We think of boredom as something negative, but it has benefits we need to realize and use to our advantage.

Boredom can be a friend or a foe, and we are the ones who will determine how we view it and how we may benefit ourselves and our children from it. It is not a state of inertia where we are devoid of everything and every creative aspect of our lives, but one that offers opportunity if we perceive it when it presents itself.

How often have we heard a small child look at us and say, "I’m bored! " And how did we respond to that? Behind that one word is a nexus of learning and a kernel of inspiration.

We all get bored sometimes, and it makes us feel uncomfortable. We may believe that we should do something, that we're missing something, or that there may be some lack in ourselves. These are several perspectives on the situation we find ourselves in, but we should not despair because research is pointing the way, and we can follow it to a happier, more productive, and more creative life.

As the right to pursue one’s happiness and sense of “self” became a universally recognized human value, ennui became prominent in Western philosophical thought. Many people believe it is a negative emotion that prevents happiness when we have to sit through a tedious meeting, do the same thing repeatedly, or be in an uninteresting environment.

Boredom has a bad rap because it is strongly correlated with undesirable actions. But it is also a really essential feeling when we cannot get ourselves engrossed in something or keep ourselves busy, no matter how much we try. On top of that, it is associated with daydreaming and mental idleness, both of which can spark creativity and new ideas or motivate us to do important things. If we see boredom as a beginning rather than a stagnant time, it is a world-opening opportunity.

When Do We Get Bored and Who Gets Bored?

Researchers have examined what happens when we feel bored. On the one hand, we experience boredom when we are not challenged enough; on the other hand, we experience boredom when something is excessively demanding, like a rigorous university lecture. Boredom may result if the material is over our heads.

But there's also another explanation for degrees of boredom. According to the Goldilocks Principle, which specifies an ideal level of involvement, a state of boredom indicates that we are not engaging to our full potential. Some people experience boredom more frequently than others, which is also explained by applying a framework.

We all set our own framework for what is just right versus what is not good enough. It goes back to the old children's story about the three bears and their beds and how there was one that had just the right softness. According to this reasoning, each of us sets the standard for boredom, and it's not the situation necessarily, but a bit of perfectionism on our part.

But there isn’t one type of boredom, but two. One is state boredom, the temporary experience of being bored in certain situations, such as having nothing to do in an uninspiring situation or performing the same simple task repeatedly. The other aspect is boredom as an innate trait, the individual's proneness to boredom. High boredom proneness has been associated with ADHD, risk-taking behaviors, a higher risk of dropping out of school, and mental symptoms such as apathy, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Turning Boredom Into a Positive

After a period of intense activities, the brain needs a bit of rest and a time to kick back. During this time, we may experience a sensation of boredom, so use it, and instead of being bored, take it under your control. Here are a few simple things that you can do:

1. Balance what you do with time to rest.
   It is helpful to have a range of things that you enjoy, that let you interact with other people, and that keep your mind active. Still, taking breaks is important for keeping your brain fresh. Try to balance planned tasks and short breaks to improve your creative thinking.
2. Do something different.
   To stay creative and avoid boredom, join a club, try a new sport, play a game, read a book, or cook a new recipe. Of course, this all depends on when you are feeling bored and have the freedom to enter into something new. Obviously, boredom at a corporate meeting or in a lecture hall differs from boredom that you may experience at home.
3. Go outside.
   Being outside is one of the best ways to relax and avoid boredom. It also helps you work on new ideas. We know that being outdoors and even walking in a park can boost your mood and your creativity and turn a boring time into one of promise.
4. Accept that you are curious and kind, and allow your mind to daydream.
   In fact, daydreaming has been found to be extremely valuable in coming up with creative solutions to problems and in any type of new creative activity. Allow your mind to wander.
5. Enjoy remembering things.
   Older people spend a lot of time thinking about the past. There is nothing wrong with this. If thinking about the past too much becomes a problem, try focusing for a few minutes on your present or future goals and dreams. Think about the possibilities in life that are yet to come, and perhaps begin putting a plan into action.

What About Kids and Boredom?

Boredom can be a time of unseen brain development as children begin to engage in new, simple but creative tasks. Setting aside time for kids to be bored requires planning and practice. Researchers suggest a few ways to add some order to kids’ free time instead of telling them to keep busy for two hours or letting them use screens while they are not doing anything.

If kids do not know what to do first, adults can suggest a few things to do, like building a fort indoors or outside, an obstacle course, or a fairy garden. But the point is to be as broad as possible.

The people who care for children, especially their parents, are likely to have the most impact on their behavior, both genetically (innately) and environmentally. Studies have shown that a person's tendency to become bored may not be solely genetic, and how they handle boredom may depend on their upbringing.

They can improve their skills, imagination, and self-esteem by being bored. Talk to them about the things they love and are interested in. Then, you can list short-term and long-term projects together so they have something to do when they are bored.

Mostly, little kids need a variety of short tasks to pick from. Things like art projects, dressing up, and playing sports outside can be on their list. Kids who are older can work on bigger projects, like planting a garden, or be given a bunch of DIY leftovers and told to “make” something new. This is a challenge that kids can love.

I remember a friend's father, who made it a practice to always help kids build small things and then encourage them to improve on anything that they had created, such as a small, simple float for a pond. He even built a backyard tightrope with a thick cable he had found somewhere. It was only a foot off the ground, so kids could learn to walk on it safely.

His creativity was catching for every child who came into that backyard and left with new ideas and a new joy of learning. I remember him taking a group of us to teach us how to skin dive. Then he began building surfboards, and some kids were in a group where he taught them to surf. There was never a dull moment with him.

No one needs to feel that boredom is wasted time unless that’s what they choose it to be. It can be a time for wonder.