Research suggests quiet, seemingly unproductive moments of boredom matter more than we think. It’s in those unfocused states—daydreaming, staring out the window, waiting in line—that our brains make new connections. That’s often where creativity lives.

Air pollution works like a slow, invisible stressor on our cognitive systems. Those microscopic particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, triggering inflammation and potentially accelerating the processes that lead to cognitive decline. But there are things we can do to protect our brain health.

As I slid into the functional MRI machine, I had a moment where I asked myself: Why did I sign up for this again?

If you’ve been feeling foggy, forgetful, easily distracted, or creatively blocked, you’re not alone. But there might be something your brain is asking for.