People higher in extraversion tend to seek out more excitement and stimulation.

Constantly escaping boredom can make it harder to tolerate periods of low stimulation.

Practicing boredom can help people become more flexible in how they respond to it.

Think about the last time you had some downtime. Maybe you were standing in line at the grocery store, sitting in a doctor's waiting room, or waiting for a friend to arrive at a restaurant. What did you do?

If you're like most people, you probably reached for your phone. Within seconds, you were able to check your email, scroll through social media, or catch up on the news. What might once have been a few minutes of quiet downtime is now an opportunity to entertain yourself.

We’ve gotten really good at eliminating boredom from our lives. But what are the costs of constantly seeking out something to occupy our attention?

The Personality Behind Stimulation-Seeking

Some people have a greater appetite for stimulation than others. Although we often associate extraversion with sociability, this trait is actually broader than that. Indeed, those who are higher in extraversion are more inclined to seek out activity and entertainment.

Like all personality traits, extraversion exists on a continuum. Being fairly extraverted is generally seen as a good thing, but at the extremely high end, there can be some consequences. When the drive for stimulation is particularly strong, it can feel nearly........

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