Why Raw-Dogging Boredom Is Not a Good Idea

"There are so many reasons why it is not a good idea to welcome more boredom into our lives any more than it already lives there. First among these is the mountain of data showing that chronic boredom is bad for our mental health. It is associated with elevated levels of depression and anxiety, and higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, among all manner of other ills."

"We have known since the 1950s that an even more extreme manner of doing nothing—sensory deprivation—is also associated with negative outcomes, ranging from hallucinations, to agitation and increased aggression. There's a reason why many organizations fight against the cruelty of solitary confinement. Doing nothing, lacking in sensory stimulation, and being isolated from others is an abnormal condition, one we would do well to avoid."

Chronic boredom negatively impacts mental health, correlating with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other psychological issues. Intentionally inviting boredom into life through trends like raw-dogging—deliberately doing nothing without stimulation—contradicts evidence showing such practices are harmful. Research since the 1950s demonstrates that extreme sensory deprivation causes hallucinations, agitation, and increased aggression. Boredom serves as a signal prompting action and engagement, not an invitation to embrace more inactivity. Rather than celebrating the performative trend of raw-dogging boredom, individuals should recognize boredom as a call to meaningful engagement and activity.

Read at Psychology Today