Let Yourself Be Bored: It’s Good For You

Remember what it felt like to daydream out the window on a rainy afternoon? To let your mind drift while lying in the grass or waiting for dinner? 

These days, boredom feels almost dangerous. We grab our phones at the first sign of stillness—scrolling in line, checking emails at red lights (don’t do that!), or playing podcasts while we fold laundry. 

We’ve trained ourselves to fill every quiet moment. But what if that quiet is exactly what we’re missing? 

The Surprising Power of Boredom 

Boredom isn’t a waste of time—it’s a spark. 

Studies show that when your mind isn’t bombarded by constant input, it shifts into a “default mode” that supports creativity, problem-solving, and self-reflection.

A 2024 study from MDPI’s Education Sciences (open access) found that among under‐challenged students, boredom actually enhanced creative thinking—they outperformed their peers on novel idea tasks when they had time to be bored.

Mayo Clinic Health System explores how periodic boredom allows our brains to recover, “simulate creativity and problem‑solving,” and find fresh perspectives.

Psychology Today reports that mundane or “boredom‑inducing” activities often lead to higher creative output—your brain begins to wander, question, connect, and imagine .

Boredom gives your brain space to wander—and wandering leads to insights you can’t find in your inbox or feed. 

The Cost of Never Being Bored 

Constant stimulation can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and creatively blocked. When you jump from one app, task, or notification to the next, your brain never gets a chance to rest or connect ideas in new ways. 

But when you pause? That’s when breakthroughs happen. 

This Week’s Nudge 

Give yourself 10 device-free minutes a day—no scrolling, no podcasts, no multitasking. Stare out the window, daydream, doodle, or just let your mind drift. 

Your best idea might be waiting in the quiet.