Why daydreaming is not necessarily bad

Mind-wandering or daydreaming is distinguished as thoughts that are disconnected from the surroundings and the often-mundane task at hand. Researchers estimate that daydreamers spend between 30-50% of their hours awake, daydreaming. Yet, for something that comes so naturally and takes away so much of one’s time, it is perceived badly. Surely, mind-wandering isn’t great for driving, reading, understanding, attention, operating bulky machines, or that long examination. But researchers also believe that daydreaming offers some sort of evolutionary advantage.

Improves creativity

Neuroscience research has shown that daydreaming makes connections across a series of interacting brain regions known as the default mode network (DMN). This network is most active when the brain is at wakeful rest as it is focusing inwards or planning the future. Recent studies have suggested that creative thinking is enhanced when our DMN is switched on, as well as its adjacent network, the frontoparietal control network (FPCN).

Increases performance

Studies use what is essentially a variant of the marshmallow test for grown-ups to measure how long we will wait for a large delayed reward, rather than settling for a smaller instant reward. It is a behavior termed as ‘delay-discounting’. Researchers found that people whose minds wander more also tend to be more patient, and hence they decide better. This may be because mind-wandering allows us to escape the discomfort of our real lives, meaning we can withstand the exasperation of waiting longer for a reward.

Helps us focus

Several researchers believe daydreams are crucial for helping individuals achieve their ambitions. They assert that fantasizing about the anticipated achievement of a goal helps us to stay motivated and committed. In fact, by thinking about the present reality and comparing it to fantasies about an aspirational future, we are driven to act.