6 surprising benefits of boredom & how to approach being bored
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
Explore what boredom is, including the causes and surprising benefits of being bored. Plus, what to do when you're bored with 7 tips to use boredom constructively.
If you’ve spent any time around young children, you’ve probably heard them whine about being bored when the stimulation of their day begins to wane. Maybe it’s tedious school work, or a long car ride, but boredom sets in and they’ll tell you they’re not happy about it.
While adults may have a bit more patience with monotony, the truth is we’ve probably all felt bored at one time or another. We’re not judging! After all, there are so many more interesting things to do than watching a clock during a long meeting or waiting for the train.
While some people might view boredom as a problem signaling that they’re in a rut, it may be getting an unnecessarily bad rap. Allowing ourselves to be bored can actually enhance our lives in unexpected ways and may even spawn creativity.
What is boredom?
Boredom is that pesky feeling we experience when we’re uninterested in our thoughts, surroundings, or activities. This might result in finding ourselves with nothing else to do. It’s a feeling that can be accompanied by a sense of lethargy and can sometimes lead to frustration or restlessness.
Although it’s a common experience, boredom is frequently misunderstood. Many people equate boredom with laziness or a lack of ambition, but boredom isn’t inherently negative. It's a natural response to a lack of stimulation, and it can be a signal that our current environment or activity isn’t meeting our cognitive or emotional needs. Boredom can prompt us to find more meaningful experiences.
There are two main types of boredom:
Transient boredom: Occurs daily and typically resolves with a change in activity
Chronic boredom: A more persistent feeling that might require deeper introspection or changes to lifestyle
What causes boredom?
Boredom can arise when we’re not mentally challenged or engaged. This might occur when we’re doing repetitive tasks, have predictable routines, or when activities don't align with our interests or stimulate our minds. For instance, if you thrive on creative work, you might find doing too many administrative tasks to be monotonous and uninspiring.
Another key factor in boredom can be a lack of control over your situation. If you can’t change your circumstances, it can make it difficult to engage fully, which can lead to a sense of disconnection from your activities.
Personal expectations or societal pressures can also be behind some of our feelings of boredom. If there’s a mismatch between what we want to do and what we’re currently doing, it can make boredom more likely. Similarly, if societal norms push us into roles or jobs that don’t fit our likes, ambitions, or talents, we can feel frequently bored.
The link between anxiety and boredom
Anxiety and boredom can be connected in the following ways:
1. Boredom can make us feel unproductive: For many, the idea of not doing anything can spark anxiety, as we feel pressure to always be productive or engaged in activity.
2. Boredom can bring anxiety to the surface: When we’re busy, it’s easy to ignore or forget that we’re anxious. When we have less to do, we are forced to contend with those feelings.
3. Boredom can force us to reassess how we spend our time: Those who are bored because their daily activities don’t align with their goals or taste might also experience anxiety as a result.
The surprising benefits of boredom: 6 positives of being bored
While boredom can come with many downsides, such as feeling uninspired or lethargic, it can also lead to surprising benefits.
1. Enhanced creativity: Boredom can force your mind to wander and explore new ideas. When you’re not focused on specific tasks, your brain has the opportunity to come up with innovative solutions or creative projects. This mental wandering can allow you to connect different ideas in new and interesting ways.
2. Increased self-awareness: Periods of boredom can offer opportunities for introspection. With fewer external distractions, you can reflect on your personal goals, desires, and behaviors. This can lead to a better understanding of who you are and what you truly want, helping you make more informed decisions about your life.
3. Opportunity for new interests and passions: Feeling bored can be a sign that your current activities aren’t fulfilling you, and this can prompt you to explore new pursuits that spark excitement and joy.
4. Improved mental health: Taking breaks from a constant state of busyness can allow your mind to rest, reducing feelings of stress and overload. This can help maintain mental balance and prevent burnout.
5. Motivation for goal reassessment: Boredom can prompt you to think about your current situation and goals. This can lead you to make changes that align more closely with your personal aspirations and values, setting the stage for more satisfying and meaningful connections.
6. Additional problem-solving skills: When your mind is more relaxed, it can approach problems from new angles and develop better strategies for overcoming challenges.
What to do when you're bored
Feeling bored can be an opportunity for reevaluating your life, reassessing your goals, and creating an action plan for rediscovering happiness and redirecting your energy to a pursuit of life that fulfills you.
