After a long day at work, a bit of boredom might be just what you need
When French author Jules Renard said, “To be bored is an insult to oneself,” he may have been on to something. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “bored” as, “feeling weary and impatient because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one’s current activity.” But, more often than might be thought, boredom can be a choice, not an unavoidable phenomenon. Many great thinkers throughout the ages have mercilessly disparaged those who are content to sit back and let their minds fester, failing to see the world for what it is. It’s an exciting place filled with interesting things almost designed to keep us occupied. But what would they say if they were alive today? Would they approve of our hectic lifestyles and the intricate balancing act that most of us have to perform as we schedule our lives?Deciding how to divide our time between work, school, friends, relationships, exercise, eating, and family is no easy task, and leaves many with barely a minute to spare. Perhaps Renard would now say that a bit of boredom could actually do us some good.
According to The Independent, many different studies have concluded that boredom not only makes us more productive, but also more goal-oriented and creative. It seems to make sense, in an intuitive way, that if we chronically overuse our minds and bodies we will eventually wear them out, much like a knife.
We all feel better after a good night’s rest, but is that enough? Can we realistically expect to stay on-the-go all day, every day, and remain healthy and productive at the same time? It seems unlikely; according to Inc., a media hub for small businesses, numerous studies have found that working too hard is linked with:
- Increased risk of heart problems
- Weight gain in men
- Depression in women
- Significant drop in productivity
If we acknowledge the connection between the mind and the body, these findings suggest that boredom, or even just some good old-fashioned relaxation, is needed in order to help counterbalance a hectic lifestyle. This may help us be better able to meet the demands of modern life without our health suffering.
But this is easier said than done. As anyone on a university campus will tell you, finding an hour (or even a few minutes) to relax is sometimes very difficult.In today’s world, we have never been more rushed or busy. Our minds are constantly occupied and called upon to stay engaged. However, there is an important part of this issue that has been overlooked: technology.
Technology is everywhere and we are constantly using it. Be it a phone, iPod, or computer, we spend massive amounts of time plugged-in. The problem with this is that it doesn’t allow us to relax. Our minds are just as engaged whether we are texting a friend or perusing a textbook.
We have already established that overworking is generally unhealthy and that boredom may be quite beneficial. It is also reasonable to conclude that if we remove the texting on the bus, or the Snapchatting during lectures, or the Netflix before bed (even occasionally), that these moments can become opportunities for our minds to experience the boredom it needs and zone out into contemplative nothingness.
Without this time, our minds are never allowed to relax, even just for a few minutes. If we don’t learn to recognize that our minds do need to rest, and that they don’t have immeasurable amounts of stamina, we will surely suffer the consequences.
Photo courtesy of Joshua Rawson Harris via CC0