Could Boredom at Work Be Deadly?

A U.K. study has found that being bored on the job could be connected to some serious health complications such as heart problems.

Researchers from the University College London found that individuals who are bored at work were more likely to die at a younger age than those who are not bored. Although boredom itself does not kill people, it can lead people to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking or taking drugs, the study found.

Now, admittedly, this wasn't actually a serious scientific study – just "a commentary piece intended for the amusement of epidemiologists and medics," according to the Associated Press.

But if you really think about it, boredom can make you pretty miserable. There are some IT jobs out there that really don't require you do do much at all. Some people love that, but others go crazy if they don't have something to keep them busy.

The flip-side is when your IT job keeps you super-busy without really providing any intellectual challenges. At the end of the day, you're exhausted but you feel like you haven't really learned or accomplished anything.

Whatever your situation, you may be feeling that it's time for a change. Sometimes a complete career switch is in order, while other times, you may benefit from on-the-job cross-training or upgrading your tech skills. Choosing a goal – no matter how small – and working toward it is a sure-fire way to keep boredom from getting to you.

_{Image Copyright: Michael Lorenzo}