According to Dr. Sandi Mann, author of "The Science of Boredom" a little boredom is not bad. "When we are bored our brain is looking for a nervous stimulus," he explains. "And this search for nervousness leads to the frustration and dissatisfaction we characterize as boredom."
"Research shows that boredom is to some extent desirable - there are proven benefits, but the most important is probably creativity - when we are bored we increase our creativity."
In fact, one of the problems we face today in a society with a wealth of entertainment options is that we often do not get bored. "People do not feel bored enough in their lives. We are constantly trying to banish boredom. This can actually lead to more boredom in the long run, because our tolerance for boredom decreases," explains Mann.
What happens when we feel too bored?
Of course, excessive boredom can also prove to be negative. "You can get so bored that you almost fall into hypnotic ecstasy - for example, if you watch TV for long hours," explains therapist Sally Baker. "In this state, your breathing becomes thinner and it becomes impossible to concentrate and stay focused on something. At times like this, people tend to overeat because they are not focused somewhere."
In some people, boredom can worsen negative thinking patterns. "In a time of widespread boredom, people tend to think too much," says Baker. "People who tend to over-analyze, think destructive thoughts or get stuck in a particular thought - prolonged boredom can lead to vicious cycles of thought. Negative thoughts act as a seed - if you pay more attention to them, they will grow and they will grow up ".
"Break" the state of boredom
If you realize that you have seen an entire season of a TV show without getting up from the couch or scrolling through social media non-stop, it is important to "break" this habit.
"If you are in such a 'numb' state, you have to break the chain of bad thoughts. You have to come to the present. When you realize that you are lost in your thoughts, try to make a noise - hit the table a little, for example," he says. Baker.
If you realize that you are in "flight mode" or that you are not in the present, you can break this situation by making a change or move. "When you are in this situation you lose the ability to access your inner resources, your ideas and your imagination," Baker explains. "Go outside, open the window, stop sitting where you are - this will help you get out of boredom."
Physical effects
Boredom can also affect our physical health, due to lack of physical activity and lack of attention to our eating habits. So, if you spend too much time feeling bored and scrolling on the screen of your mobile, it is possible that your physical condition will decline. Getting involved in physical activity - whether it's on YouTube or a walk in the park - will reduce boredom and improve your fitness.
The good news is that those who live a busy life accustomed to the unstoppable nature of everyday life can benefit from a little more time in "flight mode". "Only when we go through extended periods of boredom do we become inactive and waste our time on useless things."