
The Upside of Downtime
Why Boredom Is Good
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $16.36
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Karen Cass
-
By:
-
Sandi Mann
About this listen
Are we living in an age where we are more boredom-prone? Or are other people boring us? Or could we be those boring people? In our current information age, we are constantly connected to technology and have so many varied ways to spend our leisure time that we should all surely never know what boredom feels like.
Yet boredom appears to be on the rise; it seems that the more we have to stimulate us, the more stimulation we crave. In a quest to relieve our boredom, we engage in dangerous risk-taking, from extreme sports to drugs to gambling to antisocial behavior, or we overindulge in shopping or eating.
The Upside of Downtime explores the causes and consequences of boredom in the fast-paced 21st century. Parents are desperate to keep their children entertained during every waking moment, the education system is geared towards interactivity, and attention spans are dropping as we use multiple devices at all times. But the world of work can be increasingly repetitive and routine, and we are losing the ability to tolerate this everyday tedium.
Using Sandi Mann's own groundbreaking research into boredom, this audiobook tells the story of how we act, react and cope when we are bored and argues that there is a positive side to boredom. It can be a catalyst for humour, fun, reflection, creativity and inspiration. The radical solution to the 'boredom problem' is to harness it rather than try to avoid it. Allowing yourself time away from constant stimuli can enrich your life. We should all embrace our boredom and see the upside of our downtime.
©2016 Sandi Mann (P)2016 Audible, LtdListeners also enjoyed...
-
Bored and Brilliant
- How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self
- By: Manoush Zomorodi
- Narrated by: Manoush Zomorodi
- Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2015 Manoush Zomorodi, host of WNYC's popular podcast and radio show Note to Self, led tens of thousands of listeners through an experiment to help them unplug from their devices, get bored, jump-start their creativity, and change their lives. Bored and Brilliant builds on that experiment to show us how to rethink our gadget use to live better and smarter in this new digital ecosystem. In this fascinating new audiobook, Manoush explains the connection between boredom and original thinking.
-
-
Repackaged podcast segment
- By Chad on 06-02-18
By: Manoush Zomorodi
-
Autism in Children
- Demystifying the Autism Spectrum, What That Means to You, Your Child, and How to Help Them Develop Their Communication, Reasoning, and Emotional Skills
- By: Jenna Kaye
- Narrated by: Lisa Reichert
- Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unlock the mysteries of autism, understand what it means for your child, and discover how to help them unleash their potential starting today. Are you struggling to understand your child’s autism diagnosis and don’t know how to help them? Are you worried about their development, communication, and social skills? Perhaps you are not sure how to best support them in developing their reasoning and emotional skills.
-
-
Practical, caring advice for parents
- By Chuzpah on 12-12-23
By: Jenna Kaye
-
Parfit
- A Philosopher and His Mission to Save Morality
- By: David Edmonds
- Narrated by: Zeb Soanes
- Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Derek Parfit (1942–2017) is the most famous philosopher most people have never heard of. Widely regarded as one of the greatest moral thinkers of the past hundred years, Parfit was anything but a public intellectual. Yet his ideas have shaped the way philosophers think about things that affect us all: equality, altruism, what we owe to future generations, and even what it means to be a person. In Parfit, David Edmonds presents the first biography of an intriguing, obsessive, and eccentric genius.
-
-
Loved it
- By Anna Karenina on 07-05-23
By: David Edmonds
-
Give Them the Words
- Improving Communication for Exceptional Kids: Feelings Emotions Learning Styles Self-Awareness Parental Guidance
- By: Kim Gallo
- Narrated by: Skye Alley
- Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Give Them The Words is a must-listen for anyone who is seeking practical advice and actionable strategies to improve communication for exceptional kids. Written by Speech Language Pathologist and mother Kim Gallo, this thought-provoking, easy-to-follow, and pragmatic guide draws upon Gallo's expertise in early intervention and her previous published works.
