Doing nothing provides necessary mental rest, reducing stress and preventing burnout in our hyper-connected world
I was headed home on a Southwest Airlines flight with a dead cellphone. Seated in the first row, my view was of the bulkhead, and the guy next to me had fallen asleep after consuming copious cocktails prior to boarding the plane.
There was no chance of a substantive conversation with my intoxicated neighbor and with no means of accessing the plane’s complimentary Wi-Fi, I achieved a state of profound boredom before the plane could reach its cruising altitude.
Under normal circumstances, I try to avoid being bored, but sometimes I think it can be quite pleasant and productive. I’ve learned that boredom isn’t always the villain. Matter of fact, I think it can be the unsung hero of human creativity, deep thought and intrinsic motivation for writing.
It would be another five hours before my flight was scheduled to land in San Diego, so I asked the flight attendant for some paper and a pen and began jotting down my thoughts on the benefits of boredom at 35,000 feet.
To begin with, I think boredom gets a bad rap, especially in our hyper-connected world. But let’s pause, literally and figuratively. Imagine no music, no podcasts, no games, no scrolling. Just the sound of the jet engines.
I’m convinced my dead-cellphone-on-a-plane scenario might actually do me some good. Experts say that instead of mindlessly scrolling on your phone, embracing the boredom of a flight can lead to several mental benefits, such as enhanced creativity, increased self-awareness and improved mental well-being.
Enhanced creativity: When boredom strikes, your brain’s “default mode network” kicks in, allowing your mind to wander off-leash like a happy puppy and make novel connections. This can lead to breakthroughs in problem-solving and foster innovative ideas that might not emerge if you’re too busy checking your emails. Notable creators such as novelist J.K. Rowling, who conceived Harry Potter while on a boring train ride, credit these moments of idle thought.
Increased self-awareness: Without external distractions, boredom forces introspection and reflection. It’s a lot like finally getting glasses after a lifetime of blurry vision. Suddenly, you can see everything — all your flaws, bad habits and questionable life choices become crystal clear. It’s a gift and a curse, but this reflection can reveal what is truly important and potentially motivate you to search for more meaningful activities.
Improved mental well-being: In a hyper-connected world, constant busyness can lead to stress, anxiety and burnout. By embracing boredom, you can give your mind some needed rest, calming your frazzled nervous system and recharging your cognitive resources. This practice of “doing nothing” is actually productive, allowing your brain to relax and achieve a healthier mental balance.
So, next time your phone dies on a plane, don’t panic, just embrace it. The potential for boredom isn’t a problem to be solved with internet access but is rather a gift to be welcomed. It’s a chance to think, dream and discover what your mind can create when it’s finally given the space to wander.
Behind every bored person is a great idea. For me, it’s the sense of accomplishment after completing a 538-word thesis on the glorious upside of being bored on a plane.
As always, please share your thoughts with me at al@pvamag.com.
