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
Oct 8
Dyslexia myths, misconceptions and facts, with Tim Odegard, PhD
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, yet it’s still widely misunderstood. Tim Odegard, PhD, talks about how dyslexia is diagnosed and defined; his own experience growing up with dyslexia; how kids at risk can be identified early; what interventions work best; ... Show More
39m 5s
Oct 1
Lefties, righties and mixed-handers: The psychology of brain asymmetry, with Sebastian Ocklenburg, PhD
Left-handers make up about 10.6 percent of the world’s population. Sebastian Ocklenburg, PhD, talks about why handedness and other brain asymmetries exist; the genetic and environmental factors that influence handedness; whether there’s any truth to the stereotype that lefties ar ... Show More
36m 46s
Sep 24
Teens, AI and the science of risky decisions, with Valerie Reyna, PhD
You might think the best way to make decisions is to know all the facts. But psychologists’ research suggests that getting the “gist” – the core meaning behind the facts – is more important than focusing on every last detail. Valerie Reyna, PhD, talks about why gist matters; how ... Show More
34m 33s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2022
Why do we get bored?
“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 wondering t ... Show More
30m 27s
Mar 2016
Episode 23: Boredom
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, wit ... Show More
19m 39s
Jul 2023
Why do we get bored?
“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 wondering t ... 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?
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, so I wanted to explore it more.  In ... 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?
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:  A lack of novelty and new experiences ... 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
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 summe ... Show More
58m 3s