1167: Boredom: Your Nervous Systems Secret Ally Part 2
The Anxiety Coaches Podcast
Gina Ryan
4.6 • 1.8K Ratings
🗓️ 13 August 2025
⏱️ 20 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In today's episode, Gina wraps up her most interesting discussion about boredom and its potential therapeutic potential for those of us with anxiety. An easy to implement practice is included to help you test the waters of using boredom as a tool to help soothe discomfort and anxiety. Listen in and add this essential practice to your anxiety relief toolkit today!
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Quote:
Boredom always precedes a period of great creativity.
-Robert M. Pirsig
Chapters
0:26 Introduction to Boredom
1:43 Hidden Benefits of Boredom
4:04 Practicing Intentional Boredom
7:30 Mini Pause Practice
11:09 Affirmations for Stillness
15:25 Boredom as Space, Not Danger
17:22 Filling the Silence
18:27 Invitation to Share Your Experience
Summary
In this episode of the Anxiety Coaches Podcast, I delve into part two of our exploration on boredom as an unexpected ally for our nervous system. Today, we expand on our previous discussion where we unpacked the significance of boredom in our hyper-stimulated environment. We clarified boredom as a state of mental unrest, distinct from feelings of depression and apathy, and why it triggers discomfort, particularly for those of us grappling with anxiety. Rather than being an adversary, I emphasize that boredom serves as a natural pause, a crucial moment for self-reflection and healing.
As we shift our lens on boredom, I highlight its hidden benefits, which include the chance for our nervous systems to reset and the creation of space for self-exploration, creativity, and problem-solving—elements often overshadowed by constant engagement. Embracing boredom, I argue, can catalyze profound changes in our anxiety levels and overall wellness. The challenge, however, lies in how we can actively integrate periods of stillness and unstructured time into our lives.
I offer practical strategies for practicing boredom, particularly for those who are apprehensive about it. Starting small, I suggest letting your mind wander without the pressure to be productive—the freedom of taking a leisurely, phone-free walk or simply allowing your thoughts to drift. I encourage listeners to engage in intentional moments of boredom, like setting aside five to ten minutes of doing nothing. It might feel uncomfortable initially, as a response to years of overstimulation, but this is part of the unlearning process.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Searching for a romantic summer getaway. Escape with Rich Girl Summer, the new Audible original |
| 0:05.2 | from Lily Chew. The exquisitely talented Philippa Sue, returning to narrate her fifth |
| 0:10.2 | Lily Chew title. This time, Philippa is joined by her real-life husband, Stephen Pasquale, |
| 0:15.5 | set in Toronto's wealthy cottage country, aka the Hamptons of Canada, rich girl Summer follows the story of Valerie, |
| 0:22.1 | a down-on-her-luck event planner posing as a socialite's long-lost daughter, while piecing |
| 0:26.5 | together the secrets surrounding a mysterious family and falling deeper and deeper in love with the |
| 0:31.7 | impossibly hard to read and infuriatingly handsome family assistant, Nico. Caught between pretending to belong |
| 0:38.2 | and unexpectedly finding where she truly fits in, |
| 0:41.3 | Valerie learns her summer is about to get far more complicated |
| 0:44.0 | than she ever planned. |
| 0:45.8 | She's in over her head and head over heels. |
| 0:48.5 | Listen to Rich Girl Summer, now on Audible. |
| 0:51.2 | Go to audible.com slash rich girl summer. |
| 0:53.3 | Music on Audible. Go to Audible.com slash rich girl summer. |
| 1:11.4 | Welcome to the anxiety coaches podcast, a relaxing and informative show where we explore anxiety, panic, and PTSD, sharing how you can overcome them for life. |
| 1:23.7 | Aloha. Welcome back to the anxiety coaches podcast. I'm your host and coach, Gina Ryan, |
| 1:31.7 | and I am so happy to be with you again today as together we can consider the many ways to bring your mind and body back to its natural peace and calm. Welcome back to the anxiety |
| 1:39.0 | coaches podcast and part two of boredom, your nervous system's secret ally. If you missed part one, here's a really |
| 1:49.1 | quick recap. We explored why boredom matters, especially in our overstimulated always-on world. |
| 1:57.4 | We defined boredom as a state of mental restlessness caused by a lack of stimulation, and even more |
| 2:04.0 | importantly, we distinguished boredom from depression and apathy. I also talked about why so many of us, |
| 2:13.2 | especially those with anxiety, try to avoid boredom at all costs. Often boredom feels uncomfortable or even |
... |
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