-
-
Powerful Communication Guide for Kids
- By Nazari on 08-17-23
By: Kim Gallo
-
The Science of Self-Discipline
- The Willpower, Mental Toughness, and Self-Control to Resist Temptation and Achieve Your Goals
- By: Peter Hollins
- Narrated by: Peter Hollins
- Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Your best intentions are not enough. Learn how to scientifically engineer a disciplined existence, become relentless, and never give up. Whatever you want in your life, self-discipline is the missing piece. Goals will remain dreams if you make the mistake of relying on motivation and your best drawn plans. The Science of Self-Discipline is a deep look into what allows us to resist our worst impulses and simply execute, achieve, produce, and focus. Every principle is scientifically-driven and dissected to as be actionable and helpful as possible. You'll learn how top performers consistently exercise self-discipline, as well as what drives us on an instinctual, psychological level to act.
-
-
Same old tired rehash of studies and common sense
- By A. Molnar on 07-12-18
By: Peter Hollins
-
Life Is Hard
- How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way
- By: Kieran Setiya
- Narrated by: Kieran Setiya
- Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is no cure for the human condition: life is hard. But Kieran Setiya believes philosophy can help. He offers us a map for navigating rough terrain, from personal trauma to the injustice and absurdity of the world.
-
-
Solid
- By Jason Blum on 10-24-22
By: Kieran Setiya
-
Bored and Brilliant
- How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self
- By: Manoush Zomorodi
- Narrated by: Manoush Zomorodi
- Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2015 Manoush Zomorodi, host of WNYC's popular podcast and radio show Note to Self, led tens of thousands of listeners through an experiment to help them unplug from their devices, get bored, jump-start their creativity, and change their lives. Bored and Brilliant builds on that experiment to show us how to rethink our gadget use to live better and smarter in this new digital ecosystem. In this fascinating new audiobook, Manoush explains the connection between boredom and original thinking.
-
-
Repackaged podcast segment
- By Chad on 06-02-18
By: Manoush Zomorodi
-
Autism in Children
- Demystifying the Autism Spectrum, What That Means to You, Your Child, and How to Help Them Develop Their Communication, Reasoning, and Emotional Skills
- By: Jenna Kaye
- Narrated by: Lisa Reichert
- Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unlock the mysteries of autism, understand what it means for your child, and discover how to help them unleash their potential starting today. Are you struggling to understand your child’s autism diagnosis and don’t know how to help them? Are you worried about their development, communication, and social skills? Perhaps you are not sure how to best support them in developing their reasoning and emotional skills.
-
-
Practical, caring advice for parents
- By Chuzpah on 12-12-23
By: Jenna Kaye
-
Parfit
- A Philosopher and His Mission to Save Morality
- By: David Edmonds
- Narrated by: Zeb Soanes
- Length: 13 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Derek Parfit (1942–2017) is the most famous philosopher most people have never heard of. Widely regarded as one of the greatest moral thinkers of the past hundred years, Parfit was anything but a public intellectual. Yet his ideas have shaped the way philosophers think about things that affect us all: equality, altruism, what we owe to future generations, and even what it means to be a person. In Parfit, David Edmonds presents the first biography of an intriguing, obsessive, and eccentric genius.
-
-
Loved it
- By Anna Karenina on 07-05-23
By: David Edmonds
-
Give Them the Words
- Improving Communication for Exceptional Kids: Feelings Emotions Learning Styles Self-Awareness Parental Guidance
- By: Kim Gallo
- Narrated by: Skye Alley
- Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Give Them The Words is a must-listen for anyone who is seeking practical advice and actionable strategies to improve communication for exceptional kids. Written by Speech Language Pathologist and mother Kim Gallo, this thought-provoking, easy-to-follow, and pragmatic guide draws upon Gallo's expertise in early intervention and her previous published works.
-
-
Powerful Communication Guide for Kids
- By Nazari on 08-17-23
By: Kim Gallo
-
The Science of Self-Discipline
- The Willpower, Mental Toughness, and Self-Control to Resist Temptation and Achieve Your Goals
- By: Peter Hollins
- Narrated by: Peter Hollins
- Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Your best intentions are not enough. Learn how to scientifically engineer a disciplined existence, become relentless, and never give up. Whatever you want in your life, self-discipline is the missing piece. Goals will remain dreams if you make the mistake of relying on motivation and your best drawn plans. The Science of Self-Discipline is a deep look into what allows us to resist our worst impulses and simply execute, achieve, produce, and focus. Every principle is scientifically-driven and dissected to as be actionable and helpful as possible. You'll learn how top performers consistently exercise self-discipline, as well as what drives us on an instinctual, psychological level to act.
