Nope. We’re not, but I think you already know that. So then, why do we reach for that pack of chips when we get bored? Also, why exactly do we feel bored?

Boredom stems from a lack of mental stimulation. When we’re not engaged, our dopamine levels drop—that’s the feel-good hormone responsible for pleasure and motivation. And when dopamine dips, our brain craves a quick fix. So what do we do? We grab a cookie, chips, or whatever junk food is nearby. Some might even light a cigarette, endlessly scroll through reels, or binge-watch shows—but that’s a story for another time. This behavior is part of what’s known as dopamine addiction, and it’s more common (and harmful) than we think.

What prompts us to do this? When we get bored, we’re either not enjoying the activity we’re doing or not doing anything at all. Hence we crave for a feel-good factor. Our brain craves for something instantly gratifying to feel better and comfort foods are an easy option. It becomes a habit in no time and before we know it we’re struggling to overcome it. But that is not even half the problem.

By repeatedly doing this we are actually developing emotional eating habits, the food we snack on is not even nutritious. In addition to that, we’re guilty of ingesting extra calories and the worst part is we don’t even feel satisfied!

Dopamine addiction is a real problem and we have got to find better ways to cope with boredom if we really want to get out of this loop:

• Do the apple test! When you’re craving to eat something, think – would you eat an apple instead? If the answer is no then you’re not hungry. Get up and take a walk!
• Hydrate – you might just be thirsty, who knows?
• Declutter your space. Take a break and spend a few minutes cleaning a corner of your room or rearrange your office desk
• If you haven’t had your meal yet, prioritise that first. Eat your meal slowly and savor it.
• Create an eating routine for yourself through the day to suit your schedule and avoid eating at other times. Bringing discipline in your eating habits is the long term solution we need to aim for
• Lastly, and most importantly embrace the feeling of boredom. Do not fight it, allow your mind to wander; stare at that wall, it is okay!

Craving constant stimulation, whether through food, screens, or other means is not sustainable and hampers long-term productivity. Recognize the pattern. Acknowledge it. And take conscious steps to change it.