For all the wonderful ways that smartphones make life easier and information more accessible, they're also adding a whole lot of unnecessary distraction to our lives. After all, why walk, sit or simply wait when you could be tweeting or surfing Pinterest at the same time? But the truth is, we're not programmed to be constantly in "go" mode, and this overstimulation can have some seriously negative health impacts, including higher stress levels, lack of focus and creativity, and technology addiction. Our solution? Good old-fashioned boredom.


Taking time to be bored (no, we don't mean spacing out in chem class) and letting yourself pause from friends, obligations, and technology is actually one of the best things you can do for your health. If you're used to keeping yourself constantly occupied, doing nothing may initially make you feel anxious. But slowing down can actually make you more productive in the long-term -- not to mention more creative, happier and less stressed.


Scroll down for five reasons to turn off your phone, clear out your schedule, a give your mind a break by taking the time to simply do nothing.


1. It Will Help You Avoid A Tech Addiction.


Smartphone addiction is a real thing, and it's not pretty. It can cause you to feel upset and anxious when you can't check your phone, make you experience imaginary cell phone vibrations, and it can distract you from the (more important) real people and things that exist around you.


Constant mindless stimulation isn't healthy: Spending too much time using technology and social media has been linked to depression and anxiety, poor academic performance, and poor sleep.


So the next time you have five minutes or a full hour to kill, stick your phone in your bag and kill time the old-fashioned way: By letting boredom take you wherever it wants to, whether it's daydreaming, doodling, or just sitting around.


2. Boredom Can Boost Creativity.


Instead of thinking of boredom as a waste of time, try to look at it as a necessary rest for your brain that can leave your mind feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Giving your mind a break from the constant stimulation of technology allows it to better take in new things and have new thoughts, which can boost creativity. Neuroscience research has even found that daydreaming involves the same processes that govern imagination and creativity. So if you're looking to get more creative, get bored.


3. You Can Discover New Hobbies & Interests.


Think of all the extra time, energy and brain-space that you'll have for new things when you stop trying to fill every moment of your time with mindless activities. If you use the extra energy you have when you're bored to try a new activity, you'll enjoy your time and learn something, whereas if you're just scrolling through Instagram, you won't really have gained anything. Make the most of your time by letting yourself be bored.


4. Doing Nothing Can Help You Cultivate Mindfulness.


Doing nothing is the essence of mindfulness, the practice of focusing one's awareness entirely on the present moment. Even if you don't follow a full mindfulness meditation practice, the research has found significant health benefits of mindfulness, including improved sleep, emotional stability and more success with weight-loss efforts.


5. Unplugging & Recharging Can Relieve Stress.


Heavy cell phone and technology use has been linked to stress, depression and fatigue in young adults. Take some time to unplug and recharge for improved sleep and less stress.


Tell us: Do you ever give yourself time to be bored? Do you find that slowing down helps you feel less stressed? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweet @HuffPostTeen.


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  • Practice Gratitude


    Remembering all the good things that you have makes it a whole lot easier not to focus on what you <em>don't </em>have. Being thankful and appreciating the abundance in your life -- rather than dwelling on what feels lacking -- is rule #1 for shifting your thinking from negative to positive.




  • Surround Yourself With Supportive People


    Once you've minimized your interaction with the negative Nancies in your life, creating an inner circle filled with support and encouragement is the next step. Having people around who see the best in you will help you see the best in yourself.




  • Ditch The Drama


    Break up with your toxic friends and say goodbye to the boyfriend or girlfriend who brings you down. Minimizing negative energy in your environment is a prerequisite to overcoming negativity in your thinking.




  • Take Responsibility


    The easiest way to fall into the negativity trap is by making yourself a victim. But on the flipside, to take responsibility for your own actions is to take charge of your own happiness. Remind yourself daily that although we may not be able to control what happens to us, we are always in charge of our reactions.




  • Turn Your 'Can't's Into 'Can's


    This one may take practice, but it really works. Changing your sentence structure from negative to positive (From "Why do I always get bad grades on chem exams?" to "It might not have been what I hoped, but I know my next grade will be better") is key to shifting your perceptions from can't to can. Make a concerted effort to see challenges as opportunities, and watch as doors open where there were none before.




  • Be Kind


    Getting into the habit of being kind and forgiving to others will help you extend the same courtesy to yourself. And when you're a friend to yourself, it's a whole lot easier to forgive yourself for your mistakes and cultivate a positive outlook for your future. And if you believe in karma, well, what goes around comes around.




  • Find The Silver Lining


    Events and situations aren't inherently good or bad -- we just project those descriptions onto them. This means that we have a great deal of power over how we choose to view whatever comes our way -- deciding to focus on the positive is a powerful way to take charge in your life.




  • Slow Down


    Signing up for a weekly yoga class or committing to 10 minutes of mediation before bed each night can go a long way in helping you slow down your mind so that you can observe and recognize your thought patterns. Even just talking a walk in nature or reminding yourself to breathe deeply can help reset your brain and clear out unnecessary worries.




  • Set Your Own Standards


    Becoming the captain of your own ship is a must in developing a positive outlook. Instead of worrying what other people think of you and trying to live up the their standards, decide for yourself who you want to be and what you want to accomplish. Following your own path will give you a boost of confidence and self-esteem that makes the future -- and the present -- seem brighter.




  • Remember to Laugh


    Laughing at yourself, seeking out opportunities to play and enjoy humor, and making others laugh can go a long way in creating an optimistic mindset. Laughter relieves stress and reminds you not to take life so seriously.