Gen Z are ‘rawdogging boredom’ to fix their attention – does it work?,
A bizarre new trend has emerged on TikTok, in which Gen Z put themselves in timeout to try to fix their attention spans.
Dubbed ‘rawdogging boredom’, users set a timer and simply sit there without any distractions.
‘Rules: no music, no TV, no drink, no phone,’ one user explained in their TikTok video.
This sounds fairly straightforward – and perhaps even a treat for busy people who rarely get a break.
However, many participants have struggled, with one calling it the ‘hardest thing I’ve done in a while.’
So, is this simply a TikTok fad, or is there any science behind it?
According to Dr Sandi Mann, a senior psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, rawdogging boredom actually has many benefits – from sparking creativity to lowering anxiety.
‘[It] might seem like a humorous and slightly bizarre trend. However, there are some real mental–health benefits to gain from it,’ she previously told the Daily Mail.
To take part in the trend, participants first set a timer – with some opting for as long as two hours.
They then simply sit on the floor or on their bed until the time has elapsed, with no distractions (albeit with their phone filming them).
Taking to the comments on some of the videos, many users claim that they would struggle with the challenge.
‘Ooh no I’d be stuck with my thoughts for too long and overthink everything I ever did,’ one user commented.
Another added: ‘I have too many thoughts for this.’
And one joked: ‘just overthink your whole life and every choice you ever made, 15 mins will feel like 2.’
According to Dr Mann, who is also the author of The Science Of Boredom, there are several benefits to the trend.
‘When we give ourselves time away from our phones or other stimuli, we allow our minds to wander, and this can help to spark new ideas and creativity,’ she previously told the Daily Mail when discussing rawdogging flights.
‘Having absolutely nothing to do or distract ourselves with causes us to experience low levels of stimulation.
‘The feeling of being under–stimulated, or bored as it is often called, can feel uncomfortable, and be something we try to avoid.
‘When we force ourselves to sit in this state, our minds therefore begin to look inwards.’
Similar to meditation or mindfulness, when there is a lack of stimulation from the external environment, our brains can fill the void, according to Dr Mann.
‘The firing of networks and connections, jumping from ideas to images to thoughts, becomes less conscious. We stop controlling where our brain is going,’ she explained.
‘This allows us to see things in new ways, and draw on new ideas.’
In one of her previous studies, the psychologist took people from the street and placed them in a room with no stimulation.
Initially, the participants were uncomfortable, but they soon relaxed – and some even found it calming.
‘Taking time to let our brains wander allows us to daydream – both processes are the catalyst for creativity,’ Dr Mann added.
‘In this time, we come up with more creative ideas and different approaches to problem solving. It also provides us with much–needed downtime from the stresses of day–to–day life.’
Dr Daniel Glazer, a clinical psychologist with a special interest in trauma, described rawdogging as a ‘sort of an impromptu meditation session’.
He previously told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s definitely not for everyone, since for some the idea of being trapped in their own head for hours is their worst nightmare.
‘But this forced introspection could provide an opportunity to grapple with thoughts, emotions and self–awareness that our minds typically avoid or suppress when flooded with distractions.
‘So while possibly uncomfortable, disconnecting from inputs may offer certain psychological benefits akin to mindfulness practices.’
