Boredom is often seen as something negative and unproductive. However, a recent study found that boredom can actually spark creativity. In this article, we will discuss how boredom can be a source of inspiration and creativity, and how we can use it in our daily lives.
What is Boredom?
Boredom is a feeling of dissatisfaction and disinterest in the activity being done. Boredom can occur when we feel that there is nothing interesting or challenging to do. Although boredom is often considered as something negative, it turns out that there is a positive side to this feeling.
A Study of Boredom and Creativity
Boredom can actually encourage creativity, as stated in Mind Body Green. Leading happiness expert Gretchen Rubin says that when someone feels bored, the brain will naturally look for ways to entertain itself, which ultimately triggers new ideas. When bored, a person's mind tends to spread without a particular focus. This is the beginning of the creative process that occurs.
Rubin also supports this view with a study that showed that boring tasks can increase creativity. The study involved asking participants to perform a monotonous activity for 15 minutes, such as reading a list of phone numbers. The results showed that the bored group was able to generate more creative ideas than the control group who were not given a boring task.
Why Boredom Can Trigger Creativity?
Boredom can fuel creativity in a number of ways. When we’re bored, our brains tend to look for ways to cope with the feeling, which can spark our imagination and make us think outside the box. Boredom also gives us time to reflect and think, which can lead to new ideas we might not have thought of before. Additionally, when we’re bored, we tend to look for ways to fill our time, which can reduce distractions from other activities and allow us to focus more on the task at hand.
How to Use Boredom to Boost Creativity
Here are some ways to use boredom to increase creativity:
- Find Challenging Activities : Try to find challenging and interesting activities to do. This can help overcome boredom and spark creativity.
- Taking Time to Reflect : Take time to reflect and think. In this state, we can find new ideas that we may not have thought of before.
- Reduce Distractions : Try to reduce distractions from other activities and focus on the task at hand. This can help increase creativity and productivity.
- Seeking Inspiration from the Surroundings : Try to seek inspiration from the surrounding environment. This can help spark imagination and make us think outside the box.
Boredom in Everyday Life
Boredom does not only occur in certain situations, but can also appear in everyday life. Here are some examples of how boredom can arise and how we can take advantage of it:
- At Work : Boredom at work can occur when we feel that the tasks given are not challenging or monotonous. In this situation, we can try to find new ways to complete tasks or find more interesting side projects.
- At Home : Boredom at home can happen when we feel like there is nothing interesting to do. Try finding a new hobby or activity that you have never tried before to overcome boredom.
- On the Go : Boredom on the go can happen when we have to wait for a long time, such as when waiting for a plane or train. Use this time to read a book, listen to music, or write in a journal to spark creativity.
Conclusion
Boredom is often seen as something negative and unproductive. However, a recent study found that boredom can actually spark creativity. By utilizing boredom, we can increase imagination, provide time to think, and reduce distractions. Therefore, do not be afraid to feel bored, because boredom can be a source of unexpected inspiration and creativity.
I hope this article is useful and easy to understand! If you have anything to add or ask, please feel free to contact me.
