95 – Boredom and Why People Need Something To DO Every Day ft Jen Gash

In this episode we talk all about boredom and how it relates to our work as occupational therapists. We talk with OT, author and artist Jen Gash about:

• the importance of 'doing'
• why people get bored
• the good and the bad side of boredom
• how people can alleviate boredom
• how boredom relates to occupational therapy
• Jen's new book: Bored: Why human beings need to have something to do every day (and what happens if they don’t)

Jen has been an occupational therapist for over 25 years but early in her career, realised her love for doing things differently, changing and developing services as well as supporting occupational therapists themselves.  In 2006 she established OT Coach which acknowledges the benefits of using coaching within OT practice and the great things that happen when OTs themselves are coached. Coaching creativity became a special interest for Jen as she is a life-long artist and also recognises the creativity intrinsic in OT practice and coaching itself. 

In 2017 the first book on occupational therapy and coaching was published; Enabling positive change – coaching conversations in occupational therapy, with Jen as co-editor. She is also author of Coaching creativity – transforming your practice and Bored: Why we need something to do every day (and what happens if we don’t) due to be published May 2023.   She has recently started a podcast called Alchemical Health with her brother, which looks at sustainable, regenerative and creative health and care. As a life-long artist, Jen won “Sky Artist of the Year” in 2018.

Facebook: OT Coach

Website: OT Coach

Website: Jen Gash