Also known as Positive Constructive Daydreaming, a review of ground-breaking study conducted by Jerome L. Singer et al in 2013 found that “…Singer’s research produced evidence suggesting that daydreaming, imagination, and fantasy are essential elements of a healthy, satisfying mental life.” Simply put, zoning out and allowing our minds to wander is good for our mental health.
Ask the Scientists, reinforces the significance of being “not actively engaged in a task that requires a lot of attention” in order to engage the brain’s default mode network (DMN), which is, “…just a fancy way of saying that your brain’s energy is no longer being exerted on conscious tasks. Basically, your mind is allowed to wander or zone out. And that’s a good thing.”
Allowing your mind to wander is a lovely suggestion, yet it privileges the idea that one’s mind is free to wander. Navigating a pandemic and climate catastrophe alongside a grim news cycle affords very little space for carefree thoughts, and that isn’t including whatever personal hardships an individual may be faced with.
“Challenge the thoughts that pop up,” says Charlotte, when discussing obtrusive thoughts, those worries that gate-crash our everyday stream of consciousness, hijacking all hopes of a peaceful daydream.
She goes on to suggest that rather than accepting these worries as fact, we question them. Charlotte encourages that we ask ourselves, “Is this something I can solve? Is it reasonable to deal with it right now? Is it urgent or can it be postponed until a better time? Often things that go through our minds are things we cannot deal with there and then or things that are outside of our control, so either postpone them to another time or let them go.”
And what suggestions does she have for busy-minded individuals like myself who feel more drained than refreshed after extended periods of doing nothing? “Active rest,” Charlotte tells me, “activities that help you to engage your mind can help you to relax even if you are physically doing something, as this encourages cognitive rest. Activities such as yoga, walking, reading, colouring etc. If you struggle to rest your mind, try a relaxing activity and focus your attention on what you are doing.”
Whilst pursuing an activity may seem counterintuitive when it comes to pursuing rest, Charlotte explains that “engaging your mind in these activities can help it to disengage from worries, reducing physiological stress and tension. Even doing something active with your mind engaged will be more restful than sitting down but worrying for hours.”
Udělej mi radost a pozvi mě na kávu. Opravdu mě potěší, když si ji jednou nebudu muset koupit sama.
COOLna 
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