A series of five studies recently tested whether gratitude could prevent boredom. The results supported these expectations, demonstrating that gratitude might effectively reduce and prevent boredom by enhancing the feeling that life is meaningful. The research was published in Motivation and Emotion. Boredom is defined as “the aversive experience of wanting but being unable to engage in satisfying activity.” It is a negative emotion associated with a perceived lack of stimulation, interest, or engagement in one’s environment or activities. Boredom often accompanies feelings of restlessness, di…