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This week, we answer a question from Savvy listener, Phillip L. He’s been following the latest research connecting daydreaming and creativity, and asks if daydreaming is so great, why isn’t it more satisfying? Why do we feel like we’re wasting time?

The short answer is that, in a culture that values productivity and goal-directed behavior, daydreaming is looked at, at best, as a momentary distraction--and at worst, irresponsible loafing. But it turns out that daydreaming, zoning out, and spacing out--collectively called "mind wandering" by psychological researchers--is a mixed bag, with both benefits and costs.

What is Mind Wandering?

But before we get into that, let’s define "mind wandering," so we’re all zoning out on the same page, as it were. Mind wandering is “a shift of attention away from a primary task, toward internal information,” or “stimulus-independent thought.” In other words, it’s what’s happening when you’re trying to read "War and Peace," but your mind is planning dinner. Or when you’ve been staring at the TV, but you suddenly realize you have no idea what Phil and Claire are talking about.

Mind wandering happens on two levels: one, when we realize we’re not on task, and two, when we’re not even aware that our mind is drifting. The latter, mind wandering without awareness, is officially called "zoning out."



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