Daydreaming

When you were young, you were probably told once or twice to stop daydreaming and get back to work (or whatever task was at hand). So it’s no wonder that as adults who have a much longer “to do” list than kids and teens, we don’t allow ourselves to daydream. We’ve got to “get back to work.”

And that’s not a good thing. It turns out daydreaming is really beneficial in practical — and sometimes actionable — ways. 

It may feel like you’re looking out at nothing and your brain is turned off, but in fact it’s fired up in ways that are difficult to achieve outside of daydreaming. Your executive network of your brain is still working even though you’ve essentially tapped into your default mode network (this TED video explains the concept really well). 

So what does this mean? While you’re drifting off into daydreamland, your executive network is still working on solving problems but is able to do so in a more creative way since the pressure to solve a problem THIS VERY SECOND is gone. 

Rick Rubin, legendary music producer, talks about this in his new book “The Creative Act: A Way of Being.” When he leaves the studio, he also leaves behind any problems he’s trying to solve with regard to a particular song or project. Then he may work on a completely different project or just go about his day. Either way, he’s freeing his brain from the pressure to figure out the problem, and though it may seem counterintuitive, the answer will usually come to him.

Now, in fairness to science, there is a point of mind-wandering that is detrimental. This is typically when we start dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. And we all know those two things aren’t helpful. But if you’re doing an activity you enjoy or that helps you stay present — going for a walk, washing dishes, etc. — you are more easily able to tap into the sweet spot of daydreaming. This is why people say they come up with their best ideas in the shower.

Or as John Kounios — professor of psychology and co-author of “The Eureka Factor: Aha Moments, Creative Insight, and the Brain — explains, we can analytically solve a problem or we can solve it through insight. But insight comes when we disconnect from the conscious mind. 

Ok, so you’re sold on the value of constructive daydreaming now… but how do you induce it? 

You can start with a process similar to mindfulness meditation. Close your eyes, take a couple of deep breaths, then think about something you like. It could be anything. A funny memory, a place you want to visit, just think of the thing and let your mind drift from there. 

Another method is to go on a walk and simply observe what’s going on around you. If you start thinking about something, let your thoughts drift. Since you are in a new environment with different stimuli than you were when you were actively problem solving, you’ll have a better chance to come up with a creative solution or a fun thought. 

When I’m able to, I like to employ an old school method of daydreaming: find a nice lawn to lay down on and make shapes out of the clouds. My brain is engaged in a way that lets it float around. 

So this week, free your mind! Intentionally set aside some time to daydream, especially if you have a problem you’re trying to solve or if everything feels totally overwhelming.