Jakarta, ThedailyID — Constantly checking your phone could be getting in the way of achieving a state of deep focus known as flow. According to Dr. Arthur Brooks, excessive dependence on digital stimulation can make it harder to tolerate boredom and focus on a single activity.
Brooks explains that phone addiction can be difficult to recognize because excessive phone use has become so common. When almost everyone constantly checks their devices, the behavior can start to feel normal.
“A lot of people are not convinced that they’re addicted to their devices. And one of the big reasons for that is because pretty much everybody is. That’s why,” said Dr. Arthur Brooks in a YouTube video shared by Big Think Clips, Monday (31/08).
The problem is not simply how much time people spend on their phones. Constant notifications, social media and digital distractions can encourage people to seek frequent stimulation instead of remaining focused when nothing immediately demands their attention.
That can become a barrier to flow, a state in which someone becomes deeply immersed in an activity. Flow often requires sustained attention, whether someone is working, creating, studying or practicing a skill.
Brooks argues that becoming comfortable with boredom can help break the habit of constantly seeking stimulation. Instead of automatically reaching for a phone during quiet moments, allowing the mind to experience boredom may create more room for concentration and deeper engagement.
The goal is not necessarily to eliminate smartphones from everyday life. It is to become more intentional about when and why they are used, rather than allowing every moment of boredom to trigger another scroll.
Brooks is one of the leading experts on the science of human happiness and has written and spoken extensively about well-being, attention and the habits that shape a fulfilling life.
