What if we told you boredom can be good for you? Read on!
Boredom, a state when you are unable to find anything that interests you and everything seems dull. It is a feeling that is far from desirable but a recent study states the opposite. According to several pieces of research, boredom can be good for you and even has numerous benefits. Surprising isn't it?
In this article...
- Boredom leads to creativity
- Find new hobbies
- Self-reflection
- Prosocial behaviour
So let's get to know these benefits as they will help you to cultivate a new perspective towards this negative emotion, get insight on how you can embrace it and use it for your development and growth.
Boredom sparks creativity
If you are waiting for a eureka moment, try to get bored first. That is what the study published in the Academy of Management Discoveries has found. Boredom can lead to creativity and productivity. In the study, children who had gone through a boredom-inducing task, sorting a bowl of beans by colour, one by one, later performed better on an idea-generating task than peers who first completed an interesting craft activity. Creativity arises when the person is bored with the way something is being done and wants to try something new.
Discovery of new hobbies
Boredom is usually the result of doing the same old things again and again, so why not try to do a new activity instead? By doing this, your brain will be stimulated, you will enjoy your time and learn new things. So, when you are bored next time, instead of mindlessly surfing social media, try to engage in new hobbies and interests and make the most of your time by letting yourself be bored.
Mindfulness
Often, we are busy living in the past and future and forget about the present moment. In this case, boredom works as a tool for making us aware of the present moment. While we are getting used to living a mindless life, it helps us to cultivate mindfulness in our life. Doing nothing and being there in the moment is what mindfulness is all about and it has many benefits such as improved sleep and emotional stability. So, simply doing nothing has its benefits too!
Boredom can lead to prosocial behaviour
Boredom can make people opt for activities such as donating to charity, signing for a blood donation camp which they perceive to be different yet purposeful at the same time. This happens because people who are bored feel they lack meaning in their lives and participating in prosocial behaviour helps them in re-establishing the meaning of their lives.
Self-reflection
With an otherwise busy life, you often lack time to engage in self-reflection. However, being bored turns your mind inwards and encourages self-reflection. When you are rushing throughout your day, there is no time to think. But when you are bored, there’s nothing else to do but think. Self-reflection allows you to reflect over your current life circumstances which in turn helps in your growth and development.
So, next time you feel bored, think about various ways you can spend your time!
(Divyanshi Sharma is a freelance writer with Children's Community Foundation)
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