Harness the Forgotten Superpower of Boredom

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted July 10, 2025

From the moment we crawl out of bed in the morning until we hit the hay again at night, we’re bombarded with stimulation.

With screens everywhere, including in our pockets, we’re surrounded by entertainment.

But with constant notifications and endless scrolling, we’ve forgotten how to be bored. In fact, most of us avoid it at all costs.

The moment a line gets too long or a waiting room too quiet, out comes the smartphone for a quick dopamine hit.

But what if all this distraction-dodging is actually harming our brains?

When was the last time you sat and let your mind wander? For most people, the answer is “too long to remember.”

But here’s the thing—our brains weren’t built for constant stimulation. They need downtime to process experiences, solve problems in the background, and recharge their batteries.

Boredom isn’t just empty space—it’s fertile ground where creativity and insight can take root.

When you allow yourself to be bored, your mind naturally begins to wander. But this wandering isn’t wasted time. It’s when your brain connects dots in new and surprising ways. Many great ideas throughout history came during moments of doing nothing at all.

Studies show that doing a tedious task before tackling a creative challenge sparks more interesting ideas than jumping straight in. There’s something about mental downtime that encourages fresh ideas to bubble up.

Boredom also gives your brain a chance to process emotions and memories. Without these pauses, experiences stack up—like trying to read a book while someone keeps adding pages faster than you can turn them.

Constantly reaching for a smartphone whenever boredom strikes trains your brain to expect constant novelty. This contributes to rising attention problems, especially among younger generations who have never lived in a world without instant digital distractions.

Here are some simple ways to welcome a little healthy boredom back into life:

• Leave your phone behind when you walk out the door
• Sit on your porch or balcony for 10 minutes with no entertainment
• Drive without the radio or podcasts occasionally
• Wash dishes by hand with no background noise
• Wait in line without checking your phone

These small moments of “nothing” aren’t really nothing at all. They’re chances for your brain to do some of its most important work.

In a world that treats boredom like a problem to solve, choosing to embrace it and see it as a superpower might be one of the smartest things you can do for your brain health.

P.S. This surprising combination transforms mind and body.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND