Your Brain on Boredom: Why Doing Nothing Might Be Essential

Your bored mind isn’t lazy; it’s trying to tell you something important.
Your Brain on Boredom: Why Doing Nothing Might Be Essential
Linda Blazic-Mirosevic/Shutterstock
|Updated:
0:00

Your brain is trying to tell you something, but you keep reaching for your phone before you can hear what it has to say.

The restless, irritable feeling we call boredom isn’t a sign of a short attention span. It’s a biological design to tell you when your life has drifted off course. However, constant digital stimulation has turned that internal compass into white noise.

Sheridan Genrich
Sheridan Genrich
Sheridan Genrich, BHSc., is a clinical nutritionist and naturopath whose consulting practice since 2009 has specialized in helping people who struggle with digestive discomfort, addictions, sleep, and mood disturbances. She is also the author of the self help book, "DNA Powered Health; Unlock Your Potential to Live with Energy and Ease."