The Benefits of Daydreaming

It can be hard to put your finger on the exact moment a daydream begins. A wandering mind – by its nature – meanders off without warning, pulling thoughts towards different topics and ideas. Oftentimes, we only actually realize a daydream has occurred after we’ve been shaken out of it, snapping back to reality and re-engaging what’s in front of us.

The fact that daydreaming is something that generally happens to us by accident might be one of the reasons why we don’t tend to value it. Another one is that it often diverts us away from what we should be doing. These things can make daydreaming seem like an inconvenience, a state our brain produces by accident because of slipped focus – naturally something we want to avoid. And yet, this is not actually the case. Far from wasteful, there’s a wealth of research to suggest that daydreaming is very beneficial to us.

On closer inspection, it’s not hard to see why this might be the case. After all, we don’t underestimate the role of sleep because we’re not directly productive whilst engaged in it. Similarly, we cannot always be focused every minute of every day and that’s not a bad thing. Sometimes it’s important that our mind is let off the leash and allowed to do its own thing, and it seems that neurologically our brain is actually doing very important stuff while that is happening.

Daydreaming and problem-solving

Research from the University of British Columbia found that there is a strong link between daydreaming and problem-solving abilities. Before the study, researchers had expected that the daydreaming mind would solely engage the default network – the part of the brain associated with simple or routine tasks. Instead, they were surprised to discover that mind-wandering also engages the executive network (that is, the part of the brain that performs and processes more complex tasks and information).

It is because daydreaming activates both these parts of the brain that it offers benefits in terms of creativity, productivity and solution-finding. Usually, when in a focused mindset, we are disconnected from the default network – but the daydreaming state builds a bridge between these two portions of the brain so that it can form new connections. Though we’re not aware of it, our subconscious is also given free rein during these periods of distraction – while we meander through seemingly random thoughts, our subconscious mind is making use of the information and finding inspiration in things we’ve experienced during the day.

Daydreaming as fuel for creativity

If you ask people where they get their best ideas, you’ll quickly see a theme emerge amongst the answers given. The most common responses usually involve doing something mundane or thoughtless such as showering, walking or driving. And this is not a coincidence! Each of these activities perfectly facilitates mind wandering, which in turn fuels our creativity, ultimately causing ideas to strike seemingly out of nowhere.

What’s more, when we’re daydreaming, we also give our focused mind some much-needed respite. Today, we are all busier than ever before. Once, boredom was a huge prompt for mind wandering – but today, we rarely allow ourselves to actually get bored. Instead, there’s always the option to stream or click and scroll, hence we are much less likely to daydream and experience the associated benefits as a result. This is exactly why focused daydreaming offers a transformative new way of working.

Making focused daydreaming work for you

Plenty of studies have already proven that taking breaks is beneficial for productivity – while, conversely, working without stopping causes stress to build up in the brain. Given this, it’s not hard to see how you could potentially maximise the effect of these breaks with focused daydreaming compounding the productivity effects. But what exactly is focused daydreaming, and how can you do it?

Well, like any form of self-improvement, to be effective you also need to bring some structure into the process. After all, you wouldn’t expect to improve your fitness without a routine to keep you dedicated and on track. The same goes here. The “focused” part of this process refers to the need to pick the area in which you’d like to improve. Our subconscious mind is then capable of chewing over the information we input to produce creative ideas, which is why we pick an area of focus before embarking on a focused daydreaming session.

In totality, the three key steps to making focused daydreaming work for you are as follows:

1. Set an intention

Begin by establishing a clear and focused objective for your daydreaming session. Whether you aim to brainstorm innovative ideas for an upcoming campaign or enhance your overall creative energy, having a defined purpose is crucial. This intention acts as a beacon, guiding your thoughts and keeping you motivated. For example, if you’re working on a marketing campaign, your goal might be to generate ten fresh concepts. Alternatively, if you’re seeking a general creativity boost, your intention might be to explore new perspectives on existing projects. Clearly defining your goal ensures your mind-wandering is fuelled by a productive outcome.

2. Fuel your subconscious

Immerse yourself in information relevant to your goal. This preparatory step might involve revisiting past projects, analysing successful campaigns or conducting in-depth competitor research. By saturating your brain with pertinent information, you create a rich mental landscape from which your subconscious can draw during your daydreaming session. For instance, if your goal is to innovate within a specific industry, read up on the latest trends, technologies and consumer behaviours. This infusion of information primes your subconscious, enabling it to forge creative connections and insights while you daydream.

3. Activate daydreaming

Engage in a rhythmic activity that allows your mind to wander freely. This could be anything from taking a leisurely walk or run, doodling at your desk, to completing simple household chores. These activities should require minimal cognitive effort, providing the perfect backdrop for fluid, associative thinking. As you move through these tasks, your mind is free to explore novel ideas and solutions without the constraints of focused thought. For example, during a walk, the rhythmic movement and changing scenery can stimulate your brain to form new connections and insights. Choose activities that naturally encourage your mind's propensity to daydream and embrace the creative surge that follows – don’t force yourself into any one task, and instead do what feels natural and restorative to you.

By putting these three steps into practice with time-boxed, regular daydreaming breaks you will soon see the benefits of focused daydreaming for yourself. So, why not set aside the stress of overwhelming work and embrace a new, creative technique for achieving more whilst doing less?