-
-
Same old tired rehash of studies and common sense
- By A. Molnar on 07-12-18
By: Peter Hollins
-
Life Is Hard
- How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way
- By: Kieran Setiya
- Narrated by: Kieran Setiya
- Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is no cure for the human condition: life is hard. But Kieran Setiya believes philosophy can help. He offers us a map for navigating rough terrain, from personal trauma to the injustice and absurdity of the world.
-
-
Solid
- By Jason Blum on 10-24-22
By: Kieran Setiya
-
ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer’s World, 3rd Edition
- A Hunter in a Farmer's World
- By: Thom Hartmann, Michael Popkin - foreword
- Narrated by: Robin Douglas
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With 10 percent of the Western world’s children suspected of having Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADHD, and a growing number of adults self-diagnosing after decades of struggle, the question must be raised: How could Nature make such a “mistake”? In this updated edition of his groundbreaking classic, Thom Hartmann explains that people with ADHD are not abnormal, disordered, or dysfunctional, but simply “hunters in a farmer’s world.”
-
-
it was decent
- By Drew on 11-19-20
By: Thom Hartmann, and others
-
Indistractable
- How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life
- By: Nir Eyal, Julie Li
- Narrated by: Nir Eyal
- Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Indistractable, Eyal reveals the hidden psychology driving us to distraction. He describes why solving the problem is not as simple as swearing off our devices: Abstinence is impractical and often makes us want more. Eyal lays bare the secret of finally doing what you say you will do with a four-step, research-backed model. Indistractable reveals the key to getting the best out of technology, without letting it get the best of us.
-
-
Nothing new...
- By Erica on 12-24-19
By: Nir Eyal, and others
-
ADHD 2.0
- New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction - from Childhood Through Adulthood
- By: Edward M. Hallowell M.D., John J. Ratey M.D.
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Now, most people have heard of ADHD and know someone who may have it. But lost in the discussion of both childhood and adult diagnosis of ADHD is the potential upside: Many hugely successful entrepreneurs and highly creative people attribute their achievements to ADHD. Also unknown to most are the recent research developments, including innovations that give a clearer understanding of the ADHD brain in action.
-
-
Wonderful but beware heavy on product placement
- By Amazingon Customer on 01-13-21
By: Edward M. Hallowell M.D., and others
-
Unmasking Autism
- Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
- By: Devon Price PhD
- Narrated by: Devon Price PhD
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Unmasking Autism, Dr. Devon Price shares their personal experience with masking and blends history, social science research, prescriptions, and personal profiles to tell a story of neurodivergence that has thus far been dominated by those on the outside looking in. For Dr. Price and many others, Autism is a deep source of uniqueness and beauty. Unfortunately, living in a neurotypical world means it can also be a source of incredible alienation and pain.
-
-
Disappointing
- By Debra M. Givin on 11-12-22
By: Devon Price PhD
-
The Self-Driven Child
- The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control over Their Lives
- By: William Stixrud PhD, Ned Johnson
- Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many of us know we're putting too much pressure on our kids - and on ourselves - but how do we get off this crazy train? We want our children to succeed, to be their best, and to do their best, but what if they are not on board? A few years ago, Ned Johnson and Bill Stixrud started noticing the same problem from different angles: even high-performing kids were coming to them acutely stressed and lacking any real motivation. Many complained that they had no real control over their lives.
-
-
Alt title: Okay ideas to help kids of rich parents
- By S. Ma on 08-10-22
By: William Stixrud PhD, and others
-
The Highly Sensitive Person
- By: Elaine N. Aron
- Narrated by: Barbara Caruso
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., is a world-renowned psychologist and speaker. The Highly Sensitive Person is an in-depth look at characteristics that define sensitivity. Through self-assessment tests and techniques, Aron shows listeners how to identify their own personality traits. This exceptional book can lead to remarkable results for many who suffer from constant stress and anxiety.
