Albert Einstein, while daydreaming about cows and an electric fence, concieved the theory of relativity. On a delayed train ride from Manchester to London, J.K. Rowling came up with the storyline for Harry Potter. Tired of hand-solving math equations, Konrad Zuse built the basis of the first programmable computer to do it for him.
All these innovations originated from a common beginning: mind-wandering.
With unlimited access to the internet, extracurricular activities and an eight-hour school or work day, our lives are crafted to avoid boredom. However, the very thing we avoid most is what modern life requires: time for the mind to wander, to foster creativity, reflection, happiness and improved work performance, according to Greater Good Magazine.
Why do we avoid such a beneficial pastime? According to Assistant Professor of Government at Hillsdale College David Azerrad, the vastness of the internet plays a large role in our discomfort with boredom and influences our behaviors in boring environments.
“There is more content on Netflix, more music on Spotify, more free books on Kindle than any human being could read in 10 lifetimes,” Azerrad said. “… And everything is free, instant and at your fingertips. Therefore, as soon as you have to wait in line at the pharmacy, wait for a friend at a restaurant, wait in line for ice cream, be on a plane waiting for your flight to take off, what does everyone do? They take out their phones.”
This tendency to be constantly entertained by technology takes away the value of entertainment, leading to a more intense cycle of boredom and impatience.
“When everything is instantly available all the time, it devalues our appreciation of it,” Azerrad said. “Imagine the treat it must have been to go to the movies when there was no television … Imagine how exciting that was for kids, compared to where you just sit down and go on Netflix.”
However, the internet isn’t the only thing to blame. According to The Medium, humans seek stimulation in any way. This stimulation doesn’t just come from technology. Activities like reading, spending time with friends and family and playing games all replace boredom as well.
While these activities are often beneficial, they should not take the place of time to allow one’s mind to wander.
Instead, low-concentration activities are a better outlet to let the mind roam free. Cleaning, cooking and walking are all examples of activities that many people choose to do while watching TV or listening to music. However, these tasks should also sometimes be completed in silence to foster mental wandering.
Other larger lifestyle changes that encourage time to let the mind drift include allotting a tech-free day, like Shabbat for observant Jews, or downloading apps that limit phone usage, such as One Sec or RescueTime.
We are not minimizing the importance of the sports, homework, TV shows and time with friends. However, it is crucial to incorporate time into daily life for mind-wandering.
As Azerrad said, “I think we would all be better off in the West if we were a little bit more bored.”
For the next three times in a car, turn down the music and commit to a silent drive. Tomorrow, upon waking up, stand for thirty seconds and set an intention for the day. Devote 10 minutes each day to walking around the block, just thinking.
