That is something of a puzzle for evolutionary psychologists. Emotions should evolve for
our benefit – not to push us to self-destruction. “The very fact that boredom is a daily
experience suggests it should be doing something useful,” says Heather Lench at Texas
A&M University. Feelings like fear help us avoid danger, after all, while sadness might
help prevent future mistakes. So, if true, what does boredom achieve?