The Lost Art of Being Bored: Why Doing Nothing Might Be Good for You

We live in a world where boredom barely exists. Waiting for the bus? Check your phone. Stuck in a queue? Scroll social media. Even when we relax, we multitask. The idea of doing nothing feels outdated, even wasteful.

Yet psychologists say boredom might be one of the most useful emotions we have. Far from being a problem to solve, it could be the quiet space where creativity, reflection and calm begin. In an age of constant stimulation, rediscovering boredom might just be the healthiest thing we can do.

What Is Boredom and Why Do We Avoid It?

Boredom is more than just a lack of things to do. It is the state of wanting engagement but not finding it. The mind itches for stimulation, and when none appears, we instinctively reach for a distraction.

Inside the brain, something interesting happens when we are bored. A region called the default mode network activates. It lights up when our attention drifts away from tasks, helping us process experiences, imagine possibilities, and plan ahead.

The problem is that we rarely give it a chance. Modern technology offers instant relief from even a second of stillness. We are trained to avoid boredom at all costs, and as a result, we lose out on what it can offer.

The Psychology Behind Boredom

Research shows that boredom can be surprisingly good for us. Psychologist Dr Sandi Mann, author of The Upside of Downtime, found that when people are bored, their minds begin to wander in useful ways. In one study, volunteers who copied numbers from a phone book later performed better on creative tasks than those who had stayed busy.

When we are bored, the brain is not resting. It is rearranging information, connecting ideas, and finding patterns. Many creative breakthroughs occur not during work, but during idle moments, such as in the shower, on a walk, or while waiting in traffic.

There is a difference between helpful and harmful boredom. “Productive boredom” is reflective and calm, giving the mind space to breathe. “Unproductive boredom” is restless and irritable, the kind that comes from feeling trapped or overstimulated. The trick is to recognise the difference and lean into the first type when it appears.

How Technology Eliminated Boredom

Once upon a time, boredom was part of daily life. People daydreamed on trains, looked out of windows, and let their thoughts drift. Now, we fill every spare moment with screens.

Our devices give constant micro-stimulation: news alerts, messages, videos, and games. Each one triggers a small release of dopamine, the brain’s pleasure chemical, keeping us hooked in a cycle of endless novelty. Studies show the average person checks their phone more than 140 times a day.

This constant engagement comes at a cost. By erasing boredom, we have reduced our capacity for focus and patience. Deep work, long reading, and sustained thought have become harder. We crave stimulation even when it leaves us drained.

As Dr Mann puts it, “We are never truly alone with our thoughts anymore, and that might be one of the reasons creativity is suffering.”

Why Doing Nothing Is Good for You

Doing nothing might sound lazy, but it is one of the best ways to reset the mind. When you pause and allow your brain to idle, it begins to process information, consolidate memories, and make new connections.

Psychologists link this mental downtime to higher creativity, better mood regulation, and even greater problem-solving ability. It also helps lower stress by breaking the cycle of constant alertness that technology encourages.

Mindfulness and meditation work in much the same way. Both create intentional moments of quiet, helping people refocus and manage their emotions. In essence, they are structured ways of being bored on purpose, and they are good for you.

For children, boredom plays an even more important role. Psychologists say that when kids are not entertained every minute, they learn imagination and resourcefulness. It is through boredom that creativity and independence take root.

How to Reintroduce Boredom Into Everyday Life

You do not have to move to the countryside or throw away your phone to bring boredom back into your life. A few small shifts can make a big difference.

1. Schedule unstructured time. Give yourself short breaks where nothing is planned. No scrolling, no background music, no multitasking.

2. Take device-free walks. Leave your headphones behind and notice what your mind drifts to. Some of your best ideas may appear when you are not looking for them.

3. Practise monotasking. Focus on one activity at a time, such as cooking or cleaning, without adding other distractions.

4. Embrace silence. Let quiet moments exist without trying to fill them. This is where thought deepens and stress begins to fade.

5. Redefine productivity. Rest and reflection are not wasted time; they are fuel for the next burst of focus.

Small acts of stillness can restore a sense of balance and creativity that constant activity cannot.

The Cultural Shift: From Productivity to Presence

Our culture often glorifies busyness. We measure success by how full our calendars look and how quickly we reply to messages. But the pandemic years, burnout, and growing interest in “slow living” have begun to change that.

People are rediscovering that life does not have to be lived at full speed to be fulfilling. Intentional boredom, or choosing to disconnect for a while, has become a quiet form of resistance.

Philosophers and psychologists alike now argue that doing nothing can be a radical act of presence. It allows people to reclaim their attention, live more deliberately, and focus on what truly matters.

In short, boredom has become a luxury again: a rare space where time slows down enough for life to make sense.

The Power of Doing Nothing

Boredom may not feel comfortable, but it is deeply necessary. It gives the mind time to reset, to create, and to simply be.

In a world that demands constant productivity, rediscovering boredom might be the most productive thing of all.

So the next time you find yourself with nothing to do, resist the urge to reach for your phone. Sit with it. Let your thoughts wander. You might be surprised by where they lead.