In the modern age, boredom is hard to come by. When we have a moment to pause during a busy day, most of us pull out our phones for some quick entertainment. While it is a natural response to alleviate boredom, research suggests that boredom has a variety of mental health benefits, which we will explore today:
- Increased Creativity
When we’re bored, our brains aren’t as occupied, allowing them to wander and generate creative ideas. A 2013 study by a British psychologist illustrated this phenomenon. Participants were split into two groups: one group did a boring task (copying phone numbers from a directory), while the other didn’t. Afterwards, both groups were asked to come up with as many uses as possible for a plastic cup. The bored group performed the best. In a follow-up experiment, participants were given an even more boring task—simply reading the phone digits—and they generated the highest number of ideas.
- Productivity and Problem-Solving
Feeling bored is often uncomfortable, and one way to respond to that unpleasant feeling is by getting started on a task. For example, renowned author Agatha Christie stated that “there’s nothing like boredom to make you write.” Boredom also promotes problem-solving. On the surface, boredom makes life feel stagnant. But on the inside, our brains use that time to sort through problems. Since the mind doesn’t need to focus on a task, it can devote itself fully to innovative solutions to issues.
- Relaxation and Self-Reflection
Sometimes your brain just needs a break. Boredom may not feel great, but it provides your mind with essential downtime to rejuvenate. Along with this recalibration, doing nothing gives you an opportunity to self-reflect. In the stillness of inactivity, you may discover personal insights and draw connections that you hadn’t previously noticed.
All in all, boredom has a variety of positive mental health outcomes. The next time you feel the urge to check your phone in a moment of nothing, let the boredom exist and witness the benefits.