The Neuroscience of Boredom: Why Doing Nothing Is Good for Brain Development
- natejrae92
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Is there anything worse than being bored? In modern life, boredom has gained a bad reputation, and we find ourselves constantly trying to avoid it. Whenever there’s a quiet moment, we rush to fill it with screens, activities and background noise, determined not to waste time.
But neuroscience tells us a very different story. Research into the neuroscience of boredom shows that boredom is not only normal, but beneficial for brain development. Far from being a problem, boredom plays an important role in creativity, emotional regulation and healthy brain growth in both children and adults.
What is boredom?
Boredom happens when the brain lacks stimulation and meaningful engagement. Importantly, though, the brain doesn’t shut down during boredom. Instead, it activates a different system – one that supports imagination, reflection, emotional development and learning. That uncomfortable, restless feeling you get when things are getting a little dull is the brain’s way of saying it’s ready for something new.
When the brain isn’t focused on a specific task, a set of regions known as the default mode network [1] becomes more active. The default mode network is involved in daydreaming, memory consolidation, self-reflection and creative thinking. Brain imaging studies [2] show that the default mode network is especially important for brain development in children, but it continues to play an important role throughout adulthood.
Boredom and creativity
There’s a clear link between boredom and creativity. Research has shown that people often come up with more original ideas after performing boring or repetitive tasks [3]. When we don't have much external stimulation, the brain starts to generate its own ideas, forming new connections between memories, experiences and thoughts that don’t normally interact when we’re busy.
For many of us, moments of doing nothing often lead to new insight and problem-solving. Many people have some of their best ideas appearing during quiet walks, showers, monotonous tasks or long car journeys. So there are real, tangible benefits to doing those boring tasks yourself, rather than asking an AI assistant for you![4]
For children, this process is a major driver of learning. Boredom often leads to imaginative play, storytelling and problem-solving. Do you remember coming up with new games and stories when to battle boredom as a kid? These activities strengthen neural connections and support cognitive flexibility [5]. Boredom is good for kids, especially during early and middle childhood when the brain is rapidly developing!
Boredom and emotions
Boredom also supports emotional development. Learning to tolerate boredom helps strengthen the brain systems involved in self-control and emotional regulation. Instead of immediately escaping discomfort with screens and other distractions, the brain practices managing it. [6] Over time, this builds resilience and patience – skills that are essential for lifelong mental health.
Screen time and mental development
This matters even more in the context of modern technology. Research on screen time and brain development has found that constant stimulation from phones and tablets may limit opportunities for boredom-related brain activity, and lead to increased likelihood of depression, anxiety and other mood disorders [7]. When every quiet moment is filled with fast-paced digital content, the brain has fewer chances to enter reflective states supported by the default mode network. While screens can be educational and entertaining in small doses, excessive use can crowd out the mental downtime our brains need.
Finding balance
Healthy brain development depends on balance. The brain benefits from stimulation and structure, but it also needs rest and moments of unstructured mental wandering. Boredom provides that balance.
For parents and teachers, this might require a perspective shift. Hearing “I’m bored” from a child doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. On the contrary, it’s an important part of cognitive development in children, and means that their brain is ready to engage in self-directed exploration.
So the next time you or your child find yourselves feeling a bit bored, try not to grab the nearest screen or search for a distraction – instead, invite it in. You might just find it was exactly what your brain needed.
Curiosity: What's Your Question?
British Science Week is coming up, and this year’s theme is Curiosity: What’s Your Question? Why not use some unstructured time in the classroom to help your students explore their own sense of curiosity, asking curious questions and making new discoveries of their own?
At Braintastic! Science, we love to explore creativity and curiosity that comes from brains that are allowed to wander. Take a look at our website to find out how we can get involved in your school’s Science Week and spark curiosity in your students!
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