Practice acceptance
Acknowledge your boredom. It's a common emotion and not necessarily something that needs to be fixed immediately, so sit with the feeling without judgment. It’s perfectly okay to do nothing at times. Often, these quiet moments can lead you to some of your best insights and ideas.
💙 Take a few moments to let yourself do nothing and give yourself Permission to Be.
Get curious
Ask yourself why you might be feeling this way. Is it the task at hand? Or is it a deeper feeling of dissatisfaction with certain aspects of your life? This can provide insights into what might be lacking or what needs to change.
💙 Reconnect with yourself through this grounding Loving-Kindness Meditation.
Get creative
Think creatively about how to address your boredom. What might fulfill you in that moment? Maybe it's tackling a problem from a new angle, brainstorming ideas for a new project, or allowing yourself to daydream without a goal.
💙 Dive into the Discovering Happiness series to bounce back from boredom and rediscover what brings you happiness and joy.
7 tips to use boredom constructively (when you don’t know what else to do)
Sometimes, even after trying to embrace and understand your boredom, you might still feel stuck. Luckily, by applying some intentional strategies, you can transform periods of boredom from time wasted to time well-spent.
1. Initiate a mini project
Start a small project, like painting a picture or starting a new book. Small projects can occupy your mind and provide a sense of accomplishment.
2. Set personal goals
Use your idle time to reflect on your personal ambitions. Set goals to reinvigorate your enthusiasm for daily activities, which can help alleviate feelings of boredom.
💙 Delve deeper into goal-setting by becoming clear on The ‘Why’ Behind Your Goals.
3. Learn something new
Learning something new can be a fantastic way to redirect your focus and engage your brain. Look for online courses or local classes.
4. Organize and declutter
Tackle clutter in your physical or digital space. This can be surprisingly satisfying, and has the added benefit of making your environment more pleasant and functional, which can boost your mood and productivity.
5. Meditate or practice mindfulness
Use mindfulness exercises or meditation to help you explore your thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This can help you manage boredom and improve your overall mental wellbeing.
💙 If you’re new to mindfulness, start your practice with the help from Calm’s Mindfulness for Beginners series.
6. Plan your next adventure
Arrange a future vacation or a day trip to give you something to look forward to, and also to shift your focus to the possibilities ahead.
7. Volunteer your time
Find opportunities to volunteer your time, whether locally or online. Helping others can provide a deep sense of satisfaction and purpose, making your downtime feel more meaningful.
Benefits of boredom FAQs
Is boredom at work a good thing?
Boredom at work can be beneficial if it prompts you to reflect on your job satisfaction and career goals. It may highlight areas where you need more challenge or variety, which can push you to look for new opportunities for growth within or outside your current job. However, it’s important to balance this by asking yourself when your boredom might be a sign of a deeper issue with job fit, as this may need to be addressed.
How can I differentiate between harmful boredom and beneficial boredom?
Harmful boredom is persistent. It can lead to feelings of helplessness and can negatively affect your mental health or productivity. It can be accompanied by a lack of motivation that doesn’t improve even with a change of activity. Beneficial boredom, on the other hand, can be a catalyst for change, creativity, or reflection. It usually resolves itself as you engage in different activities or rethink how you approach your time.
What happens when you embrace boredom?
Embracing boredom can allow you to explore new ideas, reflect on your life, and more fully engage with your thoughts. You might discover new interests, develop creative solutions to problems, and gain insights into your personal desires and goals. Boredom can open a space for self-discovery.
Can boredom lead to significant personal growth or career changes?
Boredom can be a powerful motivator for personal growth or career changes. It can prompt you to question whether your current path truly aligns with your values and ambitions. This can lead to decisions like pursuing a new career, starting a personal project, or reshaping your life in meaningful ways.
How does boredom motivate you?
Boredom can motivate you by teaching you to rethink the way you’re currently living your life. This can push you to seek new challenges and experiences. It can drive you to break out of your routine, learn new skills, or improve your current situation in other ways. You can channel the restlessness that comes with boredom into positive actions that enrich your life.
Is boredom a positive emotion?
Boredom itself is not typically viewed as a positive emotion, but it can have positive effects. It can give us an important emotional signal that something in our environment or activities needs to change. When used as a prompt to explore, create, or reflect, boredom can lead to exciting, fulfilling opportunities and personal growth. While it’s not always pleasant, boredom can be a useful part of emotional life.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
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