Is daydreaming mindless or meaningful?

Throughout history, daydreaming has been criticized and therefore often viewed as a distraction for the flaky or a form of procrastination for the lazy. We were told as children to pay attention and get our heads out of the clouds. Furthermore, prior studies revealed that adult mind-wandering causes negative rumination, thus making us unhappy. Would a rehabilitation of daydreaming be in order?

This popular pastime of bored schoolchildren and office workers everywhere, however, is being painted in a far more complex light by new studies. Several researchers are now heroically defending daydreaming and advocating that we should all be able to do it more often. The brain actually uses daydreaming to function properly, contrary to popular belief. A daydream, or the act of thinking for pleasure, can actually be beneficial to your health.

Daydreaming has its upsides, according to studies.

Cited on PsyBlog found that daydreaming can have measurable effects on the brain, according to a study published in Neuroimage. Consequently, daydreaming requires control and attention when done properly.

The University of North Carolina Greensboro’s Michael Kane, a psychologist, published a study in Psychological Science suggesting that a little mental wandering is beneficial. In this study, Kane examined the daydreaming of 274 volunteers and found that, while planning your next vacation while giving a presentation will probably never be a good idea, however, you can use it strategically to solve problems or focus when it is needed.

“People do not spontaneously choose to think for pleasure when given the freedom to do so, but they struggle to focus when directed to do so”, writes the authors in Emotion. Additionally, it is neither as enjoyable nor as engrossing as other solitary activities. Daydreaming or thinking for pleasure may be hard for people simply because they don’t know what to think about.”

Adults’ inability to enjoy thinking has led researchers in positive psychology to recommend staying focused on the present and avoiding allowing our minds to wander. The reason for this is that some research has shown that mind-wandering can often lead us into rumination, which is a negative way to think and one that is definitely detrimental to our health.

Rumination isn’t the same as mind-wandering, which actually occupies about half of our brains. Researchers have found that our brains do it to come up with solutions to problems that are innovative.

Could daydreaming have a positive side as well?

In contrast to mind-wandering or rumination, daydreaming is a completely different cognitive activity. Daydreaming, in the words of Westgate and her colleagues, is “thinking for pleasure”–which is much harder than we imagine. Perhaps this is why scientists discovered daydreaming can enhance our creativity at work.

“Whenever you daydream, you are acting, directing, writing, and attending a mental performance. In spite of the fact that it looks like you’re not doing anything, it’s cognitively demanding.”

But daydreaming can have positive health benefits, such as enhancing wellbeing or reducing pain.

There is an art to daydreaming

Researchers tried coaching people to think ‘meaningful thoughts’ to see whether they could regain their childhood skill of daydreaming. Participants in the study did not only not have the enjoyable experience the researchers intended, but also believed that their own unguided thoughts were more enjoyable than the guided thoughts.

It was so confusing for me,” Westgate says. “This was before she consulted with participants to see what they were thinking. Their minds seemed to ignore the possibility of enjoying their own thoughts during that time.” When participants were asked to think for fun, they thought of treats like cake or avocado toast instead of daydreams that were deeply satisfying.

They discovered the key to daydreaming. In the study, Westgate provided participants with a range of topics they could think about that were both amusing and meaningful at the same time.

Compared to thinking about anything they liked, participants reported enjoying themselves 50% more when given that prompt. Daydreaming, she believes, is “something that defines us as humans. It allows us to imagine new possibilities”, Westgate added delighted.

Even so, daydreaming is not easy. “This is a challenge for everyone. The idea that some types of people think more than others isn’t supported by any good evidence. But knowing what makes it easier and why it can be hard makes a big difference. We can all improve.” That’s the encouraging part.” 

There is a learning curve to daydreaming, according to Westgate. It gives us a better feeling and reshapes our emotions, so it’s worth the effort, she says. It is also possible for experienced daydreamers to call upon this skill when they are stressed.

Daydreaming for success

Overall, these findings suggest that daydreaming can be a valuable mental tool when done correctly. Therefore, the obvious question is, how should one daydream? It seems that there is an entire book dedicated to the topic. There is a book by Professor Srini Pillay of Harvard Medical School called Tinker Dabble Doodle Try: Unlocking the Power of the Unfocused Mind.

According to him, the best way to daydream is to let your mind wander “on a leash.” The optimal way to daydream is called positive constructive daydreaming (PCD). He explains that PCD allows you to “give your focus a break while planning and rehearsing what’s next,” rather than simply rehashing old worries. Pillay concludes that if you allow yourself to daydream constructively, you might be able to see things about the future you otherwise would not.

Here are some tips for having pleasant daydreams

The ability to daydream can be hard to develop. Our experience so far has been all-around negative. We don’t know what we’re doing wrong or what we’re doing right. Once you understand the concept, everyone can do this.

Positive daydreaming

The following tips can help you get the most out of your daydreaming.

1. Intention is the key

Identify your dream’s goal: Where do you want to go? Is there anything you would like to consider? When beginning your daydreaming practice, it is recommended that you set an intention. Before you go into your process, think about the topic you want to process. “It can be a lighter or heavier subject; just be aware of how it affects you physically.” Considering how much time you are spending in your head, it’s important to also check in with your body’s status.

2. Monitor your progress periodically with a timer

You tend to lose track of time when in the middle of an awesome fantasy, which is why setting a timer for a few minutes (5-10 mins) is recommended. When the first five minutes have passed, pay attention to how your body feels. Are you feeling more relaxed? Is your posture more upright? Smiling, are you?

3. Embrace the practice

Doodlers might draw to daydream or maybe you like to sketch. If you’re a writer, perhaps you prefer to keep a journal. You can use any passion or hobby in your daydreaming journey, such as practicing art, playing music, or taking a walk. Providing a grounding outlet when necessary or activating the daydreaming process can help many. (Because, well, your positive daydreaming session can’t last forever.)

Whatever you choose, schedule time for it on your calendar regularly. It is healthy to set aside time to practice daydreaming.

4. Be realistic, and daydream only in a healthy, safe environment

The last and perhaps most important tip is to only daydream positive thoughts when you are in a healthy headspace and in a safe environment. Be aware of its limitations: It isn’t suitable for use as a coping mechanism for physically or psychologically distressed individuals, nor is it intended for avoiding pressing issues.

The importance of coping in the present and the actual situation goes along with daydreaming.

Bonus Tips:

• Develop the skill of daydreaming through practice.
• Remember that this is not the time to run your to-do list or make vacation plans.
• You can do it while folding laundry or taking a shower, whatever is mildly engaging to you. During times of slight brain activity, we are more likely to daydream.
• Instead of pulling out your phone while you’re walking, try it next time.
• If you use subjects you enjoy as prompts for your thoughts, daydreaming can be delightful.

Summing Up

Keeping a clear distinction between daydreaming and fantasizing is essential.

Having a little fantasy isn’t necessarily bad, and when used sparingly, it can help lift your mood, but when it veers into the unrealistic it can leave you feeling like garbage. A sense of overindulgence is associated with unhelpful fantasizing as if too much rich food were consumed; it has an addictive quality.

Daydreaming, by contrast, is more creative. Putting limits on your fantasizing is key. Alternatively, you could read a book, chat with a friend, or watch a movie. Don’t resist daydreaming the next time you catch yourself doing it, blend in the flow. The results might surprise you.