How Boredom is Bad for Your Mental Health

Boredom is a universal experience. However, prolonged stretches of boredom, where there is never a dull moment, can lead to higher stress levels, with severe consequences for mental and physical health. Especially for individuals with mental health conditions, recovering from a substance abuse disorder, or both, boredom can be detrimental to mental health. According to behavioral health statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mental health disorders are common in the United States, affecting nearly one in five U.S. adults each year.

To foster positive mental health, it’s essential to stay engaged and learn different ways to cope when you feel boredom setting in. Here’s what you need to know to foster positive mental health and combat boredom.

Defining Boredom and Its Impact

Boredom is a universal experience that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a state of mind characterized by a lack of interest, stimulation, or challenge. When boredom becomes chronic, it can significantly impact mental health, leading to negative emotions such as frustration, stress, and hopelessness. Over time, chronic boredom can contribute to poor mental health, including conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Understanding the impact of boredom is crucial for recognizing its role as a risk factor for various mental health issues.

Research has shown that chronic boredom can increase your risk factors for mental health issues, leading to negative thinking patterns, impulsivity, and self-destructive behaviors. Boredom is not just a simple state of mind but a complex emotional experience that can have profound effects on mental health. Boredom can exacerbate your mental health symptoms if you have a pre-existing mental health condition, such as an anxiety disorder, ADHD, or bipolar disorder. For individuals with schizophreniapost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), boredom can increase the severity and frequency of symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations, and mood swings, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

For individuals with anxiety and depression, rumination can contribute to poor mental health, especially if you’re spending a significant amount of time disengaged. On the same note, constant anxiety about the future and feelings of loneliness, which may arise if you’re bored, can undermine your mental wellness. According to recent studies in psychological science, understanding the dynamics of boredom can provide valuable insights into its impact on mental health.

Individuals in recovery for substance use disorders may also face similar issues. Without distraction, negative thinking patterns can arise, leading to negative feelings. In turn, difficult emotions might make it more difficult to avoid alcohol or drug use. As a result, combatting boredom is an essential strategy for preventing relapse.

Although everyone gets bored from time to time, cultivating different interests and hobbies can help you avoid long stretches of boredom. When we feel bored, it can be challenging to stay engaged and maintain our mental health. When we’re engaged in an activity that we enjoy, it’s much easier to take care of our mental health and avoid feeling bored. Some productive ways to combat boredom include:

• Volunteering at a local organization

• Spending time outdoors biking, hiking, or going on walks

• Teaching yourself a new skill, like learning a new language

• Reading a book or listening to a podcast

• Joining a Meetup group to connect with new people

• Finding new ways to express yourself through writing or painting

Whether you take up new hobbies or find purposeful ways to serve others, consider inviting your friends and family members to participate. Like boredom, loneliness can also be a significant roadblock for those in recovery from substance use or mental illness. At every stage in life, from adolescence to adulthood, finding ways to spend time with the people you love can have wide-ranging mental and physical health benefits, according to the World Health Organization.

Although replacing long stretches of boredom with fun, fulfilling hobbies can help you improve your mental health, remember that your mind and body need time to rest and recharge. As a result, it’s essential to slow down and take some time for yourself to maintain positive mental health, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

If you’re experiencing mental health issues related to boredom, it’s important to remember that help is available. Talk therapy can help you understand your triggers, reduce the severity of your symptoms, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

If you’re not sure how to get started, try using an online therapy platform to schedule your first appointment. Online therapy platforms connect prospective clients to therapists that match their personal preferences and requirements so that you can talk through your concerns in a safe, judgment-free space.

Support groups can also be a valuable resource for individuals experiencing mental health issues that contribute to boredom—especially if your boredom stems from a lack of social interactions and social anxiety. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers various support groups, including NAMI Family and NAMI Basics. Support groups can benefit individuals with substance use disorders, PTSD, and related mental health problems. They help reduce stigma and provide a sense of connection which can help with feelings of boredom.

If your boredom is causing you to question life or you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also offers a free, confidential, 24/7 hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).