Teenage girl (13-15) sitting on sofa's edge, leaning on hand, portrait / James Woodson Getty Images


As digital technologies have enabled constant engagement, it can seem like we as a society have entered a battle with boredom (either actual or anticipated), and that any moment without distraction or entertainment signifies a "loss" in the duel.



Though boredom may seem like a phenomenon of the 21st century - an unfortunate consequence of briefly unplugging after being plugged in all the time - it's actually been recorded for centuries. The doldrums that are familiar to us were illustrated in Pompeian graffiti, described in Roman philosophy as a kind of nausea, and documented in Christian tradition as a "noonday demon." Virtually everyone - from Socrates to the kid on the subway - gets bored.


For instance, if you're sitting in your room watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians (but the fact that Kim is picking out her 100th Gucci onesie is not interesting) while checking Instagram (but the photos of your friends' lunches or engagement rings are not stimulating), you might end up feeling bored because you can't find something that adequately captures your attention at the moment. Once an engaging activity is found (say, you start planning the healthy meals you're going to bring to the work potluck), the sense of boredom seems to disappear.


Boredom may seem like an annoying feeling that we should try to dissipate immediately, but science says it can actually benefit our thoughts and lives. Research suggests that passive, so-called "boring" activities, such as reading or attending meetings at work, can lead to more creativity. That's because being bored can promote daydreaming, which can allow us to make new, innovative connections.

It's a novel concept to accept in the modern, workaholic world. Too often, many of us feel expected to be constantly engaged with something (or anything) for fear of appearing lazy - whether it's researching, calling clients, or asking for more work if we finish our share. No one wants the boss to walk by their desk while they're staring into space. And the boss probably doesn't want that, either: one survey found that many organizations view boredom as an obstacle to organizational efficiency and innovation.

But occasional, passing boredom (not the chronic kind) that increases daydreaming can actually help achieve the ingenuity that organizations seek. And it's in desperate demand: Psychologists have found that America is experiencing a creativity decline, with scores decreasing each year since 1990 (even while IQ increases).

Other research suggests that boredom encourages the pursuit of new goals when a previous objective is deemed no longer interesting. If a worker is disinterested with their job, for instance, it may signify that the job isn't the right fit or they're not being challenged. Realizing this, they might ask the boss for more responsibility or seek other opportunities. It's not to say one should call it quits after a couple of uninspiring days at the office (or dates with a significant other), but being aware of the caliber and frequency of boredom can serve as the catalyst for bettering a situation.



Chronic boredom has also been linked to more serious mental health issues. One study revealed that participants' predisposition to boredom was a strong predictor of paranoia. Another study of undergrads found that those most prone to boredom also scored highly for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.





Copyright 2015 USATODAY.com

Read the original story: The surprising benefits of being bored

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