It 's one of the things we whine about most – but it ’ s actually good to be bored . Studies show that allowing the mind to wander fuels creativity . Researcher Sandi Mann said that far from being a waste of time , being a little bit bored can actually be good for us . And she warned that our modern-day obsession with smartphones and other gadgets could be stifling this creativity because time we would now have spent daydreaming is now taken up with emailing , texting or surfing the internet . Similarly , children could benefit from having some time to themselves , rather than being constantly entertained . Creativity : Children could benefit from getting a bit bored , rather than being constantly entertained . To prove her theory , Dr Mann gave 80 adults two polystyrene cups and asked them to come up with as many uses for them as possible . Half of the men and women got straight to work . The other half spent 15 minutes writing out phone numbers first . As a result , they came up more ideas about how to use the cups , the British Psychological Society magazine , the Psychologist reports . A second experiment showed a repetitive reading task to be even more effective at sparking the imagination . Dr Mann , of the University of Central Lancashire , said this may be because reading requires less concentration than writing , allowing more scope for daydreaming . She said : ‘ I am acutely aware that being bored is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be . ‘ It is good to be bored sometimes . ‘ I think up so many ideas when I am commuting to and from work . Daydreaming : Our obsession with gadgets has left little time for getting bored and daydreaming , Dr Sandi Mann ( pictured ) has warned . ‘ This would be dead time , but thanks to the boredom it induces , I come up with all sorts of projects. ’ However , she warned that our love phones and other gadgets means we are in danger of forgetting how to be bored . She said : ‘ No one ever stands waiting for a bus or train without playing on their phone . Whenever we have got a moment to fill , we get our phone out. ’ Dr Mann also believes it is important for children to be bored . She said : ‘ We seem to be afraid of our kids being bored but boredom can lead to creativity and if you stifle the boredom , you stifle the creativity . ‘ I am quite happy when my kids whine that they are bored . ‘ Finding ways to amuse themselves is an important skill. ’ However , it is important not to be too bored . Dr Mann has also showed that bored office workers seek solace in chocolate and alcohol . She said : ‘ It ’ s about finding the right balance . ‘ Too much boredom can be destructive but too many people just don ’ t allow a little bit of boredom into their life . ’
Dr Sandi Mann found those given boring tasks to do were more creative . Says being bored gives people time to daydream and come up with ideas . Dr Mann has also warned obsession with gadgets could stifle creativity . Says people are forgetting how to be bored due to modern-day technology .