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Daydreaming during the middle of a task is the bane of productivity – or is it? According to The New York Times, there are actually virtues to the wandering mind, in addition to the obvious disadvantage of losing focus. Namely, researchers say that letting your thoughts stray can foster creativity, problem solving, and can even help individuals maintain progress toward long-term goals.
Psychologists say that the evolutionary advantage to wandering thoughts is that, while focused on a specific task at hand, individuals are more likely to remember other tasks and long-term goals. Studies also show that when the mind wanders, the brain is actually firing two networks – the “executive network,” which is typically used while focusing and completing tasks, and the “default network” that we use when we’re letting our thoughts meander. Many theorize that there’s an advantage to firing both networks at once, leading to improved creativity and problem-solving.
The good news is that, even if you don’t think you’re a creative type or you’re not good at focusing on long-term goals, you’re probably still letting your mind wander. Scientists have found that most adults “zone out” about 30% of the time, and sometimes more, depending on the task at hand. They also suggest choosing activities like walking, jogging, doodling, or knitting that are meant to encourage mind wandering.
