While we might think of daydreaming as something kids with overactive imaginations do as they they fidget with their pencil in a dull history class, adults are just as prone to getting their heads stuck in the clouds.
In fact, a 2010 Harvard study found adult participants found themselves daydreaming 46.9 percent of the time, usually about positive things, like receiving a promotion or inventing something awesome.
These whimsical tendencies might seem counterproductive at first glance, but it turns out that when done right, daydreams can go a long way in making you not only more creative, but also more productive.
Why You Should Daydream
Teachers or parents may have yelled at you to “snap out of it,” but a little healthy (and structured) daydreaming can actually help improve your life and health in many ways.
Reduce stress.
One benefit of daydreaming is that it can help you to relax and better manage stress. After all, a daydream is usually a pleasant experience, and essentially a mini-vacation for your brain.
Sure, thinking about your upcoming vacation in Fiji might not be the same as actually being there, but it’s still a nice break.
This allows you to regroup and come back from a stressful situation refreshed, and perhaps even with some new ideas.
If you’ve been working on one task for a long time, a little break may be just what your brain needs to come back with fresh eyes and renewed energy.
Solve problems.
Daydreaming can also help you find creative solutions for managing conflict, or solving current or potential problems.
Have you ever imagined what you would do in certain situations, like an earthquake, or home invasion? While it’s not as pleasant as the vacation examples from #1, this kind of daydreaming has its own benefits.
Visualizing what you will or would do it difficult circumstances can help you to be prepared for a variety of events.
Similarly, if you need to have a difficult conversation with someone, daydreaming about what you will say (and how) can help you to be better prepared to handle the chat maturely and effectively.
Maintain relationships.
If you’re in a situation where you have to be far away from your friends, loved ones, or significant other (something many people have had to endure amidst a pandemic), daydreaming can help you to maintain strong relationships.
Reminiscing about times you’ve spent together, or daydreaming about what you’ll do when you see each other again, can make you feel closer despite the passage of time.
While nothing can replace actually being with the people you love, daydreaming is a fun way to remember them fondly and keep you thinking about them rather than letting them slip out of your mind.
Boost your productivity.
Because daydreaming can boost your mood, reduce stress, and help you solve problems, it can also help to increase your overall productivity.
Of course, if you’re imagining unicorns leaping over rainbows, that might not be very helpful (unless you’re in a really creative field and your next project is actually about unicorns). But if you take a few minutes to daydream about an issue you are facing at work or in another setting, your mind might wander into a variety of solutions.
Daydreaming can make you feel better, and usually, the better you feel, the better you’ll do at work or whatever task is at hand.
Get closer to your goals.
Think of a daydream as a vision board that hangs in your head. Most goals start with a daydream—you envision how happy and healthy you’ll be once you lose weight, so you start working toward that goal by exercising daily and eating less sugar. Or maybe you daydream about sipping piña coladas on the beach, so you make a plan to save money for a vacation each month.
Daydreaming can help you get and stay motivated to reach your goals. Of course, the important thing is that you still take the actions needed to get there, but a little daydreaming can be a great reminder of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Daydreaming the Right Way
While daydreaming can come with plenty of benefits, there are still some guidelines to keep in mind to maximize the positive impact.
Make it pleasant and meaningful.
To get the most from daydreaming, experts recommend channeling your thoughts to something that is both pleasant and meaningful. So what does that mean exactly? Can the unicorns come back, or should you be daydreaming about solutions to end world hunger?
While superficial but pleasant subjects, such as pizza, rainbows (and yes, unicorns) aren’t necessarily beneficial, daydreaming about meaningful and pleasant subjects seems to be the magic combo.
Some examples include recalling a pleasant memory, imagining a future accomplishment, or thinking about an event you’re looking forward to are some of the most rewarding options, according to the research.
Practice structured daydreaming.
Just as superficial flights of fancy can be low in value, dreaming up unrealistic goals, like becoming a wizard or King of the Universe, is the opposite of productive.
Instead, practice what experts call structured daydreaming. Begin by closing your eyes and tuning in to all five of your senses to vividly imagine yourself pursuing a real-life goal. Think about even the challenges and frustrations that might arise, and imagine how you’ll overcome those obstacles.
Unlike a fantasy-based daydream, like riding a dragon, structured daydreaming requires effort. It forces you to rehearse exactly what you’ll need to do to accomplish your goals, which will help you to prepare for success while still indulging in some fun.
Find the right time.
It’s also important to choose the right time to daydream. The best time is when your mind is minimally occupied with other matters.
Activities like showering or brushing your teeth are good times to slip off to dreamland for a few minutes. Or, if you’re taking a walk, instead of pulling out your smart phone and burying your head in a stream of social media timelines, try daydreaming about your goals, happy memories, or pleasant times ahead.
Is Daydreaming the Same as Dreaming?
The primary and most obvious difference between daydreams and “normal” dreams is that when you are daydreaming, you’re awake, unlike the dreams you experience in your sleep.
Daydreams occur consciously, even if you may become temporarily distracted and unaware of your surroundings.
Is Daydreaming a Mental Illness?
Daydreaming itself is not a mental illness. On the contrary, it can be quite healthy and beneficial in moderation.
However, excessive daydreaming can be a sign of concentration difficulty, which could be a symptom of many mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to experts.
Daydreaming becomes problematic when you’re no longer able to follow instructions, pay attention when needed, or enjoy the present moment in what should otherwise be enjoyable circumstances.
Why Do People Maladaptive Daydream?
Maladaptive daydreaming is a condition wherein daydreaming becomes so excessive that a person becomes distracted from their real life and responsibilities.
It often occurs as a coping mechanism in response to trauma, or even loneliness. Those who suffer from maladaptive daydreaming create complex inner worlds where they can escape their sources of distress.
There is no official treatment for maladaptive daydreaming, but talking to a mental health professional can certainly help. One study has also indicated that fluvoxamine (Luvox) was effective in helping a maladaptive daydreamer control her daydreams.
Dream a Little Dream
Having your head in the clouds once in a while doesn’t have to be a bad thing. While mindfulness and living in the present are essential skills to master, a little whimsical break for your brain can also do you a lot of good.
By indulging in meaningful daydreams about your goals, fond memories, or upcoming events, you can reduce stress, increase your creativity, and actually get closer to realizing your goals.
Do you daydream often? Share your thoughts on the benefits of daydreaming in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Be Creative: 13 Fun Ways to Test Your Imagination
- How to Write a Compelling Dream Sequence: The Dos and Don’ts of Writing Dream Scenes
- Why You Should Keep a Dream Journal: 5 Tips for Discovering Helpful Insights
- How to Be Brave: 6 Tips for Embracing Fear and Living the Life of Your Dreams
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
