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 Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...