The Power Of Daydreaming

Are you a daydreamer? Do you constantly find yourself drifting off into your own little world, oblivious to everything that’s going on around you? Yep, me too. It’s great, isn’t it! One second your mind can be completely engaged and focused on the task at hand and then the next you’re off fighting crime in a deliriously restful, dreamy state. Daydreaming is your brains state of “Natural Meditation”. It is when your brain simply decides that it has had quite enough and wants to take a break, whether you like it or not.

But this is a good thing!

Daydreaming comes to us all naturally, and it is an effortless process. In this state you are not trying to make anything happen – you just accept it and welcome everything it brings. In this state anything is possible and anything can happen. You may laugh or cry, think of things that are unimaginable in an ordinary and focused state; you may even feel completely new sensations. This is your minds playtime where you’re no longer bombarded with useless information.

Indeed, scientific researcher Immordino-Yang and co. describe how the brain has two operating systems, known as the “looking out system” and the “looking in system”. While the first is orientated toward the external world and getting stuff done, the latter is all about directing our attention inwards and letting our thoughts wander. In this “looking in” state our daydreams can run wild! And that is what scientists have found. In fact, our brain is actually more active when left to its own devices.   

But as our lives are getting busier and busier, it is often more difficult to allow ourselves that time and space we need to set our lives and emotions free – which is why daydreaming and our “looking in system” is so important to us and our sanity. Not only does daydreaming allow us the simple pleasure of enjoying our own company, it also grants us the opportunity to unwind, refocus our energies and take a step back from the demanding routine of daily life.  

So the next time you feel on the brink of a daydream, don’t try and fight it – just accept it.

Let go of your surroundings, don’t worry about how you look and forget all the stressors of the present – we are all entitled to daydream. Daydreaming is the one thing nobody can take away from you. It is your personal tool to use however you see fit. You can use this time to recollect, imagine new scenarios that you could apply to everyday life or even muster up the courage to create positive change in your life. Daydreaming is a spiritual need that both the body and mind desire.   

Considering this fact that daydreaming can be a powerful tool to aid us in our day to day lives, here are a few tips on how to utilise our daydreaming ability in order to better yourself in your everyday life.  

Take a Daydream Break

I’m sure that I’m not the only one who feels drawn to daydreaming when the going gets tough but still resist the urge in order to not waste time. This constant resistance can often lead to burning ourselves out, which in turn leads to poorer performance. However, new research actually suggests that planned daydreaming can actually lead to boost in performance and greater cognitive function. Why? Because we are giving our mind time to refresh.

The trick to better focus is to actually step back from a task at hand and take a short break for the mind to recover. Think of something completely unrelated and let your mind wander. You’ll soon feel refreshed and might even approach the task from a new angle. However, the key also lies in being aware of your daydreaming, so you can cut it short if you’re getting a little too preoccupied!  

Daydream To Motivate

We often dream about our life goals and desires, and people often forget about the central role that daydreaming actually plays in the imagining of these and the motivation it gives us to act on them. Spend your time daydreaming about what you would like to see in your life and then actively seek to make these dreams a part of your reality. You might just find out that the more you daydream, the more you will achieve.