What you Should Know About Daydreaming

Every day, you spend approximately a third to half of your waking hours lost in daydreams. While this might seem like a significant waste of time, scientists believe there must be a purpose behind it, or else humans wouldn't have evolved to daydream so extensively. To better understand the phenomenon, let's focus on the prime daydreamer: the bored teenager.

Imagine how exciting it would be to make a discovery, any discovery, even as simple as this plant. To become one of those explorers who embarks on lengthy journeys, sketching and documenting their findings, earning recognition as geniuses. But does anyone even undertake such adventures anymore? Is there anything left to explore? And would I have the resilience to face challenges like dysentery, scurvy, or piranhas? My endurance barely carries me through track practice... but soon, I'll find the dedication to train before sunrise and excel in all my races. Winning will become second nature, and I might even pick up additional events just for fun. Then, I'll make it to the Olympics, where they'll have no option but to appoint me team captain, a role I'll graciously accept. Would I hold a grudge against the teammate who once yelled at me? No, I would simply respond, "I hope you're in a better mood." Perhaps your daydreams, along with those of others, resemble or feel something like this. Now, let's explore what's happening.

To observe the brain's activity during tasks, thinking, or daydreaming, scientists employ brain imaging techniques that reveal increased blood flow and energy usage in specific regions. These active brain areas work together and communicate, collectively known as the executive network. When your mind drifts into daydreaming, a different set of brain regions becomes active, constituting the default mode network. Although the term "default mode" might suggest inactivity, a closer examination reveals that these areas come into play when we revisit memories, contemplate future plans and aspirations, and, yes, when our minds embark on vivid daydreams. Daydreams can take various forms, from unproductive and distressing thoughts, like dwelling on past arguments, to neutral musings, such as planning the remainder of your day.

Yet, daydreaming becomes most intriguing when it transitions into the realm of spontaneous, unguided associative thinking that you're not consciously directing. This type of daydreaming has been linked to increased generation of ideas and positive emotions. Evidence suggests that daydreaming can aid people in visualizing strategies to attain their goals and navigate social relationships. Scientists propose that this process may consist of two essential phases: an initial stage where creative ideas and spontaneous thoughts flow freely, facilitated by the default mode network, followed by the selection, development, and pursuit of the most promising ideas through logical thinking, driven by the executive network. A range of brain imaging studies indicates that these two networks working in harmony is a critical component of creative thinking.

In summary, the evidence suggests that the logical domain of the executive network and the imaginative realm of the default mode network are closely interconnected. Even during daydreaming, the executive network continues to play a role. In teenagers, the prefrontal cortex and other areas associated with executive functions are still developing. Nevertheless, adolescents are fully capable of problem-solving and goal-setting, especially when provided with the space to do so independently. So do not worry if your teen seems to be lost in thought for a while. Unless negative emotions like sadness, anger and irritability accompany this action. It could be a sign that your teen is facing a problem that which they are struggling to deal with.Otherwise daydreaming is part of the growth process.