Trading psychology · Beginner

Boredom Trading And Overtrading

A 1-minute lesson from the MarketPro academy, one of 20 in trading psychology.

Last reviewed 15 September 2026 by the MarketPro research desk · Editorial policy

Short answer

Not every trading session offers a clear, high-quality setup. Boredom trading happens when a trader opens positions simply to feel active, rather than because market conditions actually meet their criteria.

How To Recognize It

Opening a trade mainly because the screen has been quiet for a while
Taking marginal setups that would normally be skipped, just to "do something"
Increasing the number of instruments watched in search of any activity at all
Feeling restless or dissatisfied on days without a clear signal

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Why It Is Costly

Trades taken out of boredom are, by definition, not backed by the same reasoning as trades taken from a tested setup, so they tend to underperform over time even if a few work out by chance. Overtrading also multiplies the effect of transaction costs and increases exposure to random short-term moves. Not trading is itself a valid decision, and recognizing a lack of opportunity is as much a skill as recognizing a good one. Setting a maximum number of trades per day or week, and treating patience during quiet periods as part of the plan rather than a failure to act, helps keep boredom from turning into unnecessary risk-taking.

Lesson 17 of 20 in Trading psychology

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Written and reviewed by the MarketPro research desk

MarketPro is a trading-signal and trading-education app operated by Harajuku Holdings LTD (Cyprus). Our signal desk publishes and tracks every trade idea in-app, and every page here is checked against the app's live behaviour before publishing. Last reviewed 15 September 2026. How we produce signals and content · About MarketPro

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Not investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.