Embracing boredom: A reset for the overstimulated brain

Boredom is a feeling that each of us is familiar with. It is usually associated with a lack of interest and difficulty in maintaining attention. However, scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia highlight that boredom can have positive aspects. They argue that for our brain, it is an underrated positive state.

The brain network is a system of interconnected regions that work together to support various functions. Researchers compare it to a city where the suburbs (brain regions) are connected by roads (neural pathways), facilitating efficient movement of information.

"When we experience boredom – say, while watching a movie – our brain engages specific networks. The attention network prioritises relevant stimuli while filtering out distractions and is active when we commence the movie," explain Michelle Kennedy, a youth mental health researcher, and Professor Daniel Hermens, a specialist in youth mental health and neurobiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, as quoted by Science Alert.

However, when our attention wanes, activity in the attention network decreases, reflecting our reduced ability to maintain focus on unengaging content. According to researchers, similar reduced activity occurs in the fronto-parietal network or executive control network due to the struggle to stay engaged with an unengaging film. At the same time, the default mode network becomes active, shifting our focus to internal thoughts and self-reflection. This is a basic function of the default mode network, known as introspection, suggesting a strategy for coping with boredom.

"The amygdala can be likened to an internal alarm system. It processes emotional information and plays a role in forming emotional memories. During boredom, this region processes associated negative emotions, and the ventral medial prefrontal cortex motivates us to seek alternative stimulating activities," the researchers describe.

Spending every spare moment with a phone can be costly for our nervous system. Overstimulation can lead to excessive activation of the nervous system. Scientists believe that the sympathetic system, which manages our fight or flight response, is designed for times of stress. However, when we face constant stress, take in new information, and juggle various activities, the sympathetic system may remain active for too long due to repeated exposure to various stressors.

This is sometimes referred to as "allostatic overload." It occurs when our nervous system becomes overwhelmed, keeping us in a state of heightened arousal, which can increase the risk of anxiety. Eliminating boredom deprives us of a simple and natural way to reset the sympathetic system.

In today's world, filled with information and stress, boredom can be a valuable tool for resetting our nervous system. "In small doses, boredom is the necessary counterbalance to the overstimulated world in which we live," researchers emphasise. This allows for emotional regulation and nervous system resetting, which is crucial for mental health.

It's important to note that excessive stimulation can lead to nervous system overload, increasing the risk of anxiety. Therefore, scientists recommend that we occasionally allow ourselves to be bored, as it can benefit our mental health and creativity.