problem and reshaping your neural network to reach the result.
Boredom can also act as a motivational signal that prompts people to seek out new experiences and challenges. When we are bored, our brain seeks novelty and stimulation, which can drive us to explore new environments, engage in new activities, or pursue new interests.
This pursuit of novelty leads to seeking opportunities to practice mindfulness and be present in the current moment. By accepting and embracing the experience of boredom, you can develop skills to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This mindfulness practice can promote mental well-being, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional regulation. Even though it’s bordering with religion, it’s hard to argue that boredom is a core element of many spiritual activities.
It’s important to note that the positive effects of boredom may vary depending on individual factors and the context in which it is experienced. Additionally, the benefits of boredom are most pronounced when people actively engage with their boredom and use it as an opportunity for reflection, creativity, and personal growth.
Tips to embrace boredom
So next time you’re feeling bored, don’t reach for your phone or your computer. Instead, take a few minutes to reflect on your life and your goals. You may be surprised at what you come up with.
Here are a few tips for making the most of boredom:
- Take a walk. Getting some fresh air and exercise can help to clear your head and boost your creativity.
- Read a book. Reading is a great way to learn new things and escape from the everyday world.
- Spend time with friends and family. Social interaction can help to reduce stress and boredom.
- Take a nap. Sometimes, all you need is a little rest to recharge your batteries.
- Do something creative. Boredom can be a great time to let your creativity flow. Try painting, writing, or playing an instrument. For instance, I’m writing this article because I’m bored!
Drawbacks
I don’t want to sound like you just should pursue boredom over everything else. At the end of the day, if you’re bored 99% of the time, it’s quite a pitty life. If we’re constantly bored, we can start to feel anxious and restless. We may also become more impulsive and make poor decisions.
I also need to make it clear that you shouldn’t try very hard to be bored. Your organism will naturally try to escape this state, and to do it some people may resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overeating, excessive use of drugs or alcohol, or engaging in risky behaviors. These coping strategies may provide temporary relief but can have long-term negative consequences.
The key is to find a balance (isn’t it always?). We need to allow ourselves to be bored from time to time, but we also need to make sure that we don’t let it get out of control.
Conclusion
I hope I was able to show how and why boredom can be a good thing. It can help us to be more creative, productive, and reflective. So next time you’re feeling bored, don’t fight it. Embrace it! And by being bored and idle you actually become more productive, this is the main beauty of boredom!
References
[1] Approaching novel thoughts: Understanding why elation and boredom promote associative thought more than distress and relaxation
[2] Why Being Bored Might Not Be a Bad Thing after All
[3] Sleep to grow smart http://www.architalbiol.org/index.php/aib/article/view/15399
[4] Creativity, Boredom Proneness and Well-Being in the Pandemic https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/12/3/68
[5] Boredom, sustained attention and the default mode network https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-016-4617-5
