Children’s minds often drift away to a peaceful place during playtime (or whenever they want!). However, a recent study published in the journal Emotion found that daydreaming is actually more difficult for adults; we often lose this imaginative practice as we age. To actually daydream, our brains have to create positive thoughts — which can be a challenge.
Erin Westgate, Ph. D., a University of Florida psychology professor and her team noted that since daydreaming is associated with our emotions, people who do so can better tolerate pain and boost their overall wellness. They rounded up a group of volunteers to test this theory. The researchers asked participants to think positive, meaningful thoughts. While the team supposed that this would help volunteers daydream, the participants in the study didn’t like the process and wanted a guided experience, instead. “It was heavy stuff. It didn’t seem to occur to them that they could use the time to enjoy their own thoughts,” Westgate said.
According to the study’s results, volunteers thought about things that actually didn’t have strong ties to their memories or emotions, like ice cream. Participants noted a 50-percent boost to their creative thinking when study authors gave them topics to choose from, like future goals, anticipated events, and favorite memories. Ultimately, thinking positively through daydreaming has incredible mental benefits. “It’s something that sets us apart. It defines our humanity. It allows us to imagine new realities, however, that kind of thinking requires practice,” noted Westgate.
To accomplish this on your own, try to have enjoyable thoughts. “This is something all of us can do once you have the concept. But keep in mind this is hard for everybody. There’s no good evidence that some types of people are simply better thinkers. The encouraging part is we can all get better.” Lastly, daydreaming at the right times, like during day-to-day tasks, brushing your teeth, or bathing, will make the process smoother. “The next time you’re walking, instead of pulling out your phone, try it,” said Westgate. “As you build your ability to daydream, you’ll have a source of enjoyable thoughts at your disposal during stressful times.”
8. What do we know about daydreaming?
A.It can make people younger. | B.Children are better at it. |
C.It kills adults’ imagination. | D.A daydreamer is pain free. |
9. What’s the problem for adults to daydream according to the study?
A.They lack guidance. | B.They can’t concentrate. |
C.They struggle with positive thinking. | D.They think it a waste of time. |
10. What might be the result of daydreaming under guidance?
A.More creative. | B.More emotional. |
C.More confident. | D.More generous. |
11. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A.To show the benefits of daydreaming. |
B.To erase the doubts about daydreaming. |
C.To teach people to reclaim daydreaming. |
D.To compare adults with children in daydreaming. |