Boredom: What are the Causes of This Affliction and How Can It be Counteracted?
by “They do not suffer the guilt that humans have when they take a nap.”
That’s the root of the problem. We measure our self-worth by listing our achievements. To stand out and do better than our peers, neighbors or friends, we have to work hard. Now-a-days, even children are not spared. There is a great deal of competition out there; and there is a lot of pressure to perform.
Boredom occurs when one cannot stand not having anything to do. The body may be at rest but the brain wants something to happen or to do.
The first thing I notice about boredom is that it is a peculiar human affliction affecting grown – ups and teenagers. Very young children and the other living things do not seem to be bothered by boredom.
Suffer From Boredom
My neighbor has two dogs whose only job is to stay around the house and bark if strangers approached. Beside that they have nothing else to do. However I have never ever seen them looked bored. Usually when there is nothing in particular happening, they just retire to a corner and have a nap. Of coarse just as easily they can wake up when they have to. They do not suffer the guilt that humans have when they take a nap. Also they do not suffer from insomnia or reluctance to get up from sleep.
So it is the same with the other animals and living things that I know. They do not seem to suffer from boredom.
Cannot Stop Thinking
As human beings in this modern world we are taught from young to be always busy. We busy ourselves in daily activities and work all our lives so much so our wonderful brain do not know how to take a rest after a while. The evidence of this perpetual activity of the brain is that a normal person (adult as well as growing children) cannot stop thinking. Only very young children do not use their brain unnecessarily.
So when a person’s body tales a rest, it is not long before the monkey of the brain starts demanding some activity. It cannot stand inactivity. So the person feels very keeps saying how boring it is. So eventually he goes and does something to satisfy the demands of the brain.
Get Some Other Work
I see this happening in me as well as my friends. This neurosis seems to afflict some people more than others. I have a neighbor who has to slog for a living. He often works overtime to make more money. One in a while when the holidays comes, he is forced to sit at home. Those are the times when he normally comes down with a headache. He does not get a headache at work, only during holidays. So usually he tries to get some other work to get out of his boredom.
Learn To Love Himself
There is only one way to counteract this affliction. Boredom is the condition where a person cannot stand doing nothing. In other words, he cannot stand being himself. This means he does not love himself enough to feel at peace within. So the only way is to learn to love himself again, by willingly giving up his “busy – ness” and not indulging in unnecessary thinking. That way his brain learns to take a rest too and thus do not make demands on him so often. In time, boredom can thus be eliminated.
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Post CommentChristine Ramsay
On May 9, 2009 at 5:55 am
I have never looked at boredom in that way. It is an interesting thought. Fortunately I don’t have much time to be bored. A good article.
Christine
Anne McNew
On May 9, 2009 at 6:32 am
I don’t know exactly what makes me bored. hehehehe because if I don’t like what i usually do, I simply click on my triond tool bar and then I’m fine. hahaha
Joe Dorish
On May 9, 2009 at 7:30 am
Very perceptive article about boredom Mr Ghaz.
Darla Cooke
On May 9, 2009 at 7:39 am
Great article!
Betty Carew
On May 9, 2009 at 7:49 am
I can honestly say I am never bored. I love being busy and at my age the more my mind is stimulated the better. A great article Mr Ghaz a pause for thought lol
payge
On May 9, 2009 at 9:44 am
Great article with pictures.As an older lady and a grandmother,I stay busy and donthave a problem with it.I am comfortable with myself and know what keeps me content.But if it ever does try to creep in,there is always Triond to either read work or create it.
seashell66
On May 9, 2009 at 10:08 am
It takes alot of courage to sit and be with oneself. Thank you for this enlightening article.
Glynis Smy
On May 9, 2009 at 10:21 am
Interesting take on boredom. I am too busy to be bored,my life is a good one so I can relax whenever I wish. I do feel guilty if I nap though,even though we are encouraged by the Cypriot villagers to siesta.
OhSugar
On May 9, 2009 at 12:38 pm
As busy as we are how can we be bored? Boredom should be identified as not finding anything to do that stimulate our happy hormones. I have plenty to do, I am exhausted, but not bored. Great article for discussion.
George W Whitehead
On May 9, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Great article, Mr Ghaz. I suffer from the complete opposite of boredom. I have an overactive mind, it never seems to switch off.
kate smedley
On May 9, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Very good article about boredom.
spiritwalker
On May 9, 2009 at 7:12 pm
very interesting topic for an article. I can say that I have not read an article on boredom lately. Good choice
clay hurtubise
On May 9, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I like this perspective. Personally, I like ‘quiet time’, just can’t seem to get enough!
Thanks,
Clay
JK Kristie
On May 12, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Interesting take on boredom; nice tips!
Poetic Enigma
On May 15, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Great article, Very well informing.
What a great topic to write about
CutestPrincess
On May 31, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I dont have much time to be bored, i keep myself busy, as a matter of fact, 24hrs is not enough for me… lol!
Mark
On July 5, 2009 at 2:39 am
Hi I don’t have a job because of the recession and boredom is driving me nuts to the point of suicide. Why can’t I just stare into space like a horse or a dog does. If I can figure out what it is in the brain that causes boredom, I wish to turn it off so I don’t feel like that feeling you get when you get bored. I wish someone could design some medication so boredom can be accepted instead of going nuts like I have.
I mean I like driving and exercise but it doesn’t take up the whole day if you know what I mean.
mark
On July 5, 2009 at 2:42 am
Plus it is winter and that makes boredom worse here in New Zealand. Wish summer was here.
Phill Senters
On November 28, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Very good Mr G. I only get bored when I don’t have a computer. That’s why I always have at least two that work.
hollynoel001
On November 29, 2009 at 8:07 pm
i agree with mark it is winter time almost so staying inside more sucks!!!! boredom thens comes more easily and frequently we need to learn to relax more and enjoy it!
mark
On December 17, 2009 at 2:31 am
Hi it is mark and I just want to say that when i get bored i wish i can handle it because my mind goes like a thousand miles an hour and it drives me nuts. For example when i sit down it is annoying because my mind is over active and I am in hospital now because of my over active mind and I am going to get an eeg scan on my brain to find out what is causing this. It is a bit like akathisia where you can’t sit still. It is a constant battle for me and I am going to get the brain scan soon.
I just want to be able to sit and be at peace with myself instead of my mind being over active all the time constantly which is driving me nuts. I might have adhd but th doctors are going to figure that out in hospital soon.
cuty
On November 7, 2010 at 9:01 am
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GoldenDoll
On November 7, 2010 at 2:01 pm
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