logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2020
41m 9s

Encore: Why boredom is surprisingly inte...

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
About this episode
We’re taking a holiday break, so we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from this past year. Back in the spring we talked to University of Florida psychologist Erin Westgate about the surprisingly fascinating topic of boredom. What is boredom? Is it always bad to be bored? What can we do to infuse even boring times with meaning?  Links Erin Westgate ... Show More
Up next
Mar 18
Understanding Tourette disorder and other tic disorders, with John Piacentini, PhD
Tourette disorder and other tic disorders affect millions of people yet remain widely misunderstood. John Piacentini, PhD, director of the UCLA Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Clinic, explains the brain basis of Tourette disorder; talks about why tics are very common in you ... Show More
35m 11s
Mar 11
How to become more patient, with Sarah Schnitker, PhD
Life is full of situations -- and people -- that try our patience, from a standstill traffic jam to an obstinate preschooler who won’t put on her shoes. Sarah Schnitker, PhD, talks about why patience can be so hard to come by; whether modern life and modern technology have made u ... Show More
35m 13s
Mar 4
Incentivizing recovery: Why contingency management works to treat addiction, with Lara Coughlin, PhD, and Michael McDonell, PhD
More than half of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involve stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine. There are no medications to treat stimulant addiction, but there is a behavioral treatment that works: contingency management, which involves offering tangible, immediate rewar ... Show More
45m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2022
Why do we get bored?
<p>“I’m bored!” We can all relate to the uncomfortable - and at times unbearable - feeling of boredom. But what is it? Why does it happen? And could this frustrating, thumb-twiddling experience actually serve some evolutionary purpose? CrowdScience listener Brian started wonderin ... Show More
30m 27s
Mar 2016
Episode 23: Boredom
<p>We've all been there: bored in class, bored at work, bored in standstill traffic. But why do we find boredom so unbearable? And, if we hate being bored so much, why do we still take boring jobs? This week on Hidden Brain, we try to answer these questions and more — hopefully, ... Show More
19m 39s
Jul 2023
Why do we get bored?
<p>“I’m bored!” We can all relate to the uncomfortable - and at times unbearable - feeling of boredom. But what is it? Why does it happen? And could this frustrating, thumb-twiddling experience actually serve some evolutionary purpose? </p><p>CrowdScience listener Brian started ... Show More
27m 13s
Jun 2024
How I Stopped Fearing Boredom
Dr Laurie HATES boredom! Since childhood she's found it so painful that she'll do anything to avoid being bored. She'll watch crappy TV. She'll find extra work to do. She'll snack. But boredom is actually an incredibly useful tool to boost our happiness and creativity.   With the ... Show More
25m 30s
May 2024
#72 - Is it Normal For Healthy Love to Feel Boring?
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have you ever felt bored in your relationship and worried that something is wrong? Maybe you’ve wondered “is this normal, shouldn’t things feel more exciting than this?” I’ve been there, and this has been a trigger I have struggled with myself, ... Show More
39m 58s
Sep 2023
200 - Boredom Eating
If you always turn to food when you're feeling bored, this episode is for you. We discuss in detail what the feelings of boredom come from and why it makes us want to eat, as well as some strategies to not turn to food when you're feeling bored.  Join The Vibe Club Waitlist 
24m 33s
Oct 2023
131. Why does life feel boring?
<p>We have all had that experience of feeling bored with our everyday life, whereby we look around and our daily experiences have lost some of the colour and excitement. Why is that the case? Psychology can provide some explanations including: </p> <ul> <li>A lack of novelty and ... Show More
32m 18s
Oct 2022
Why We Need To Be Bored
This podcast is SO BORING. Actually, it's about why being bored can be used as a strategy to help your brain relax.   Want to improve your mental health? Put that phone down, don't answer that text or email, and let yourself be bored.   Host: Rebecca Hintze Guest Speaker: Shane H ... Show More
35m 23s
May 2023
Boredom
<p>One must imagine Sisyphus…bored. Take a break from boredom and listen to episode 78 of Overthink as David and Ellie guide you through the fabulously idle realm of this “bestial, indefinable affliction.” They discuss the peaceful highs and painful lows of their middle school su ... Show More
58m 3s