Last week I attended a workshop titled “The Most Boring Workshop Ever” by Dr. Laura Minze. I was extremely interested in this workshop because I specialize in working with kids diagnosed with ADHD, and I, myself, complained non-stop of feeling bored when I was a child.  I distinctly remember one time complaining to my mother that I was bored, and she told me to go find something to do. So, I got some construction paper and made a hat with “I’m Bored” written across the front.  What I learned from the workshop was the neurological importance of boredom. It can be neurologically linked to increased creativity. I tend to believe I am a fairly creative person. So, I guess I owe some appreciation to my childhood boredom! Dr. Minze also discussed a trend we are seeing in today’s youth of increased boredom proneness i.e. intolerance to boredom. The is a more “trait-like” state, not a feeling state, that kids are experiencing in a wide variety of settings. We need to equip our children with the tools to be able to tolerate not being in a state of continual stimulation. Some practical applications for this are to teach them how to be mindful, grounded, and attend to their boredom.

I have attached a youtube video that she shared with us to give you a bit more information of boredom.