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Reasons for boredom
Recent studies show that a feeling of boredom leads to increased creativity and better mental health. For example, researching from 2014, published by the Creativity Research Journal, discovers that most people experience growth of creativity directly after performing a tedious task. Another study, published in the same year by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, shows that "bored" people are experiencing a growth of "associative thinking"-the process of creating new relationships between individual ideas. The results of these studies are impressive, but ultimately perhaps the greatest benefit of boredom is related to the fact that it gives you the opportunity to clear your mind and to daydream.
The truth about boredom
The truth is that boredom in its purest form is not very pleasant. A study published by Science found that many people prefer to be hit with electroshock than to stand in one place and contemplate silence for 6 to 15 minutes. Whole 67% of the men who took part in the experiment chose the stun gun before the silence, while in women the percentage was significantly lower – 25%. Another study by Washington State University discovers that more and more adolescent girls complain of boredom. This tendency is problematic since boredom in the early years often leads to a number of negative consequences, among which the use of alcohol and drugs.
It is hard to imagine that in the modern world, which is filled with a variety of physical and psychic stimulation, one can experience real boredom. However, there are completely real reasons why boredom makes us feel bad. In fact, it may be a signal that some of our needs are not satisfied.
Boredom can be a sign that you need more links
The constantly connected world of social networks may at first glance lead to the creation of more contacts, but for the most part, they are superficial and insignificant. In addition, social networks often hinder the creation of genuine and meaningful relationships with others. The feeling of boredom can be a sign that you need to be part of a community to find a place where you fit in. So take the time to join a club or an organization where you can meet like-minded people and build new friendships.
Boredom can be a sign that you need a cause
Like the need for belonging, bored people often share that their lives lack a sense of meaning. Most people want to be part of something bigger than themselves. A study by the University of Mississippi from 2007 found that when people are bored, they are more likely to find no meaning in their lives. On the other hand, a study from 2016 to the University of Southampton discovers that people who volunteer for some cause are happier, experience less boredom, and more often say they find meaning in their lives.
Boredom can be a sign that you need more challenges
People have different needs for external stimulation and adrenaline rush, but in general, boredom can be a signal that you are in a stand and that you need new challenges. Ultimately, happiness is about developing new skills and acquiring new knowledge, and viewing Facebook posts rarely allows for such activities. For this, it is important to look for new experiences, to spend more time on your hobbies, and to work on different and challenging tasks in the work.
Boredom can be a sign of a need for more depth
In his book "In The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing to Our Brains", the journalist Nicholas Carr gives serious arguments about the proposition that our brains are programmed in such a way that they focus on the superficial aspects of things and rarely go deeper. However, the ability to analyze things more deeply is a sign of high empathy, affection, and happiness. Find a project where you can get lost out of curiosity or take time to solve a complex and laborious problem. Tasks that require in-depth thinking act as an antidote to boredom.
If your definition of boredom is around you to be calm and quiet, then continue in this spirit, because this type of boredom can be useful. However, if you are struggling with the negative boredom and the sense of emptiness that stems from it, look for new challenges, relationships, meaningful activities, and in-depth analyses. These are the things that will save you from boredom and will brighten your day.