Boredom & the Brain
This brain chemical drops when we’re bored, making us seek excitement.
What is dopamine?
Teens who are often bored are more likely to try this common legal substance.
What is alcohol?
Instead of alcohol, people can do these activities to feel less bored.
What are hobbies, exercise, or socializing?
Many people drink more of this during free time at home or parties.
What is alcohol?
Being stuck at home with nothing to do can cause this feeling.
What is boredom?
This part of the brain helps control impulses, which can fail when boredom strikes.
What is the prefrontal cortex?
College students who are bored sometimes misuse these prescription stimulants to stay awake.
What are Adderall or other stimulants?
Mindfulness or meditation can help reduce cravings for this.
What is drugs or alcohol?
Teens might try this at parties or with friends out of boredom.
What are drugs or vaping?
Having no friends to hang out with or socialize can make people feel this.
What is loneliness?
People who are easily bored are said to have high boredom p____.
What is proneness?
People who are bored may engage in this type of behavior, like driving recklessly.
What is risky behavior?
Volunteering, learning a new skill, or joining a club are examples of this type of coping.
Volunteering, learning a new skill, or joining a club are examples of this type of coping.
Playing too much of this can make teens more likely to use substances out of boredom.
What are video games?
Repeating the same tasks at work or school can lead to this.
What is monotony?
When the brain’s reward system is under-stimulated, people may turn to this for a quick “boost.”
What are drugs or alcohol?
Using substances to cope with boredom or negative feelings is called this.
What is self-medication?
This type of therapy teaches people how to handle boredom without using substances.
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
During the pandemic, many turned to these specific substances to cope with boredom.
What is alcohol or cannabis?
Lack of exciting activities or stimulation often makes people feel this.
What is restlessness?
Improving this skill can help people resist risky behaviors when bored.
What is self-control?
Chronic boredom in adolescence can increase the risk of this later in life.
What is substance use disorder?
Strengthening this personal trait helps people avoid using substances when bored.
What is resilience?
Watching too much TV or scrolling social media can sometimes lead to trying these.
What are substances or drugs?
When someone has no clear goals or purpose, they often experience this.
What is idleness?