Why daydreaming might be the productivity hack your brain needs.

When was the last time you properly let your mind wander?

Not the kind where you're lying awake at 3am replaying conversations or mentally running through tomorrow's to-do list. The good kind. The drifting, slightly dreamy kind.

As children, daydreaming is a natural part of life. Somewhere along the way into adulthood, though, many of us decided that staring into space was a waste of time. There are emails to answer. Washing to put away. Kids' lunches to pack. Work deadlines. Another WhatsApp message asking if anyone has seen Annebelle’s jumper….

However, it turns out, daydreaming might be exactly what your brain needs to boost productivity. Letting your mind wander has been linked to better creativity, lower stress levels and improved problem-solving. Studies published in Psychological Science and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences show that daydreaming activates the brain’s ‘default mode network,’ which supports imagination, future planning and creative thinking.

The irony is that letting your mind wander may actually give your brain something it doesn't get much of these days: space. ‘Daydreaming opens up your creative side by giving your brain a break from having to process the endless torrent of sensory information experienced from the outside world.’ explains neuroscientist Dr Jack Lewis. ‘When we do manage to successfully switch off from the outside world, we are better able to tap into idle thoughts, novel ideas and solutions to problems that are forever bubbling up from deep within our subconscious’.

In other words, that slightly unfocused, floaty state? It’s not you zoning out, it’s your brain doing some of its best work. There is a catch, though. Not every wandering thought is going to leave you feeling inspired. There is the kind that lets your mind wander, sparks an idea or gives you a bit of breathing space. And then there is the version that spirals into overthinking, anxiety and a mind that simply won't switch off. Some research studies into mind wandering have found links with creative thinking, particularly when the mind is given time away from a problem, while other research suggests the type and context of the thoughts matter.

Life in your 40s and 50s can feel like one plate spinning exercise. Which is why deliberately creating a bit of mental space can feel surprisingly useful. Research commissioned by SodaStream with Dr Jack Lewis found that seven in ten people said they had experienced a breakthrough idea while daydreaming, while more than a quarter said daydreaming had helped them solve a personal or work problem.

So how do you actually give your brain permission to wander? Dr Lewis shares his top tips:

Create some space

‘Distance yourself from distractions – tune out the outside world,’ he says. ‘To give yourself the best chance of daydreaming positively, carve out a dedicated space that ensures you won’t be jolted out of your reverie. What’s key to productive daydreaming is allowing your mind to be calm, and techniques like breathing exercises or a soothing playlist with a steady beat can help achieve this.’

In practice: Find somewhere quiet at home you can rest up or take a walk without your phone.

Think freely

‘Allow yourself to think freely – don’t be negative or self-critical,’ he says. ‘Get rid of your preconceived beliefs that daydreaming is bad and embrace the process. The best results will come from you thinking beyond the mundane, such as walking near your office, and to things completely fantastical such as flying through a wonderland or swimming in the ocean with dolphins.’

In practice: Your daydream doesn't need to be useful. You don't have to turn every thought into a business idea, a life plan or a new wellness goal. Let your brain wander somewhere completely ridiculous.

Follow the tangents

‘Most of our waking life is spent in convergent thinking, following a narrative or set of rules that someone else has dictated to us,’ he says. ‘The joy of a daydream is that it allows us to think divergently and ensures we’re not limited by the mundanity of daily life.’

In practice: You don't need to force yourself back onto a thought. Dolphins might lead you to thinking about moving to Italy and opening a bakery. The wandering is the point. Just try not to get lost in a worry spiral.

Keep your hands busy

‘Scientific research shows we daydream more creatively when doing something uncomplicated and repetitive with our hands,’ he says. ‘Whether that’s doodling, stacking books, or making your favourite drink, as long as our hands are occupied with an undemanding activity, your creative daydream is likely to improve.’

In practice: Doodle, make a cup of tea, do the ironing… this makes daydreaming feel less like sitting around doing nothing.

Don't forget the basics

‘Stay hydrated,’ he adds. ‘A dehydrated brain causes our 86 billion neurons to send messages at a sluggish rate and the simple act of staying hydrated can prevent this. Being productive in our water intake becomes increasingly important the older we get, as we often don’t feel thirsty until we are very dehydrated.’

In practice: Keep a bottle of water nearby and actually drink it. Revolutionary, I know.

Dr Jack Lewis is a neuroscientist, speaker and author of Sort Your Brain Out

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