Boredom can be one of the most uncomfortable feelings. One study found that people who had to sit alone in a room with only their own thoughts for 15 minutes would rather choose to shock themselves with an electric current than sit uncomfortably through the brief experiment.
Yet, boredom is just another signal from our brain, telling us it’s time to find something more meaningful to do. In this century, people try to escape boredom with phones or computers. But that often doesn’t solve our quest for meaning; scrolling through TikTok videos or Instagram photos can distract us, but not give us impactful, long-lasting stimulation.
That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the signals boredom sends us and ask important questions: why do I feel bored? What would be more meaningful for me to do instead? By listening to our boredom, we can help understand what we want from life, replenish our hard-working brains, and delve into creativity. Here are some things a bored mind can do for you:
Often, the best ideas come to people as they’re trying to fall asleep, taking a shower, or are out on a walk. This is because our brains are in a relaxed state, not distracted by work, technology, or family demands. When our brains are bored, they use the time to improve social connections, Forbes reports. This boredom gives the brain time to rest, bring to the surface its creative problem solving, and improve your energy for projects at work or in your personal life.
Being bored is a great time to consider what new experiences or activities you might want in your life. Perhaps you’re tired of your exercise routine and want to try something more adventurous, like bouldering or a dance class. Maybe you’d like to pick up a new hobby such as a musical instrument, or read a new genre of book. Embrace and consider these signals from your brain indicating that you’re looking for more meaning.
Downtime is good for our brains. Instead of turning to your phone during times of boredom, try meditation, go on a walk, or do some journaling to help you reflect and relax.
Being able to cope with boredom is an important skill for children, and teaches them how to self-regulate, so that they can learn to manage their emotions and actions as they get older, says Psychology Today. Be proactive and create a list with your child of several activities that they enjoy doing. Then, when they feel bored, ask them to go look at their list and pick an activity they’d like to do. This can give them self-agency by teaching them how to problem solve, says the Child Mind Institute.
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