‘Boredom can be good for us,’ agrees Dr Sandi Mann, a senior psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire who is an expert on the subject. ‘People forget that it’s just an emotion that can be both positive and negative. It doesn’t necessarily occur when we haven’t got anything to do – but more often when there’s nothing to do that interests us right now. Using boredom positively is about creating new opportunities when your mind isn’t occupied and there isn’t anything else to focus on.’

• Feet first. During the day, leave your workplace for a 10-minute walk without destination or purpose, where you can just notice what’s happening around you. And leave your phone behind.

• Carriage calm. Resist the temptation to check your email on the daily commute and look out the window fo the train or bus instead. ‘This can be a lovely way to let your mind off the hook and just daydream,’ says Mann.

• Embrace dull tasks. Research shows that people are more creative after doing dull tasks. So tackle the washing-up before writing that big proposal, or try getting some tedious admin tasks completed before your next important meeting.