By: Piper Blackburn '28

  According to Merriam-Webster, “Boredom” is “the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest.” However, most of society defines it as a worldwide, unsolvable nightmare. And so, to aid this boredom pandemic, social media is one of the quickest and most satisfying ways to solve it today. Social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat provide convenient remedies to boredom. And although technology and social media may offer instant gratification, always relying on these apps to solve boredom can develop serious problems and issues for physical and emotional health. This article will dive deep into why we turn to technology when bored, the effects of using phones for a boredom cure, and three alternatives to beat boredom instead of scrolling.

       Before discussing ways to beat boredom without social media, it is essential to know why people all over the globe face the temptation of turning to their phones when bored. Research shows that “the instant gratification provided by smartphones can be addictive. One study found that checking our phones releases dopamine in our brains, which creates a sense of pleasure and reward” (Yitz Diena). This trigger of dopamine that occurs almost immediately drives so many individuals to turn to their phones as a cure for boredom and a feeling of accomplishment that can be achieved with just lifting a finger. Furthermore, notifications worsen this urge to check our phones, and “when we hear a notification sound or feel our phone vibrate, our brain interprets it as something that demands immediate attention” (Bastow). With this added signal that calls our brains’ attention, it may feel as if it is almost impossible to disconnect from our phones when we are bored.

        Although our phones may provide short-term entertainment, using social media as a remedy to boredom can have long-term adverse effects on mental and physical health. The term "tech neck" refers to a negative effect of using smartphones, in which a person’s neck muscles can become tight due to looking down at their phone for prolonged periods. Along with this, the light emitted from phones can affect a person’s circadian rhythm, disrupting their internal clock and sleep schedule (Newsom and Singh). Not only can physical health be affected by phones, but mental health can also be affected. Excessive smartphone use can contribute to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as lead to a feeling of loneliness or FOMO, the fear of missing out. To avoid these effects, turning to alternative methods to cure boredom can lessen screen time and chances of developing detrimental physical and mental health problems. 

        One different option to relieve boredom is taking up a new hobby. Numerous different hobbies can be pursued depending on personal interests. For example, learning a new instrument, studying a new language, reading, or doing puzzles can not only be fun and interesting but also positively stimulate your mind. Recreations such as art, dancing, or writing allow you to express yourself through different creative art forms. Using art to voice feelings or opinions improves self-esteem and helps process complex feelings. Lastly, baking, gardening, and photography are relaxing methods to cure boredom that produce a fulfilling outcome, such as a new pastry that can be eaten or pictures that can be framed. These hobbies have a positive effect on the mind and body, and are more rewarding than spending hours at a time on smartphones.

        The inclination that countless people experience to be on social media often stems from the desire to socialize with others. However, instead of only relying on social media for interactions, hanging out with friends or going to events and meeting new people are great alternatives to this. Going out with friends to places such as a cafe, mall, or park gives time to catch up and debrief in a relaxing way. In addition, going to events like concerts or festivals is a thrilling activity to socialize with others. On the other hand, signing up for cooking, fitness, or art classes is a slower-paced and calming method to alleviate boredom. 

        The third and final way to beat boredom is by completing a productive task for school, work, or at home. Although this may seem least appealing, being fruitful and finishing tasks such as chores or homework can give a sense of accomplishment, ultimately releasing dopamine in your brain and giving a gratification that is better than receiving it from a source of social media or technology. Doing a productive activity is not only suitable for dopamine production and boredom, but it also gives a satisfying outcome that social media does not.

         Boredom can feel like a never-ending and hopeless cycle, but turning away from social media and toward fulfilling and social activities can completely change this perspective. Although smartphones often tempt us because of their instant gratification, curing boredom through social media-free methods, such as discovering new hobbies, socializing with friends, or being productive, allows us to truly overcome boredom, rather than mask it with a temporary and insufficient approach. Beating boredom should not be about passing the time with our phones, but embracing the time to explore new and engaging activities that highlight creativity, expression, and interaction.