Mind Wandering and Inner Experience: Don’t Miss Out on the Positive Effects of Daydreaming for Goal Attainment
The latest psychological research reveals surprising results
For years I have been confused about the merits of daydreaming (now called mind wandering by psychologists). I love keeping a journal to record the contents of these ruminations.
However, I have often thought it was just a waste of time, serving no purpose and that I should get on with more executive tasks.
Adaptive Uses to Mind Wandering
Now it turns out, rather than having a negative attitude, it is time to wake up to the merits of daydreams. As recent research revealed, 47% of our waking hours consist of these wayward thoughts.
Hence, psychologists have been hot on the trail of figuring out the adaptive uses of such everyday activity.
We have come a long way since Freud declared, ‘A fantasy is an outgrowth of an unsatisfied wish and is a defense against its direct manifestation.’
Now several researchers have uncovered the following benefits.
· They can promote creativity and problem-solving
