OPINION: Importance of Slowing Down

French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal once said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” While this might be a bit of an overstatement, the concept has only become more true since it was first said in 1654. With all the opportunities available today, it seems impossible that anyone could still be bored. And yet, according to PsyPost, “People today report feeling bored more frequently than ever before.” This may be because boredom isn’t necessarily about outside stimuli, but about what’s going on inside the brain. And in order to understand how to stop boredom, one must understand why boredom has been on the rise.
The science behind boredom is very complex, but one key element is dopamine, which plays an important role in balancing pleasure and pain. According to Cleveland Clinic, “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter made in your brain. It plays a role as a ‘reward center’ and in many body functions, including memory, movement, motivation, mood, attention and more.” Furthermore, Medical News Today states, “Dopamine participates indirectly or directly in almost every function that occurs in the central nervous system (CNS), which is the brain and spinal cord. It also influences functions outside of the CNS, such as the immune system and gut-brain axis.”
Since dopamine plays a role in pleasure, it would seem like more dopamine would equate to more happiness, but it’s more complicated than that. Either too much more or too little dopamine can cause issues in the body, from things as common as fatigue, boredom, and low motivation, to conditions as severe as Parkinson’s, ADHD, and depression, according to HealthDirect. While a lot of conditions correlated with dysregulated dopamine are genetic or chemical, dopamine dysregulation can also be environmental. One example is the frequent use of social media, which floods the brain with dopamine, conditioning the body to expect higher levels of dopamine.
In today’s fast-paced, high-stimulating environment, it can be difficult to slow down and act intentionally, but doing so is crucial in improving mental, physical, and emotional health. There are many resources available providing tips and examples for people trying to improve the function of dopamine in their bodies and reduce boredom. Ultimately, though, the goal is to slow down, and it’s as simple as that. To improve your own dopamine function, try to reduce unnecessary stimuli by doing one thing at a time and taking time to do that one thing. Prioritize the most important things, like sleep, healthy habits, and relationships. Focus on quality work, rather than a large quantity of work. Take plenty of breaks between times of high stress by stretching, taking deep breaths, and going on a short walk. One tip is to gradually increase dopamine levels throughout the day, starting with slower, more difficult tasks, and ending the day with the most enjoyable activities.
Ultimately, even though it’s challenging to slow down, it’s the foundation for improving one’s life. Slowing down encourages one to make more intentional choices, to be more present, and be a better person to others. Allowing yourself to be bored allows yourself to be alive, and it’s worth the change.