“I try to maintain a healthy dose of daydreaming to remain sane.”
- Florence Welch

Which one of us hasn’t been in a boring class or a long commute without headphones? We have all had the experience of being stuck in a situation that is boring or routine. The usual response to such a scenario would be frustration or irritation. But, what if we choose an alternative to being frustrated and daydreaming instead? Here is a short masterclass into daydreaming for your reading pleasure.

Earth to Charlie: What is Daydreaming?

Daydreaming is, simply put, a state of the brain, where a person’s attention turns inward towards their thoughts. Alternatively, it is also called mind wandering, living in a fantasy or stuck in the clouds. Usually, daydreaming shows positive thoughts, with many being impossible. For example: Being awarded a Nobel Prize, being a guest on the Jimmy Fallon show or becoming a detective. All these situations are major achievements that are not obtained by normal people yet many daydream of achieving them.

So, in a nutshell, it is a pleasant state of mind that is far from reality. Usually, when daydreaming, a person may be unaware of their surroundings and reality in general. This also means that they may not be open to social conversations or other tasks while in this state. It can last anywhere from 30 seconds to beyond an hour.

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Becoming the Next Marie Curie: The Science of Daydreaming

While daydreaming is frowned upon as a childish or simple activity, it is a complex interplay between various areas of the brain. The network that is most active while daydreaming is called the “Default Mode Network.” This model is shown to work in tandem with our “Executive Network” to generate new, creative ideas.

This collaboration occurs during “Free-Association Daydreaming.” This form of daydreaming occurs when the mind is not fixated on a specific event, thought, or action and moves from one thought to another. This is different from replaying a painful memory, such as an argument. Free Association Daydreaming is shown to be an alpha-wave state. The alpha wave state is scientifically proven to be the most creative time of brain function. It creates new ideas, acts as a way to set goals and even acts as a problem solver. Daydreaming triggers this state so that the mind is free-flowing and not fixated.

The body also relaxes during daydreaming and the individual’s surroundings become muted. This is the reason why a daydreamer jolts when touched or called while in a daydream. They could be engrossed in this Free Association state, which leads to a lack of awareness of one’s surroundings.

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A Magic Library or A Magic Garden?: Benefits of Daydreaming

Now that we understand the basic science of daydreaming, let’s have a quick look at a few of the benefits of daydreaming:

1.     Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Daydreaming is a necessary mechanism for relaxation. The human mind cannot be productive non-stop all day; it needs a break. When maintaining focus becomes hard, a daydreaming break can work wonders and energise you further when you get back to work. It also helps us deal with overstimulation by allowing our minds to relax.

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2.     Problem Solving

Free Association daydreaming puts the mind in an alpha state. It allows the mind to resolve problems by letting them fade into the background and then coming up with a solution for it while shifting from thought to thought. This allows for those ‘aha!’ moments where we generate new and unique ideas/solutions to tackle a problem. Daydreaming also encourages Divergent thinking or ‘thinking outside the box.’ This enables new and innovative solutions to problems.

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3.     Improves Creativity

When we daydream, we cook up elaborate thoughts that are usually impossible in reality. But those scenarios could have possible real-world applications. For example, daydreaming about a big library could help you find new words to add to your vocabulary, making your communication more effective. Daydreaming is a boon for artists, writers and other creatives who use it as a primary tool to generate new creative projects.

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Getting Burnt (Metaphorically): Disadvantages of Daydreaming

Although daydreaming has many benefits, it also has potential problems. Let’s have a rundown of all the problems that could occur due to daydreaming:

1.     Maladaptive Daydreaming

Maladaptive daydreaming is a phenomenon where an individual becomes immersed in their imagination to such an extent that their reality is negatively affected. People who do this tend to lose themselves in extremely vivid and detailed daydreams. Research shows that this kind of daydreaming might be compulsive; therefore, the daydreamers cannot control themselves from slipping into a daydream. This occurs as an unhealthy coping mechanism for disorders such as anxiety but could also be a separate disorder of its own.

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2.     Lack of Social Networks

When a person is immersed in a daydream, they may not be aware of their surroundings as such. This could lead to a loss of social connections. They may become lonely and alone due to their constant daydreaming. They could potentially also hold reality to the standard of their daydream and of course, reality will never match up, leading to disillusionment and low emotions.

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3.     Becoming Overly Invested in a Daydream

A person could become overly invested in their daydreams and disregard their work to continue to daydream. Sometimes it could also lead to them neglecting personal hygiene and replaying the daydream again and again to derive happiness from it.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, daydreaming is a fascinating topic with many complex and intertwining factors. It can act as an incubator for world changing ideas while providing simple joy to the individual who conjures it up. Taking time to daydream and let your mind wander is a good way to unwind and relax. It will also assist in letting your mind find solutions to pressing problems and achieve your goals.

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But, if you find yourself unable to control your daydreams, then you might be a maladaptive daydreamer. Reach out to us at Heart It Out for assistance. We have therapists from varied fields of expertise who will assist you and help you overcome any challenges that you are facing.