In Defense of Daydreaming

“Letting your mind wander can benefit the brain, researchers say.

A study published last week suggests that our tendency to avoid being alone with our thoughts is in part because “we tend to underestimate the value of thinking,” said one of the study’s authors, Kou Murayama, a psychologist at the University of Tübingen in Germany. Dr. Murayama and his colleagues asked adults to first predict how much they would like sitting in a quiet room alone, and then actually had them do it for 20 minutes. To their surprise, the participants enjoyed the experience more than they had expected to. Research shows that letting our minds wander and engaging in certain kinds of daydreaming can give us joy, serenity and even make us more creative.

Here’s how to start making the most out of those rare moments of solitude and reverie.

Find the right time and place to get lost in thought.

Focus on positive, interesting and meaningful thoughts.

To nurture creativity, focus on interesting ideas.

If your mind goes to bad places, try mindfulness.

Read the complete article available at The New York Times

🌿Discussion: It’s best to daydream when you are not busy or doing something that necessities focusing. If you dislike daydreaming, it’s likely that you’re concentrating on negative thoughts. Instead, focus on upcoming exciting events or recollections of fond movements. Think of things you enjoy! Additionally, you can use mindfulness to help calm your mind if you keep drifting towards stressful thoughts.

🌿Reflection: Do you enjoy daydreaming?

#Daydreaming #Research #Mind