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Calgary professor details benefit of boredom in new book

It may seem like some moments will never end when you're bored, but according to a University of Calgary professor, there is a surprising benefit to being in this state.

"A lot of people link it with creativity," says Professor Peter Toohey, who just wrote a book titled Boredom: a Lively History, to The Body Odd blog. "A lot of people talk about the value of daydreaming, which can also be the product of boring or mildly boring situations, and your best ideas may come from it."

In the book, Toohey suggests that boredom is a mild form of disgust and not simply a childish emotion. It is temporary, unavoidable and won't cause harm, making it similar in many ways to annoying.

Some people are more prone to being bored due to low levels of dopamine. He says people who score low on the boredom proneness test usually have low amounts.

While boredom was first talked about during the Enlightenment, Toohey argues that our comprehension of the state dates back 3,000 years.

"There's a strange little inscription (in an) Italian town where local people thank one of the dignitaries for saving them from eternal boredom, in Latin. It's from the 2nd century," he tell The Body Odd blog.

Unfortunately, even if you tell someone you're bored and they recommend to "keep busy", Toohey says this doesn't work if you are really bored. He says the greatest way to relieve monotony and boredom is through aerobic exercise.

(CP photo)