Boredom is often seen as a bad thing. Well, here’s some good news for you—being bored can be really beneficial to your mental and physical health. So, instead of doing everything you can to avoid it, here’s why you should actually embrace it.
1. It allows you to recharge
Life can get hectic most of the time. No matter what your circumstances are, you could probably use a break. Well, being bored might be the break that you need. Instead of thinking that you always have to be productive, take a step back and simply do nothing. While you might think you’re not being productive, you actually are. You’re letting your brain switch off, and this can greatly improve your mental well-being.
2. It opens up new ideas
One of the best things that emerges from boredom is creativity. It’s so easy to lose your sense of creativity during everyday life. You get so distracted with monotonous routines like going to work, doing chores, and running errands, that it’s hard to find time to come up with new ideas. Being bored doesn’t have to be wasted time since this quiet period could spark new ideas.
3. It could solve a problem
Have a problem that you’ve spent several days or weeks worrying about? Perhaps one of the best ways to fix it is to not—if stressing yourself out doesn’t seem to be working, try emptying your mind. Find a quiet spot and think about nothing. Just stare into space. Once you’ve cleared your mind and stopped worrying, you might find that a solution to your problem presents itself.
4. It strengthens your relationship with yourself
Shutterstock
Being bored and being alone doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re lonely. It can actually be the opposite. Spending more time by yourself and being lost in your own thoughts, can improve the way you see yourself. You might start to realize that you quite like being in your own company, which is a pretty great discovery.
5. It helps you to de-stress
There’s no denying that life is stressful. There are so many things that you have to juggle—work, errands, chores, relationships, friendships, the list goes on and on. If it feels like everything is getting too much for you and you feel stressed and burnt out, try zoning out and being bored for a change. Boredom isn’t a useless emotion, it can help you feel more human!
6. It provides an escape
Why do people read? Most of the time it’s a form of escapism. When you’ve got your head in a good book, your worries and thoughts just melt away. Well, when you do nothing and think about nothing, it lets your mind wander, too. You might start to daydream, which is a nice way to escape from everyday life for a little while.
7. It makes you appreciative
If you’re always busy and on the go, you might not get the chance to stop and enjoy the moment. These quiet moments when you feel bored are actually a silver lining—they make you appreciate those fun and lively moments even more. After all, life is all about balance. Slow down and rest.
8. You might discover a new hobby
When you’ve got absolutely nothing to do, it might make you think about the things that you wish you could do. Maybe there’s a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try but you never felt like you had the time or the opportunity to start. Well, now there are no more excuses. Boredom can open the door to new things that you would have never discovered otherwise.
9. It strengthens your relationship with others
Shutterstock
Who would have thought that being bored could lead to better relationships? Well, it can. Think about it. If you’re always rushing around and doing things, it doesn’t allow you to slow down and appreciate the people around you. In fact, you might even begin to neglect some of your closest relationships simply because you’re too busy. But it’s OK to slow down, and the people closest to you will appreciate spending more time in your company. Maybe you can simply be bored together.
10. It gives your body a break
The reason why the word “boredom” is often paired with the word “lazy” is because you usually sit down or lay down when you’re bored and have nothing to do. But why is that such a bad thing? Sometimes, this is exactly what your body needs. Letting yourself be bored encourages you to rest your body, which can prevent aches and pains and leave you feeling much happier, too.
11. You might discover new things about yourself
Being bored gives you the chance to reflect on yourself and your life, which can make you see yourself in a different light. You start to realize what you enjoy and what makes you tick, which helps you to understand yourself more clearly. When you understand yourself, you start to accept and love yourself, too.
12. It prevents stress symptoms
Stress can cause headaches, fatigue, sore eyes, and trouble sleeping. In addition to making you sick, it’s also a big productivity killer. In comparison, allowing yourself to be bored decreases those stress symptoms and boosts your productivity. After all, a well-rested mind is a healthy mind.
13. It takes you away from screens
Most of us spend way too much time scrolling mindlessly on our phones or watching TV. Doing this zaps our creativity—by allowing the screens to think for us, we almost become robots. Meanwhile, switching off the screens and choosing boredom will help you regain that creative spark, which might encourage you to start new projects and discover hidden talents.
14. It can lead to bigger and better things
Life can become predictable and you might start to feel bored with your life. But here’s a tip—let yourself be bored. Once in a while, do nothing. Some very successful people get their best ideas when they’re bored. By letting your mind wander, you’re challenging yourself to think differently. If you’re tired of your current lifestyle and career, this could be what you need to break out of your everyday routine. You might find your dream career, who knows?
15. It makes you reflect on your life
There’s nothing like boredom to provide some clarity. Life can be so loud sometimes, so taking a breather out of your day to do nothing can make you think about the decisions you’ve made and what the future holds. It might make you stop and ask yourself big questions like, “What do I want for myself?” This can open the door to opportunities, like a change in career or a new relationship.
16. Want A Partner? Attract Love With The Power Of Your Mind.
Our sister site, Sweetn, is a new research-based startup that shows you how to call love into your life with the power of your mind. Take their quiz, and try their tools—they can transform your energy and your love life in a few weeks. Just click here.
