Far from being an enemy of productivity, boredom can be a valuable ally.
- Several studies show that being bored could not only be beneficial for brain health, but could also boost productivity and creativity.
- Indeed, this quiet moment allows you to recharge your “mental batteries”, giving the brain time to generate creativity, new ideas and innovation.
- To benefit from it on a daily basis, it is important to take regular breaks, both at work and in personal life.
In a hyper-connected world where constant demand is the norm, boredom can be seen as a state to be avoided at all costs. Yet research suggests that being bored may not only be beneficial for brain health, but could also boost productivity and creativity.
The benefits of boredom for the brain
Neuroscience highlights the importance of allowing yourself moments of boredom for brain health, not to rest but to increase productivity. This counterintuitive idea actually has a very simple explanation: boredom gives our brains a needed break from a constantly stimulating environment.
By recharging one’s “mental batteries” as it were, these periods of calm create ideal conditions for the brain to generate creativity, new ideas and innovation.
Boredom stimulates creativity
When our minds are not constantly busy with tasks or distractions, they have the freedom to wander, explore, and make unexpected connections. It is in this seemingly non-productive mental space that creativity flourishes the most.
Without the constraints of focused attention on something, the brain engages in a thought process that generates creative ideas and possible new solutions. Their ability to solve problems in an innovative way is thus stimulated, which ultimately increases creative potential and therefore the ability to better manage the hectic pace of modern life.
How to take advantage of boredom in everyday life?
You understand, rather than fleeing boredom, it is possible to embrace it to increase your productivity. Organizing regular breaks, whether at work or in your personal life, of sufficient duration to let your thoughts go, can help you return to activity more effectively.
For those who worry that these breaks are detrimental to work, you can also prioritize routine tasks, such as organizing documents or passively participating in meetings, which can also encourage the emergence of creative thoughts.
Find out more: “Being bored, what happiness!” by Patrick Lemoine.
