From Boredom to Flow

A comfortable routine can turn on us, leaving our creativity stifled, dulling us to other possibilities. Lethargic and sleepwalking through life, boredom soon arrives. At the other end of the spectrum, we have those bungee-jumping thrill-seeking people. Tired of sexual escapades, gambling, and rock climbing, they might self-medicate to starve off the tedium. Then there are drugs that can stimulate many feelings: euphoria, depression, anxiety and even fear. In each case, the goal is to stimulate the brain’s dopamine reward pathway.

Psychologists tell us that the cure for chronic tedium is not to switch to constant high-sensation thrills. There is a sweet spot between boredom and anxiety called flow. As Dr. Richard Friedman writes:

“Flow happens when a person’s skills and talent perfectly match the challenge of an activity: playing in the zone, where there is total and unself-conscious absorption in the activity. Make the task too challenging and anxiety results; make it too easy and boredom emerges. Flow gets to the heart of fun. It’s not hard to see why the enforced tranquility of a Caribbean vacation could be a dreadful bore for a workaholic but bliss for a couch potato: temperament, as well as talent, must match the activity.”