Scientists: You Really Can Be Bored To Death
By Wyatt Earp | February 9, 2010
Oh, that’s just fantastic. Do you hear that, everyone? Reading this blog is now officially hazardous to your health. Of course, by the same token work, baseball, and any film starring Zach Braff are also hazardous to your health.
The irony of this story is that scientists – usually regarded as the most boring of all people – spent their time and energy on a study about boredom. Wouldn’t it behoove a scientist to participate in a study about bacon, boobies, and beer?
Boredom could be shaving years off your life, scientists have found. Researchers say that people who complain of boredom are more likely to die young, and that those who experienced ‘high levels’ of tedium are more than two-and-a-half times as likely to die from heart disease or stroke than those satisfied with their lot.
More than 7,000 civil servants were studied over 25 years – and those who said they were bored were nearly 40 per cent more likely to have died by the end of study than those who did not. The scientists said this could be a result of those unhappy with their lives turning to such unhealthy habits as smoking or drinking, which would cut their life expectancy.
Specialists from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London, looked at data from 7,524 civil servants aged between 35 and 55 who were interviewed between 1985 and 1988 about their levels of boredom. They then found out whether they had died by April last year. Researcher Martin Shipley said: ‘The findings on heart disease show there was sufficient evidence to say there is a link with boredom.
The good news is that this seems to directly affect civil servants, so I should be fine . . . Oh crap.
Topics: Snarkasm | 8 Comments »
How do account for the clerks in City Hall, who have been employed for forty years, but haven’t done any actual work for the past twenty? (Giving attitude and eye rolling doesn’t count.)
Unless that was their cardio.
I guess I will be a casualty soon.
I flatline almost every day.
If that’s the case, I am slowly and systematically killing everyone I know.
“Boredom could be shaving years off your life, scientists have found.”
True; I probably lost a couple of years from my life by listening to part of the State of the Union speech by Obama.
Fortunately, I’m a carrier! Heh.
Mrs. Crankipants – You answered your own question. Cardio.
USAdmiral – I’ll beat you there. Trust me.
Jon – CLEAR!
Crankipants – Okay, now that’s funny!
BobG – Maybe we can prosecute him for mass murder?
Proof – You and me both, sir.