Our brains are constantly stimulated.
The minute we feel bored, we can distract ourselves with countless activities such as social media, a new series or online shopping. However, boredom is critical to our mental health, creativity and curiosity. When we are bored, we develop an inward focus rather than outward focus.
Here are 3 reasons why:
Boredom improves our mental health. Every time our brain gets stimulated, it releases a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is the feel good hormone. Too much stimulation and we can become insensitive to the hormone, resulting in low moods and even depression. Boredom reduces brain stimulation, leading to improved mental health.
Boredom makes you more creative. When you are bored, your brain gets a break. You tend to have more clarity to think through new ideas because boredom creates a space for you to think. Allowing our mind to wonder can lead to new ideas and more creative solutions. No wonder we have our best ideas in the shower.
Boredom improves your productivity and focus. When we are bored, we remove all distractions and create space for our brain to think and not be interrupted. Focus is critical when working on a new project or idea as it improves our productivity and increases the likelihood of successfully completing the project. Therefore, boredom is critical if we want to improve our focus and productivity.