That doesn’t mean you should never scroll through funny clips on your phone. But it does mean you should do so in moderation.
Sarkis says it can be good to balance the constant flow of technological stimulation with, well, intentional bouts of boredom.
“A lot of people have reached a saturation point with social media, and we’re looking for ways to incorporate staying in the present moment,” she says. “We know that mindfulness does have research behind it showing that it can help improve quality of life.”
Plus, she says, processing feelings is an important life skill. Numbing yourself with technology can get in the way of that.
“Before we had social media, we did sometimes just sit and process things,” she says. “That’s a big part of life, is just not doing things.”
How to meditate properly
So, how should one go about “rawdogging boredom”? Well, turning to some basic meditation principles can help. Here are some meditation tips mindfulness experts previously shared with USA TODAY:
Lose distractions and get comfortable. “Make sure that you’re in a quiet setting, free from distractions and that you wear comfortable clothing – you shouldn’t feel constricted in any way,” clinical psychologist Juanita Guerra said.Choose a specific period of time. “If someone is new to meditation, I suggest that they start small and begin with a short, simple practice,” said Danielle Casioppo, a meditation, yoga and mindfulness instructor and coordinator at Yale University. “Try to set a timer for two minutes to start off because most people are not prepared to sit for 30 or 45 minutes in silence in the beginning.”Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. “Sit comfortably and follow the inhale and exhale of your breathing. Then, when the timer goes off, end the practice,” Casioppo said.Increase the length of future meditation sessions until you find a duration and technique that works for you. “Repeat this brief practice throughout the day as needed and gradually increase the time as desired,” Casioppo said. “It’s a learnable skill, something that takes practice and patience.”
