Boost your brain with boredom

Boredom basics

What causes people to become bored? When our brains struggle to fill time, we experience boredom. People may feel restless or uninterested in their environment. Boredom is frequent, with more than 60% of US people reporting feeling bored at least once a week.

People's minds are rarely bored when they are engaged in demanding tasks such as work or school, or when they are engaged in a meaningful discussion. When these activities are completed, people become tired and seek ways to divert themselves and their minds.

Humans have discovered ways to alleviate boredom through play and entertainment. Adults prevent boredom by reading, engaging in hobbies, or telling stories. Children overcame obstacles before the introduction of television and mobile devices.

Electronics now command a substantial portion of people's attention. However, in attracting people's attention, this easily available media may have gone too far. Many people spend hours on devices instead of getting short-term respite from boredom.

It's easy to lose track of time while scrolling through TikTok or watching YouTube videos. An hour or two can fly by without a person noticing. People don't generally feel rejuvenated after all that time. Rather, the majority of people are more tired.

While spending so much time on devices reduces boredom, it also causes a separate problem. The less people who are bored, the less prepared the brain is to deal with it.

Restoring the brain

When your brain is concentrated on an intense activity, it expends a lot of energy. When you complete the activity, it returns to its default state. This is normal and how our brains repair themselves. The default state might be thought of as a resting state. Several interrelated brain regions are engaged at this moment. These locations appear to work together as a connected network. This is referred to as the default mode network.

Many crucial processes are happening in the brain when people are in this condition. It's the process of consolidating memories and reflecting on lessons learnt. The brain goes through scenarios and applies what it has learnt and how it can be used in the future. People spend time thinking about themselves and others. They reflect on the past and fantasize about the future.

Developing creative solutions

The sleeping state can also be a creative moment, leading to the discovery of novel solutions to problems that are bothering people. Many people, for example, claim to come up with brilliant answers to difficulties while showering. This is due to the fact that their mind is free to wander while their body is engaged in a thoughtless work and is captive to the task.

The person cannot escape or play a phone game while in the shower. The brain is almost effortlessly going through things and frequently coming up with solutions to difficulties that have been lurking in the back of the mind.

Another example is when a person goes for a walk in the woods. It's a safe and peaceful environment during this time.

Within the first five minutes, the individual progressively becomes accustomed to the surroundings, lowering anxiety. Throughout the rest of the stroll, the brain begins to relax and wander. When a new stimulus enters, the mind recognizes it but returns to a relaxed state. During this moment, the brain is engaged in creative thinking and problem solving.

Embracing boredom

Follow these tips to overcome the uncomfortable feelings of boredom:

Balance activities with rest.

It is beneficial to engage in a variety of activities that you enjoy, involving socialization with others, and are mentally stimulating. However, rest is necessary to replenish your brain. To improve your creative thinking, strike a balance between planned activity and occasional rest periods.

Try something new.
Join a group, attempt a new activity, play a game, read a book, or create a new recipe to spark your creativity and provide a distraction from boredom.
Go outside.
Spending time in nature is one of the most effective ways to relieve boredom. It also encourages innovative thinking.
Accept curiosity and kindness as virtues.
This will get you more interested with the people and the world around you.
Accept reminiscence.
As people get older, they spend more time reminiscing. It's typical and anticipated. If excessive remembering becomes a problem, consider focusing for a few minutes on present or future objectives and desires.

The benefits of boredom for your brain

Our brains, like our bodies, require rest from time to time. When our minds are overstimulated, we may experience mental tiredness or fatigue. As a result, work and employee satisfaction suffer, and productivity suffers. 

However, boredom is thought to be linked to mind wandering, which may be a sign of increased working memory capacity. Working memory is a type of short-term memory that allows us to store information for future use. 

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison investigated mind wandering and working memory. Students taking part in a study were given a straightforward, monotonous activity to complete. Students were then graded on their ability to recall a series of letters displayed alongside basic math problems. 

Students with higher working memory reported that they allowed their minds to wander.

Students with greater working memory stated that they allowed their minds to wander more while executing the job. Researchers concluded that more working memory leads to more mind wandering.

High working memory capacity has been related to higher IQ and other benefits. Rather than feeling bad about allowing our minds to wander from time to time, we should welcome it. Allow yourself some time to daydream. Mind wandering and daydreaming indicate that our working memory is being used effectively.

Helping kids accept boredom

It is not the obligation of parents to entertain their children at all times of the day. Children are naturally inquisitive and inventive. Boredom helps kids develop their creative muscles and learn to cope with boredom as they get older.

If kids express ennui, accept their sentiments and challenge them to find a solution. If they're stuck, suggest alternatives that don't involve an electronic gadget.

Boredom can be more unpleasant or distressing for persons who are afraid, nervous, or depressed. If this is the case, individuals should seek professional assistance in order to work through their emotions and build appropriate coping skills.

Be not scared of dullness. It is a natural part of existence. Don't disregard or dislike it. Instead, consider it as an opportunity.

Default mode network

The default mode network refers to brain regions that are active when our minds are resting, such as when we are bored. The default mode network encourages internally focused thought, such as those we have when we let our brains wander.

However, research reveals that the default mode network activates during tasks that need us to communicate with and relate to others. Because of this overlap, engaging the default mode network can aid in our social comprehension of others. 

The default mode network has the potential to influence our emotional perception, empathy, theory of mind, and morality. These social benefits are beneficial in our personal lives at home as well as our professional lives at work.

Is boredom really good for you?

We can become bored for a variety of reasons. We can feel underwhelmed when we perform an exceedingly straightforward work or lack passion for a certain endeavor. Isolation can sometimes lead to boredom. During the Covid-19 pandemic of the last few years, many of us felt a lot of it. 

So, how and why is boredom beneficial? Though boredom is commonly associated with feeling stagnant or unfulfilled, it may also be a driving force. Boredom can occasionally steer us in the right direction. There is psychology behind using boredom to your advantage.

Boredom can be harmful if it occurs frequently and for an extended period of time. However, boredom might be beneficial. Danckert and Eastwood provide a few ideas for how to use boredom for good. 

First and foremost, be cool. 
Second, consider the current circumstances. 
Finally, use that reflection to plan for the future by considering new goals and next steps.