Why ‘Raw-Dogging Boredom’ Is a Bad Idea for Your Mental Health

The allure of doing absolutely nothing – intentionally seeking out boredom – has become a peculiar trend, particularly among younger generations. Dubbed “raw-dogging boredom,” this practice involves deliberately resisting stimulation, often showcased on platforms like TikTok, even during potentially tedious situations like long-haul flights. But while the impulse to disconnect and perhaps even find a novel form of mental space is understandable, experts caution that actively inviting boredom into your life is unlikely to be beneficial, and may even be detrimental to mental wellbeing. The question isn’t whether we can tolerate boredom, but whether we should intentionally seek it out.

Chronic Boredom: A Risk to Mental Health

The potential downsides of prolonged boredom are well-documented. A substantial body of research links chronic boredom to a range of negative mental health outcomes, including increased rates of depression and anxiety. Beyond mood disorders, studies have too associated boredom with a higher propensity for substance abuse, including both alcohol and drug use. This isn’t simply a matter of correlation; the experience of boredom itself appears to contribute to these risks. Researchers have identified a complex interplay between boredom, impulsivity, and sensation-seeking behaviors, suggesting that boredom can lower the threshold for engaging in risky activities.

The negative effects aren’t limited to psychological wellbeing. The concept of sensory deprivation, an extreme form of “doing nothing,” has been studied since the 1950s, and consistently demonstrates adverse effects. These range from hallucinations and agitation to increased aggression. The deliberate isolation and lack of stimulation inherent in sensory deprivation – and, to a lesser extent, in “raw-dogging boredom” – are fundamentally at odds with human needs for social connection and environmental engagement. Organizations like Solitary Watch actively campaign against the harmful effects of solitary confinement, highlighting the psychological toll of prolonged isolation and sensory restriction.

Beyond Performance: Why the Misunderstanding?

Much of the “raw-dogging boredom” trend appears to be performative, shared on social media as a challenge or a demonstration of resilience. But setting aside the motivations for broadcasting boredom, it’s important to understand why the concept itself is so often misconstrued. Many participants seem to be seeking a meditative state, a way to disconnect from the constant stimulation of modern life, particularly social media. Still, as some commentators have pointed out, meditation and boredom are fundamentally different experiences.

While meditation can initially feel boring, its purpose is active – to cultivate self-awareness, calm the mind, and regulate emotions. Boredom, is a signal. It’s a prompt to seek out meaningful activity, to engage skills and talents, and to alleviate the feeling of emptiness. Boredom’s ultimate goal is self-elimination, driving us towards engagement. This distinction is crucial. Simply enduring boredom doesn’t offer the same benefits as actively cultivating mindfulness through meditation.

Creativity and the Myth of Empty Space

Another common misconception is that boredom fosters creativity. The idea is that a lack of stimulation allows the mind to wander, leading to novel insights, and ideas. While a degree of mental space can be conducive to creative thinking, boredom itself doesn’t magically unlock creative potential. Creativity requires learning, practice, and the application of skills. Boredom merely signals the need for a different activity.

If someone already possesses creative outlets, boredom might prompt them to engage in those activities – perhaps writing a song about the experience, as one artist did. But the boredom didn’t provide the skills to write the song; it simply motivated the artist to use the skills they already had. Similarly, if the goal is to disconnect from devices, meditation is a far more effective strategy than simply sitting in unproductive emptiness.

What Boredom Really Tells Us

So, what’s driving this trend? It may be, at its core, a form of performative endurance, a challenge to see how much boredom one can withstand. It’s a demonstration of resilience, a way to signal to others a willingness to confront discomfort. But if we truly listen to what boredom is telling us, we’ll move away from intentionally seeking it out and instead focus on finding activities that provide purpose and meaning.

The San Francisco 49ers’ recent debut in Melbourne, featuring Robert Irwin, is a quality example of actively seeking engagement and excitement – the opposite of “raw-dogging boredom.” The event generated significant buzz, demonstrating the human desire for connection and stimulation. This contrasts sharply with the deliberate emptiness of the boredom trend.

the pursuit of boredom is a misdirected effort. It’s a rejection of the very things that create life meaningful – connection, purpose, and engagement. Rather than inviting boredom into our lives, we should strive to find activities that fulfill our needs and allow us to thrive. The top TikTokers in Australia in 2026, as highlighted by Favikon, all demonstrate this principle – they’ve found ways to connect with audiences and create engaging content, actively combating the potential for boredom in their own lives and the lives of others.

What comes next: Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term psychological effects of intentionally induced boredom. However, existing evidence strongly suggests that prioritizing meaningful engagement and actively combating chronic boredom is essential for maintaining mental wellbeing. Individuals struggling with persistent boredom should explore activities that align with their interests and values, and seek professional support if needed.