Experts warn being bored at work could increase chances of dying early

LONDON (AP) - New research is lending some credence to the notion that one can literally be bored to death.

By: Associated Press | WNCT-On Your Side
Published: February 10, 2010

LONDON (AP) - New research is lending some credence to the notion that one can literally be bored to death.
Writing in the International Journal of Epidemiology, a pair of experts say boredom alone won't do it, but it can contribute to behaviors that increase the risk of dying early.
The researchers analyzed questionnaires filled out by a large group of middle-aged London civil servants in the 1980s. They were asked if they had felt bored at work during the previous month. Tracking down the participants last year, the researchers found those who reported they had been very bored were two and a half times more likely to die of a heart problem than those who said they weren't bored.
Another expert says boredom is linked to anger suppression, which can raise blood pressure and suppress the body's natural immunity.
Still other experts say the link appears possible, if not direct. They note that a bored person may not be motivated to eat well or exercise and may be more inclined to take drugs or have psychological problems like depression.