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Have you ever heard yourself saying —”I’m so bored, I could die!”
This classic expression commonly understood as an exaggeration, and for good reason is voiced by every human several times throughout their lives.
Experiencing a dull day is not likely to be life-threatening. However, recent studies suggest that prolonged periods of boredom can increase your risk of premature death. Importantly, it’s not the boredom itself that poses a threat but the lifestyle choices or underlying health issues that cause and contribute to the boredom.
Boredom is akin to an emotional paradox. Your mind yearns for engagement, yet your body remains unresponsive. This widely shared human sentiment is one of the least desirable emotions, characterised by a sense of lethargic restlessness. However, when this plateauing feeling persists, a few questions are bound to arise.
Can you truly succumb to this boredom?
Taking proactive steps to address boredom can positively impact your overall well-being.
Read on to further discover how to overcome boredom and how combating boredom can lead to a healthier life.
What is boredom?
Boredom signifies a lack of engagement or meaning in your current situation, prompting you to seek more fulfilling activities.
Differentiating between the type of boredom you are experiencing is crucial.
Is it “State boredom” which relates to specific situations?
Or is it “Trait boredom” which is linked to your susceptibility, correlating with self-control, anxiety, depression and substance use?
Boredom is a complex phenomenon that researchers are actively studying and have now acknowledged that it’s possible to die from boredom, dispelling the notion of it being a mere childhood exaggeration. Boredom, influenced by dopamine regulation in the brain, is associated with lower immune function. Individuals with lower dopamine production or dopamine sensitivity often have a lower threshold for boredom. Boredom can lead to engaging in risky behaviours to alleviate boredom, such as dangerous sports, promiscuity and substance abuse which can significantly affect your health and contribute to premature death.
What are the effects of boredom in seniors?
Many seniors grapple with feelings of worthlessness and boredom in retirement, contrary to the anticipated “restful years”. The loss of routine and sense of self, diminished social connections, and multiplying health issues can contribute to depression and loneliness among retirees. A study spanning
25 years found that chronic boredom significantly increases the risk of premature death, emphasising the strong link between mental well-being and physical health.
Underlying conditions can contribute to boredom
If you suffer from any of these conditions, chances of you developing chronic boredom are high, especially if left untreated-
- alexithymia (inability to describe and identify emotions)
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
- depression
- traumatic brain injury
Boredom alone won’t kill you. However, long-term boredom may increase your risk for an early death. Boredom may increase the amount of stress hormones in your body, which can lead to numerous health issues.
Boredom caused death can be due to unhealthy lifestyle choices
Boredom is often linked to the following unhealthy lifestyle choices:
- smoking
- alcohol misuse
- substance use
- binge eating or mindless snacking
- eating unhealthy foods
Can boredom affect your heart?
Similar to stress, boredom can exert undue strain on your heart and circulatory system, potentially elevating your risk of a heart attack. Individuals who reported higher levels of boredom were not only more likely to have passed away prematurely but also more than twice as likely to have succumbed to a fatal form of cardiovascular disease.
The link between boredom and mortality may stem from the fact that bored individuals tend to experience feelings of unfulfillment, lack of motivation and unhappiness often leading to unhealthy behaviours such as excessive drinking, smoking, overeating and drug use. These behaviours, in turn, heighten the risks of heart disease.
Can boredom cause depression?
There is a notable correlation between boredom and depression. While persistent boredom can contribute to depression, it’s also possible to experience chronic boredom as a symptom of this mental health condition. Taking proactive steps to address and treat existing health conditions, along with actively engaging in activities that promote overall well-being, can be effective in combating boredom and depression.
Overcoming and treating boredom —
Establishing a daily routine, with designated times for work, exercise, chores, hobbies and socialising, can be an effective strategy to combat boredom, though occasional bouts of boredom may still occur which is very normal. Here are some ways to avoid being bored-
- Read a book, newspaper or magazine
- Watch a movie or documentary
- Journal or scrapbook
- Exercise- go for a walk, workout class or gym
- Eat your meals mindfully
- Meditate or practice gratitude
- Call a friend or loved one
- Socialise with your friends and family
- Join a club or engage in a hobby
- Do some volunteer work
- Cook your own food
- Do house chores
- Get enough sleep every night so you have the energy to be active during the day.
Once you’ve identified the type of boredom you have, you can work through it.
Conclusion —
Occasional boredom can be beneficial in fostering creativity in finding entertainment solutions. However, prolonged boredom, especially when coupled with untreated health conditions like depression, can negatively impact your well-being. To prevent boredom’s adverse effects make sure you keep yourself physically and mentally busy.
The more bored you are, the more likely you are to die prematurely.
If boredom kills, then cultivating curiosity is a cure.
