Boreout syndrome: What to do when boredom makes you sick?

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We know stress is bad for us. But being bored is almost just as bad. What is the cause of the boreout syndrome?
It seems like walking a tightrope to find the optimal workload for oneself. This can then quickly become a problem, both professionally and privately. Although burnout is now common, boredom is also a problem. What is behind it?

Definition of boreout
According to “meinmed,” this is based on the English verb “bored,” which means “to be bored.” According to this, those affected are said to be so under-challenged that they become ill. When one is bored, their body, mind, and soul are in such disarray that they can no longer carry out their daily tasks. After all, the right balance of relaxation and tension is crucial for long-term well-being.

Being under-challenged can be emotionally challenging because you will quickly start to doubt your abilities or circumstances without tasks, goals, and a sense of accomplishment. Humans ultimately want to contribute, no matter what that contribution may be.

If the brain is proverbial neutral or idle, this will lead to stress. Boredom doesn’t feel very good. That’s something you learned as a child. Also, society’s expectation of a person is excellent, as capitalism demands constant employment.

The importance of variety in a professional context was demonstrated by the introduction of assembly line work, where the phenomenon of “boreout” was first identified. Burnout-like symptoms were exacerbated by repetitive tasks and a lack of engagement with the outcome, according to “academics”:

Listlessness, insomnia
Aimlessness
Social withdrawal
Strong dissatisfaction
Panic attacks, irritability
Also, physical symptoms such as:

Gastrointestinal complaints
Headaches
Tension
Dizziness
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What to do against boreout?
Anyone who observes these symptoms and suspects they are becoming bored should think about getting counselling. In order to gradually escape boredom, experts also suggest that people take small but thoughtful steps. However, depending on the severity of the situation, the necessary steps may vary significantly.

For example, a conversation with superiors to discuss areas of responsibility could be a good approach. A professional reorientation or a new job could also help. However, it is not uncommon for the issue to be “bigger” than the job; in this case, coaching or talk therapy may be a useful way to address certain issues in order to create a life that brings more personal fulfilment.