Have low attention span? Try this trend that mental health expert believes can help you focus better

Have low attention span? Try this trend that mental health experts believe can help you focus better (Picture Credit: Pexels)

Most of us seem to have a love-hate relationship with our smartphones, don't we? As much we understand the importance of staying away from it, we're surely more hooked to it. It's become like an inevitable truth of our lives. Gone are the days when we would talk to each other, enjoy a hobby, spend an off day with ourselves and our loved ones fully immersed in the moment. Often when I travel in a metro, out of habit, I count the number of people who are not using their smartphones (simply because it is easier than counting the number of people who are on their phones), and I am not surprised anymore to see that only a handful are enjoying the ride without straining their eyes out of compulsion.

To our collective dismay, we have become compulsive users of smartphones. Scrolling reels mindlessly, responding to every text promptly to checking our notifications, the time flies by, but we rarely acknowledge the time that we waste daily on smartphones without fail.

A content creator whose name is Rowan actually took up the challenge of doing nothing for at least an hour every day. The trend is called rawdogging boredom. His rationale behind doing so is that he wants to increase his attention span. The creator even uploaded a video of himself doing absolutely nothing while sitting on his armchair. He actually explained the premise of the challenge that he has taken up. He wrote, “The premise of this challenge is to let your brain take a break and wander freely without any stimulation."

Also read: World Mental Health Day: 3 psychologists share how they overcame difficult experiences and what they do to keep their mind healthy

Take a look at the video:

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A post shared by Rowan (@productive.rowan)

Dr. Pavitra Shankar, Associate Consultant, Psychiatry, Aakash Healthcare, says, "Rawdogging boredom or simply spending one hour every day doing absolutely nothing might sound strange in today’s fast, noisy world, but it can actually help your mind in surprising ways. We live in a time when our brains are always occupied phone in hand, TV in the background, social media scrolling, messages coming in. The mind is never at rest."

The question we all should probably ask ourselves is when was the last time when we sat quietly without any distraction? "The information explosion through these gadgets is taking place all the time. In such a situation, we have completely forgotten to sit with our own thoughts," adds Dr. Shankar.

"What the influencer is doing can actually be a great way of building mental strength. Instead of constantly running from boredom, you learn to face it. Many creative ideas also come when the brain is relaxed and wandering freely," she explains. 

FAQs on rawdogging boredom trend:

Q1: What is the “rawdogging boredom” trend?
A: It’s a slang term for tackling boredom by spontaneously diving into activities without much planning or hesitation — basically doing things “raw” or unfiltered to break the monotony.

Q2: Where did this trend start?
A: The trend gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where users share raw, unedited clips of them jumping into random activities or challenges to combat boredom.

Q3: What kinds of activities are popular in this trend?
A: Activities range from impromptu street performances, spontaneous road trips, trying bizarre food combos, random DIY projects, or just filming candid reactions to unexpected situations.

Q4: Is this trend safe?
A: While spontaneity is fun, it’s important to stay mindful of safety. Some rawdogging activities can be risky if they involve physical challenges or impulsive decisions in unsafe environments.

Q5: Why are people drawn to this trend?
A: People often feel stuck or uninspired during downtime. This trend encourages embracing the moment, breaking routine, and sharing authentic, relatable experiences.