"Boredom Prescription" Leads to Surprising Benefits

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted April 6, 2023

I spent a good part of my childhood complaining that I was “bored.” So much so that my mom BANISHED the word from my summer vocabulary.

But when was the last time you were truly bored?

If you’re having a hard time remembering, I’m not surprised. Because you, like the rest of us, have likely had your boredom stolen by technology.

You see it everywhere you go. If you’re waiting in a line, you’ll notice nearly EVERYONE pulls out their phones to get a little “surfing” in. Or you take a seat on a bus, train, or airplane, and all around you, your fellow passengers are plugged into their tablets or laptops.

We don’t LET ourselves get bored anymore!

You might think that sounds like a good thing. After all, who wants to “waste time” being bored, right?

But you’d be wrong.

Our brains NEED a rest from the constant barrage of information.

There are two types of boredom: superficial and profound.

• Superficial boredom is what you feel when you have to wait for something without a distraction—like waiting in line.
• Profound boredom happens when you’re stuck without something to do for more than a few minutes.

While profound boredom sounds like torture, it’s actually where creativity lives. Not only the creativity of artists, writers, and mathematicians but your OWN too.

How do you solve the problem you’ve been having with your spouse, child, or neighbor? How can you resolve that problem at work? What can you fix in your church, home, or volunteer organization?

Allow boredom to blossom, and the answer may come to you.

The best way to be bored is to PLAN to get away from your devices. My wife and I do this regularly by sitting on our front porch and staring out at the world going by without our phones.

I think we ALL can benefit from a “boredom prescription.”

Find  time in your OWN life to sit quietly and let your mind wander. You’ll be surprised (and delighted) by the possibilities and solutions “boredom” will open up for you.

P.S. Having trouble just sitting quietly? Give meditation a try. It’s not JUST good for creativity. There are BUNCHES of health benefits, too, including protecting your brain from dementia. I’ve got all the details RIGHT HERE.

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