Why is doing nothing so hard?
Our brains crave stimulation, and boredom feels uncomfortable. Faced with nothing to do, most people grab the nearest distraction, even an unpleasant one.
Going deeper
In a 2014 study published in Science, researchers asked people to sit alone in a room with nothing but their thoughts for 6 to 15 minutes. Many found it unpleasant. When given the option, a surprising number chose to give themselves a mild electric shock rather than just sit there.
Boredom isn't useless, though. It's a signal that pushes us to look for something new, and periods of mind-wandering are linked to creativity and planning ahead. The trouble is that phones answer the signal instantly, so we rarely let it play out.
While you’re here: 🫥 Do Nothing — don't touch anything. that's it.