Sometimes people find themselves feeling bored and even staring off into space, not knowing what to do. According to experts, boredom is a common experience, and occasionally experiencing it may actually be beneficial for brain health.
Researchers Michelle Kennedy and Professor Daniel Hermens from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia discussed the topic of boredom in an article on The Conversation website.
Boredom is often defined as having difficulty maintaining attention or interest in current activities and is typically seen as a state that people should try to avoid or prevent themselves from experiencing.
But what if we consider boredom as a positive state? Would embracing boredom have benefits? In addressing these questions, the researchers first discussed how the brain responds to boredom.
They explained that the brain operates as a network of interconnected areas that work together to support various functions. They compared it to a city where different regions (brain areas) are connected by roads (neural pathways), and all areas must work together for effective message transmission.
When we feel bored, such as during an unengaging movie, specific brain networks are activated.
The attention network prioritizes relevant external stimuli while filtering out distractions, and it is active when we start watching the movie.
However, as attention decreases, the activity of the attention network also diminishes, reflecting our decreasing ability to stay focused on uninteresting content. Similarly, as we struggle to continue watching an unengaging movie, the activity of the executive control network decreases.
At the same time, the default mode network activates, shifting our attention to internal thoughts and self-reflection. This is a core function of the network known as introspection, which suggests a strategy for dealing with boredom.
At this point, the amygdala, responsible for processing emotional signals like an internal alarm system, handles negative emotions, while the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in the frontal region of the brain prompts us to seek out other stimulating activities.
The researchers pointed out that in our overstimulated world, a moderate amount of boredom is a necessary balancing force. It can provide unique benefits for our neurological system and mental health. This is in contrast to prolonged boredom, which can increase default mode network activity and lead to depression.
Allowing oneself to occasionally feel bored may have several benefits:
– Improving creativity and facilitating fluid thinking.
– Cultivating independent thinking and seeking alternative interests rather than relying on constant external stimuli.
– Supporting self-esteem and emotional regulation, as experiencing occasional boredom can help us pause and feel, which is important for anxiety control.
– Encouraging people to temporarily avoid electronic devices.
– Rebalancing the nervous system and reducing sensory input to help alleviate anxiety.
The researchers concluded that anxiety issues are on the rise globally, especially among young people. This trend is caused by many factors. We often find ourselves constantly striving to ensure every moment is well-organized and productive. However, this may deprive our brains and bodies of the rest time needed to “reboot” and recharge.
We need to embrace pauses. This is a space where creativity can flourish, emotions can be regulated, and the nervous system can reset.