No matter how jam-packed our lives are, we all experience bouts of boredom from time to time. The last few years, with intermittent periods of social distancing and shutdown have meant boredom has become more prevalent and common for many of us. Adults, children, teenagers, the elderly: everyone has been a little more vulnerable to it during the pandemic and its aftermath. All of us have had our usual activities curtailed in one way or another. And let’s face it, there are things that have simply not gotten back to “normal”, whatever that is.

Believe it or not, even those who work in demanding fields like emergency medicine may be more prone to boredom than usual these days, because too many complex situations and stress can actually result in boredom, too. Strange.

What is Boredom?

The prevalence of boredom in during the COVID-19 era heightened interest in its study, and in particular, in speculation about whether this “other epidemic” may have a positive or negative impact on our world in the long run. I decided to read up a bit on what behavioral scientists out there are learning.

The Research

It turns out that researchers have a range of conflicting findings and opinions. Some are concluding that boredom is a healthy mindset that encourages creativity and even exacerbates breakthroughs in technology and new inventions and business processes. Others believe we should do what we can to avoid boredom because idle hands are in fact the “devil’s workshop”. In fact, some have concluded that boredom leads to increased acts of aggression, sadism, hostility, and violence.

There is evidence to support this entire range of beliefs. How can boredom have such a wide range of potential impacts and outcomes? We need to dig deeper into the science to understand.

Defining Boredom

We all know what boredom feels like yet there is not one consistent definition of the term in science.

Some describe it as “a lack of fulfilling activity at a time when we crave fulfillment”.

But there are many facets to this dull mindset that defy such a simple description.

Part of the complexity arises because a bored mental state may present in a variety of conflicting behaviors. Sometimes when we’re bored all we want to do is sleep; we look and feel tired and fatigued. Other times, we experience boredom as nervous energy. We pace the floor, become anxious, stressed, and restless.

The Complexity of Boredom

There is one school of thought that says feeling bored is an indication that something in our lives needs to change, that we are unfulfilled or in need of a cause.  This seems spot on for situations where we become bored doing a repetitive task. Or when our work or relationships don’t give us the level of mental challenge we need to thrive. But boredom happens in many other situations, too.

Types of Boredom

In fact, there are five different types of boredom that may be prompted in different situations and under different circumstances.

• “Indifferent boredom” is a relaxed state. Nothing is stimulating deep thought or stressing us; But nothing is intriguing us, either. We just don’t find anything interesting.
• “Calibrating boredom” describes when we’re bored, but don’t want to be. We want to fill our time, but don’t know what to do. We’re still pretty okay with it, though; we don’t try too hard to figure it out.
• “Reactant boredom” refers to when we are bored and also unable to do anything about it. For example, having to sit through an interminable speech, or being stuck on an airplane, unable to move from our seat, with no source of entertainment at the ready.
• “Apathetic boredom” is being bored and not having any true feelings about it or anything else, for that matter. This is a form of boredom that may be experienced as a component of depression.
• When we are driven to fill the void created by our ennui, our boredom state of mind morphs into what is known as “searching boredom”. We’re sick of ‘having nothing to do’ and we’re actively looking for things to occupy us.

The State of Boredom

Speaking of the “state of boredom”, there is one other key differentiator to consider when we’re talking about how different people experience boredom.

All of us go through periods of time when we experience the “state of boredom“.  The state of boredom can present as any of the varied types of boredom described above.

The Trait of Boredom

However, some of us are naturally more prone to enter that state of boredom. Those who exhibit this tendency carry what is known as the “trait of boredom“. Meaning, they, themselves, are more likely to be bored than other people, in the same circumstances. These people are also more prone to negative outcomes of boredom, such as risk taking, gambling, accidents, and substance or alcohol abuse. So experiencing boredom may carry a higher risk for those who carry and express the ‘trait of boredom’ compared to the risk it poses for those who less frequently enter the ‘state of boredom’.

Causes

The root cause of trait boredom is not known for sure. Some attribute it to a lack of understanding of one’s wants and needs, which may arise as a result of trauma. The trauma may have occurred in childhood; or it may be as a result of particularly upsetting or difficult experience or relationship in our adult lives. Trait boredom may present in combination with anxiety or procrastination. Those who are boredom-prone may also be bored more often because they have a natural dopamine deficiency, which makes it more difficult for them to enjoy and engage with their surroundings. Certain forms of brain damage may also make people more boredom-prone.

Can We Be Bored and Happy?

The state of mind known as “flow” (how we feel when we are happy, content, engaged and lose track of time) often results when we engage in tasks and activities that give us the right level of challenge. That is, what we’re doing is neither too easy or too hard.  Many times, when we become bored, it’s because our tasks and activities don’t fit in that sweet spot that keeps our minds engaged without overtaxing us.

Given this, it seems like it might be difficult to be bored and happy at the same time. Basic observation that provides at least one reason why boredom may not be a desirable state of mind!

When Is Boredom Good for Us?

On the other hand, boredom can lead us to think new thoughts, discover new insights, or dream of innovations and create solutions.

This only happens, however, if we can refrain from acting too quickly to address our boredom without experiencing negative outcomes.

Today, this can be quite hard to do.

We have so many ways to alleviate boredom at our fingertips! Electronic devices, television, music, social media of all kinds. It’s all just sitting there, available.

It takes discipline and a healthy ability to sit with boredom to allow ourselves to wade into and beyond it, to that positive side; the side that is more likely to result in positive vs. negative outcomes. 

Some of us are less equipped to navigate that path to the positive energy – we have a greater need to be occupied and stimulated to feel content. 

How To Cope with Boredom

We can all benefit from training ourselves to cope with the dreaded ennui when it arises. Ironically, the way to get through it often involves truly focusing on it, and the source of it.

• If we’re reading a book that is boring, we may begin to feel better if we ask ourselves why. What would make it fascinating? An internet search may lead us to something about the subject that is more interesting.
• When we’re stuck in a situation we can’t escape, we may feel better by tapping into our powers of observation. What color are the walls and the carpet? Do the people around us look friendly or distant? Is there an interesting wardrobe choice among the crowd? How about unique facial expressions or different languages being spoken?
• When bored, fill the time thinking about important things. Do you have a dream or goal that you are working toward? Imagine yourself achieving it. Get really detailed in your imaginings: What is the expression on your face? How do you feel? What is happening around you? Ask yourself: how can I take a decisive step towards that aspiration, right now?
• As a last resort – we can ask ourselves: what type of boredom am I experiencing? How often have I been bored lately? Am I more prone to it than most people? How can I change things up to keep me more engaged in the task at hand?

A Call to Action

Let’s do what we can to help each other stay focused and engaged. Being interested in things around us is often the first step.

Hopefully, with a little positive energy and self-nurturing, we can turn that cursed boredom into a blessing, and come out the other side more positive and energized than ever!

Want to read more like this? Check out Empty Nesting.

Thank you as always for reading.