-
-
Highly Scientific
- By Steph on 01-07-10
By: Elaine N. Aron
-
Permission to Feel
- Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive
- By: Marc Brackett Ph.D.
- Narrated by: Marc Brackett Ph.D.
- Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This program is read by the author.
Marc Brackett is a professor in Yale University’s Child Study Center and founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. In his 25 years as an “emotion scientist”, he has developed a remarkably effective plan to improve the lives of children and adults - a blueprint for understanding our emotions and using them wisely so that they help, rather than hinder, our success and well-being. The core of his approach is a legacy from his childhood, from an astute uncle who gave him permission to feel.
-
-
Learn to Read
- By Stonerchick on 04-19-20
-
Chatter
- The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It
- By: Ethan Kross
- Narrated by: Ethan Kross
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tell a stranger that you talk to yourself, and you’re likely to get written off as eccentric. But the truth is that we all have a voice in our head. When we talk to ourselves, we often hope to tap into our inner coach but find our inner critic instead. When we’re facing a tough task, our inner coach can buoy us up: Focus - you can do this. But, just as often, our inner critic sinks us entirely: I’m going to fail. They’ll all laugh at me. What’s the use?
-
-
Chatter is Great
- By Mark on 02-13-21
By: Ethan Kross
-
The ADHD Advantage
- What You Thought Was a Diagnosis May Be Your Greatest Strength
- By: Dale Archer MD
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sharing the stories of highly successful people with ADHD, Dr. Archer offers a vitally important and inspiring new way to recognize ADHD traits in oneself or in one's loved ones, and then leverage them to great advantage - without drugs. As someone who not only has ADHD himself but also has never used medication to treat it, Dr. Archer understands the condition from a unique standpoint.
-
-
This guy doesn't understand ADHD – at all
- By Oliver Nielsen on 02-25-16
By: Dale Archer MD
-
Do Nothing
- How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving
- By: Celeste Headlee
- Narrated by: Celeste Headlee
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Do Nothing, award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee illuminates a new path ahead, seeking to institute a global shift in our thinking so we can stop sabotaging our well-being, put work aside, and start living instead of doing. As it turns out, we’re searching for external solutions to an internal problem. We won’t find what we’re searching for in punishing diets, productivity apps, or the latest self-improvement schemes. Yet all is not lost - we just need to learn how to take time for ourselves, without agenda or profit, and redefine what is truly worthwhile.
-
-
I almost never leave reviews
- By keli wolfe on 03-03-22
By: Celeste Headlee
-
Taking Charge of Adult ADHD, Second Edition
- Proven Strategies to Succeed at Work, at Home, and in Relationships
- By: Russell A. Barkley PhD, Christine M. Benton
- Narrated by: William Sarris
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you're among the millions of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you need the latest facts about the disorder and its treatment. You need practical strategies to help develop your strengths and achieve your goals, whether on the job, in family relationships, or in personal pursuits. From renowned ADHD researcher/clinician Russell A. Barkley, this is the book for you. Dr. Barkley takes you through the process of seeking professional help, addresses frequently asked questions about medications and other treatments, and offers a wealth of advice and tips.
-
-
Very frustrating to read when already diagnosed
- By David on 11-30-22
By: Russell A. Barkley PhD, and others
-
Social Media Anxiety and Addiction
- Breaking Free from the Trap and Taking Back Your Life! Detox Your Brain!: Get Help for Low Self-Esteem and Negative Effects to Your Health and Relationships!
- By: Christopher B. House
- Narrated by: Kelly McGibbon
- Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this book, I share with you the research that looks at the emotional, psychological, and physical impact a social media addiction has as well as how to take a step back from being connected. Remember, we have one life to live, and if we continue to live through our smart devices, it does not matter how many photos, videos, or tags we get because we won’t have lived it.
-
-
Informative & Insightful
- By Rob and Lydia on 07-18-21