(Thumbnail image: The Guardian)
We’ve all heard the expression “bored to death”, right? Well, a London study suggests it might be a literal possibility.
The most shocking finding of the 25-year study is that people who were bored were 37% more likely to die by the end of the study.
We’re looking at reactions from Fox News, The Daily Mail, KCAL, WNYW, and Sott.net.
On FOX News, Psychiatrist Keith Ablow says the problem is real and widespread.
“It’s really true. This is a big study. This is 25 years, over 7000 people. It’s very real. It’s very dangerous and we have to address it. It’s like a public health epidemic, it really is.”
According to the study, people with the highest levels of boredom in their lives are twice as likely to die from heart disease or a stroke. The blog Sott.net has the groups that are most at risk.
“Women [are] more than twice as likely to suffer than men. Younger employees and those with more menial jobs were also more prone to boredom.”
In Los Angeles, CBS affiliate KCAL points out that boredom alone isn’t going to kill you.
“… but it does contribute to behaviors that may increase your risk of dying early, like smoking and drinking”
On The Daily Mail website, Psychologist Graham Price says the study found a link between boredom and death, but not a cause and effect.
“Are these people turning to drink and drugs because they are bored or because they have certain characteristics? For many people who are unmotivated or uninspired by life, or maybe have a tendency towards depression, the way out of it is to change their focus away from themselves…”
But anchors on New York’s FOX 5 say despite the study’s findings, boredom is not such a bad thing.
“All that is kind of depressing. It makes sense though, I kind of like doing nothing, I think it's kind of a good thing everyone once in a while. Sometimes, right, it’s a balance.”
So, do you believe the study’s findings? Can you really get bored to death?
Writer: Marlena Kopacz
Producer:
