Is daydreaming good? In most cases, being a “dreamer” is superficially judged as a negative quality. One thinks of someone whose feet are not on the ground and whose reality is assumed to be out of date with the world we share and see as a collective. And indeed, that may be so, but it has been thanks to the dreamers that the planet has presented multiple evolutions – and that it is renewed – since these minds extract a unique essence from dispersed worlds and share it with society.
It would be worth stopping to think for a moment and question whether, today, our paradigm needs to empower these dreaming minds and learn from their lightness. On the other hand, those dreamers who face the waves of fantasy must be very clear to what extent it is healthy, and even productive, to let themselves be carried away by its waters and not allow the mind to completely distance us from reality.
Currently there is multiple research that shows the benefits of being a dreamer, as well as the certainty that this is a characteristic of our species. Here we present five advantages.
Motivate your creativity
Different studies have pointed out that people who have their heads in the clouds are more imaginative. Thanks to a study carried out at the University of California, Santa Barbara, it was discovered that people can create viable and creative solutions when they are in an environment that favors mental dispersion. According to the test, the experimental subjects were asked what functions an object could have and were asked to write them down on a sheet of paper. Subsequently, a few were placed in a room with relaxing music and asked to do some task that caused distraction and, therefore, daydream, while the others continued in the same conditions. Then, they were asked the same question again. The result: people carrying out activities that allowed them to be dreamers had a percentage greater than 40% of responses than their peers.
It gives you a good memory
According to studies from the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin and the Max Plank Institute of Human Cognition, the ability to daydream improves memory. It not only allows greater activity at the neuronal level, but also optimizes brain connections. This discovery occurred when several participants, all known to be dreamers, demonstrated a better ability to remember cards when doing mathematical exercises compared to other participants who were not dreamers.
You take care of your mental health
According to scientist J. Singer and his collaborators, the ability to be a dreamer is related to mental activity in a positive way, as well as better mental health and happiness. Studies based on delayed pleasure showed that children with greater ability to imagine had more patience and, therefore, could wait for positive stimulation without becoming stressed; The opposite happened with their counterparts, who did not have the same propensity for fantasy.
It is a planning exercise
Lately there has been an increase in the number of articles that ensure that this ability allows us to make future plans. The conclusion is not arbitrary. Because this activity is a reflection that is carried out alone, many times there is concentration and the opportunity for the person to think about themselves, what they want and their goals. This also makes the individual more assertive and effective in their daily tasks.
Strengthen your emotional intelligence
In the words of scientist, researcher and writer, Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, daydreaming makes us better people. This activity not only allows us to reflect on our actions and their consequences, but it is also the opportunity to have greater empathy towards others. Likewise, this means that people who carry out this activity will have a higher percentage of success in their interpersonal relationships compared to those who do not do it. The reason is that a dreamer has a much easier time feeling in someone else’s shoes.
Without a doubt, and as Amélie Poulain would say, these days are difficult times for dreamers, but the benefits of daydreaming are a reward that everyone should give themselves the opportunity to try.