James Danckert, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Waterloo, tells Bored Panda that when we get bored, the default mode network in our brain is activated, and the insula is downregulated.
"What this all means is that the bored brain is a disengaged brain. In our bodies, we get restless and agitated when we’re bored."
Danckert is an expert on the psychology of boredom. He leads the Danckert Lab at the University of Waterloo, where, together with his team, he works to understand the mechanisms and brain states that give rise to boredom and boredom proneness.
Franki Bagdade, M.Ed., LMSW, special educator and mental health professional, also knows a thing or two about boredom since she works with neurodiverse people, for whom boredom can become quite a challenge.
"Boredom can feel very similar to sadness or a general 'down' feeling. Sometimes my clients characterize it as feeling 'meh.' Therefore, it can be scary, and we may automatically strive to avoid it," she says.
However, giving in to boredom isn't always so bad, as some research suggests that it can help boost creativity. We sure get inventive when there's nothing to do and our brain desperately begs us for stimulation, don't we?
"There’s really no point in resisting boredom—it’s going to happen from time to time so it’s better to just learn to respond well to it, to find good outlets for action when you’re bored," notes Danckert.
Bagdade tells us that she likes to build up her tolerance to boredom by challenging herself. "Boredom can be challenging to sit with, especially if you have ADHD or are neurodivergent in any way. I like to build up my tolerance to boredom by challenging myself to do one thing at a time instead of my preferred multitasking norm."
However, too much of anything tends to be bad, and the same goes for boredom. "Those who experience chronic boredom have higher levels of depression and anxiety, struggle more with drug and alcohol use, tend to be lonely and exhibit problematic smartphone use (a kind of dependence on your phone and social media), among other things. In general, boredom proneness is not a good thing," explains Danckert.
"Sometimes, when we allow ourselves to slow down, our thoughts can become loud and overwhelming," Bagdade adds.
"The worries and struggles we have tried to push down deep will resurface and demand to be processed. Though this certainly isn't always a pleasant experience, it is often healthier in the long run to feel those feelings. Don't forget that you don't have to do it alone. It is always ok to reach out for help," she reassuringly says.
