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

16 October 2025

Paul Francis

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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 The idea of doing nothing feels outdated, even wasteful.

Woman in a leather jacket rests her head on a table, looking tired. Background features vibrant blue and yellow patterns. Laptop nearby.

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.

Person in a blue denim shirt holds a smartphone against a plain white wall. Focus on hand and phone, suggesting communication or browsing.

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.

Current Most Read

The Sizzling Saga of Burger King and Hungry Jack’s: A Tale of Whoppers, Trademarks, and Triumph Down Under

Connor Banks
Aug 22, 2024
3 min read

As the UK celebrates National Burger Day, it's the perfect time to sink our teeth into one of the most intriguing stories in the fast-food world—a saga that blends business rivalry, legal drama, and a dash of Aussie ingenuity. This is the story of how Burger King, the iconic American fast-food giant, was forced to reinvent itself in Australia under the now-beloved name: Hungry Jack’s.

The Early Days: When Whoppers Went Down Under

In the early 1970s, Burger King had its sights set on global expansion, eager to bring its flame-grilled Whoppers to new shores. Australia, with its rapidly growing fast-food market, was a prime target. The plan seemed straightforward—open a series of Burger King restaurants and replicate the success seen across the United States. But as the company was about to find out, the land down under had a few surprises in store.

Upon attempting to register the "Burger King" trademark in Australia, the corporation encountered an unexpected hurdle. The name "Burger King" had already been trademarked by a small takeaway shop in Adelaide, South Australia. This seemingly minor roadblock would set the stage for one of the most fascinating branding stories in fast-food history.

The Birth of Hungry Jack’s

Enter Jack Cowin, a Canadian-born entrepreneur who had recently moved to Australia. Cowin held the franchise rights for Burger King in Australia and was keen to get the business off the ground. With the "Burger King" name off-limits, Cowin and the Burger King Corporation had to think fast. They landed on "Hungry Jack’s," a name inspired by Cowin himself and a pancake mix called "Hungry Jack" that was owned by Pillsbury, Burger King’s parent company at the time.

And so, in 1971, the first Hungry Jack’s restaurant opened its doors in the Perth suburb of Innaloo, Western Australia. The brand quickly became a hit with Aussies, offering the same flame-grilled burgers, fries, and shakes that had made Burger King a household name in America. But while the food was familiar, the name "Hungry Jack’s" soon took on a life of its own, becoming synonymous with quality burgers across Australia.

The Trademark Tangle and a Battle of the Brands

For years, the trademark dispute between Burger King and the small Adelaide shop simmered quietly. But in the 1990s, the original "Burger King" trademark lapsed, and the Burger King Corporation saw its chance to finally bring its brand name to Australia. They began opening Burger King-branded restaurants in areas where Hungry Jack’s had not yet expanded, hoping to establish a presence under their original moniker.

This move sparked a fierce rivalry. Jack Cowin, who had built Hungry Jack’s into a thriving national chain, felt betrayed. He believed Burger King’s actions violated their franchise agreement and were an attempt to muscle him out of the market. The tension escalated into a full-blown legal battle that would eventually reshape the fast-food landscape in Australia.

The Legal Showdown and Victory for Hungry Jack’s

In the early 2000s, Hungry Jack’s took Burger King Corporation to court, accusing them of breaching their contract. The case became a high-profile showdown, with both sides determined to win. In 2001, the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled in favour of Hungry Jack’s, awarding significant damages to the company and effectively barring Burger King from opening new Burger King-branded restaurants in Australia.

The ruling was a major victory for Jack Cowin and Hungry Jack’s. Not only did it affirm Cowin’s right to operate without interference, but it also led to a remarkable turn of events—Burger King Corporation decided to withdraw from the Australian market entirely. In 2002, they sold their Australian operations to Hungry Jack’s, which promptly rebranded all existing Burger King outlets under its own name.

A Whopper of a Legacy

Today, Hungry Jack’s stands as one of Australia’s most beloved fast-food chains, with over 400 locations across the country. While the brand remains closely aligned with Burger King in terms of menu and offerings, the name "Hungry Jack’s" has become an iconic part of Australia’s culinary landscape.

As we celebrate National Burger Day here in the UK, the story of Burger King and Hungry Jack’s reminds us that the world of fast food is not just about tasty burgers and fries—it’s also about the power of branding, the complexities of global expansion, and the indomitable spirit of those who refuse to back down in the face of adversity.

So, as you enjoy your next Whopper, spare a thought for the fascinating journey it took to get from the grill to your plate, especially if you ever find yourself Down Under, where a Whopper by any other name is still just as sweet (and savoury).