Boredom can actually kill you

London: Researchers say that people who complain of boredom are more likely to die young, and that those who experienced ‘high levels' of tedium are more than two-and-a-half times as likely to die from heart disease or stroke than those satisfied with their lot.

More than 7,000 civil servants were studied over 25 years, and those who said they were bored were nearly 40 per cent more likely to have died by the end of study.

The scientists said this could be a result as those leading unhappy lives turn to such habits as smoking or drinking, which would cut their life expectancy.

Specialists from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London, looked at data from 7,524 civil servants aged between 35 and 55 who were interviewed between 1985 and 1988 about their levels of boredom. They then found out whether they had died by April last year.

Researcher Martin Shipley, who co-wrote the report to be published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, said: "The findings on heart disease show there was sufficient evidence to say there is a link with boredom.

"It is important that people who have dull jobs find outside interests to keep boredom at bay, rather than turn to drinking or smoking."

Psychologist Graham Price said: "For many who are unmotivated or uninspired by life, or maybe have a tendency towards depression, the way out of it is to change their focus."