Boredom isn’t a bug—it’s a feature. Harvard professor Arthur Brooks explains why boredom unlocks creativity, activates a powerful brain network, and might even protect you from depression. Learn how the mind wanders—and why that’s a very good thing.
Understanding Boredom and its Importance
- Boredom is not merely an absence of activity; it triggers the brain's default mode network (DMN). The DMN activates when your mind is not otherwise occupied, allowing for deeper thought.
- While often perceived as uncomfortable, this DMN activation prompts reflection on existential questions, such as the meaning of life, which is described as "incredibly important, incredibly good".
- Many people actively dislike boredom, to the extent that some participants in an experiment chose to administer painful electric shocks rather than sit in silence for 15 minutes.
- Modern society has significantly reduced opportunities for boredom, primarily through the constant use of mobile devices, which effectively "shut off" the default mode network.
- The continuous avoidance of boredom creates a "doom loop of meaning," making it harder for individuals to find purpose in their lives and contributing to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and a sense of hollowness.
- Embracing boredom can lead to more interesting ideas and enhance your "skill of boredom," making you feel less bored with routine aspects of life like your job or relationships.
- Crucially, allowing for boredom helps you delve into profound life questions concerning purpose, meaning, coherence, and significance, potentially leading to greater happiness.
Practical Steps to Embrace Boredom
- Actively seek out periods of boredom, starting with segments of 15 minutes or longer. The video explicitly advises: "You need to be bored. Be bored more".
- When exercising, avoid taking your phone or listening to podcasts; instead, allow yourself to simply "be in your head".
- During commutes, refrain from using devices or even listening to the radio, creating opportunities for unguided thought.
- Implement a "no device policy" after a specific time in the evening, for instance, after 7:00 PM.
- Ensure your phone is not in your bedroom, thereby establishing a "no phone in bed" rule.
- During meals with family or friends, keep devices away to foster present interaction and connection.
- Engage in regular "social media and screen cleanses" or fasts, taking extended breaks from your devices to reset.
- Recognise that your life does not need to constantly revolve around digital devices. Most digital notifications, such as social media updates or news, are not emergencies and can wait.
- If concerns about emergencies arise, configure your phone to allow calls only from one or two designated emergency contacts, rather than using potential emergencies as an excuse to avoid boredom.