We recently compiled a list of the
Impact of Boredom on Wellness
One of the most significant impacts of COVID-19 was its effect on mobility. The disease compelled students, office workers, and even businesses to switch to remote setups in the space of weeks. Even after restrictions were lifted all over the world, people continued to embrace their mundane and monotonous routines. Although there are many who have welcomed this change, cherishing the ability to spend increased time with their families, it has also resulted in making a vast number of people shrink further and further into the confines of their homes. According to a survey by Groupon, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN), 9 out of 10 people felt bored in quarantine.
While boredom might seem nothing more than an inconvenience, the truth is that it can have significant repercussions on human wellness. French philosopher Sartre termed boredom as the leprosy of the soul due to the lack of meaning it instills in one’s life. In recent years, studies by sources such as Columbia University have shown that chronic boredom is associated with impulsivity and risky behavior. Moreover, people who are bored easily are susceptible to depression, anxiety, anger, academic failure, poor work performance, loneliness, and isolation. Thus, being deprived of an activity even as trivial as going out for groceries or meeting up with a friend can result in stress. Consequently, during the pandemic, a study by Groupon, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) showed that 74% of people said they would never take ordinary experiences for granted ever again. According to Groupon, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN), these included things such as eating at a restaurant, getting a haircut outside of their garage, going to the movies, or taking a group fitness class.
Recently, Pixar, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) released its latest animated blockbuster Inside Out 2. Building on the same theme as the original installment, Inside Out 2 personifies the core emotions of 11-year-old Riley, and their influence on her actions. In the movie, Pixar has introduced several new emotions, including Ennui, which portrays Riley’s lack of excitement towards events in the movie. The movie mostly portrays Ennui in a secondary role in comparison to other emotions such as Anxiety. Although it highlights some positive impacts of Ennui, it also provides a glimpse of how indecisive and despondent one can become if one lets boredom influence one’s decisions.
Boredom Across the US
Our article on the Most Boring Cities in the US shows how the US is renowned for its festivals, celebrations, and sporting events. In fact, the country currently accounted for 10.5% of the global sports tourism market in 2023. However, not all US citizens have access to the same level of sporting entertainment. Some states offer little to no sporting entertainment, making them some of…