Cultivating Mindfulness to Alleviate Boredom in School-Age Children

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to identify how an interdisciplinary collaborative effort between occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists can promote mindfulness to alleviate boredom in school-age children. Methods: A review of literature was utilized to meet four objectives: establish sources of boredom, distinguish between occupational deprivation and excessive opportunities, delve specifically into the societal aspects of boredom occurring in the United States, and make recommendations for a multidisciplinary approach to boredom. Four articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: Boredom is thought to be the result of personal factors including personality, difficulty with attending, and negative attitudes. It can be the result of both excessive opportunities and deprivation. Boredom can have lifelong negative impacts. A multidisciplinary team is ideal for implementing mindfulness into practice. Conclusion: Rehabilitation professionals are in a unique position to facilitate mindfulness to eliminate boredom and create life balance, by cultivating the core building blocks of intention, attention, and a mindful way attitude.