Boredom is common, it's no trivial matter'

The next time you think you're dying of boredom, you just might be. Although boredom is common, it's no trivial matter, claims psychologist John Eastwood of York University, Toronto.

Joint author of a major new paper on the theory of boredom, The Unengaged Mind, his research has found boredom to have close associations with increased drug and alcohol abuse, overeating, depression and anxiety, and a high risk of making mistakes. His theory can be countered by others who believe boredom to be just another in the range of harmless human emotions. That said, why take a chance? Just find a way to entertain yourself.