Benefits and harms of wandering mind
A Life / / December 19, 2019
When you are standing in a traffic jam or in line with the discharged smartphone, wash the floors in the apartment, resting between sets at the gym, what do you think? About anything specific, your mind just wanders, clinging to the different events, takes you into the past or looking to the future. You do not know where these thoughts lead you, and do not control the flow of thought.
One study revealed that our mind is in a state of wandering 46.9% of the time.
Today more and more people talk about meditation and concentration on tasks. So that free thinking or wandering mind without specific goals seem futile exercise, which only takes away your time. But is it? Let's investigate.
How the brain works during the wanderings of the mind
With the help of MRI and EEG, scientists can track which parts of the brain are working during different tasks. So there are plenty of research in brain activity and draws conclusions which brain structures are responsible for specific tasks.
Exploring the brain
during mind wandering, scientists have seen an unusual, even unique picture. In the course of the two systems are involved: the default system-the brain and the executive system.Default-brain system - a set of brain structures, the activity of which is reduced when performing most tasks. Default system is activated when a person thinks of the important events of his life, thinking about what awaits him in the future, or about relationships with other people.
Executive system of the brain - a set of processes to plan their activities in accordance with the purpose and reaction to change depending on the context. Is responsible for the suppression of the learned response to stimuli, such as for refusing to delicious food in accordance with the purpose of losing weight. Also it works while exploring new incentives, providing a flexibility of mind.
Typically, these systems operate in the brain at a time when a default system is turned on, turned off the executive. During the wanderings of the mind includes both, which is similar to the brain work during the creative thinking. Before it comes the understanding and solution of the problems include brain areas such as the dorsal part of the cingulate gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex.
Thus mind walk allows simultaneous execution processes run without inhibiting wherein the default system brain for creativity and mental simulation.
Wandering mind and creativity
research We have shown that people who are prone to wandering of the mind, are better at creative tasks. For example, with the task to word association, when it is necessary to say that the similarities between the three seemingly unrelated to each other words. Perhaps this is due to the simultaneous operation of the two systems in the brain.
To stimulate the creative process, you can go for a walk or to do tasks at runtime that you can meditate. However, creativity is not enough to let go of thoughts, one must also learn to notice that your mind is wandering and catch the idea that come during this.
Wandering mind - a good indicator of the working memory
New study found that the wandering mind interacts with working memory.
Working memory - a type of memory that allows you to store and save the event, despite the distractions.
Here is an example of such a memory. You had dinner with a friend, say goodbye and promise to call him as you go home. Along the way you get into a minor accident. Stress, abuse, experiences, design an accident... And when, after all this, you finally come home, you still remember that you need to call a friend.
During the experiment, researchers have established whether there is a relationship between the volume of a person's working memory and its tendency to free thinking. To find out, they first asked participants to perform two very simple tasks that would have forced them to withdraw to their thoughts. For example, press a button in response to the letters on the screen. During the job, researchers recorded, retain the attention of the participants whether or not. Then they checked the condition of the working memory test, offering them to memorize a series of letters, interspersing this task simple mathematical examples.
It turned out that there is a relationship between the wandering thoughts in the first task, and good performance in the second storing. Members, more than those who are in my thoughts during the first task, it is better to memorize a series of letters, despite the constant switching on mathematical examples.
When you perform simple tasks people with a good working memory can float away in thought, thinking about something besides the problem. In other words, they too large supply of memoryWasting it on simple tasks.
The researchers suggest that the thought process underlying the wandering of the mind, similar to the process of working memory functioning. And she, in turn, is related to the level of intelligence in general.
Avoiding stress and hunger for information
Wandering mind helps to some extent to abstract from reality in order to reduce stress and psychological pressure. For example, studies have found that inmates in prisons constantly go into the dream from the harsh reality. Sometimes they do it consciously, but more often the brain chooses this method of protection from the unattractive reality.
In addition, the wandering mind helps brighten up the dull moments during the hunger for information. For example, when you really have nothing to do and what to see (in the subway, in traffic, in line), you simply go to your thoughts, and time passes quickly. Try at a time to focus on what is happening, and every minute for you will last forever.
Also wandering mind - it is a way "for free" get a little dopamine. Each non-existent until the achievement that you scroll through in my head, causes the release of neurotransmitter. However, it can also work against you, accustomed to such a method for producing dopamine, you can turn into an idle dreamer, all the achievements of which - only in his head.
Wandering mind against happiness in reality
Many religious teachings and practices argue that happiness can be attained only in the present, focusing on reality. Make it helps meditation.
If you do not control the wandering mind, and get used to enjoy the dreams and achievements of non-existent, it will not bring you happiness. On the contrary, the disparity of the imaginary world and the real picture will plunge you into depression and a reluctance to change something. Therefore, as in the case with creativity and new ideas, you must learn to control the wandering mind: let the thoughts float freely, but keep track of where they give birth to you, and be able to stop the flow of their own will.
evolutionary jackpot
So, wandering mind - it is part of an exceptional human ability that distinguishes our species from all others. Some great discoveries, beautiful creations and deep thoughts - is the result of the lack of specific topics of reflection. Anyone who has ever experienced the moment of epiphany during a relaxed flow of thinking, for example, washing in the shower, can attest to this phenomenon.
Wandering thoughts - is an evolutionary jackpot, got to our species. Perhaps there is even a greater advantage than in a conscious strategic thinking. Free thinking, with a unique neurological picture, open up opportunities for the construction of random connections and associations, which are so necessary for creativity.
So put gadgets and allow your thoughts to flow freely. You may find unexpected solutions or worthwhile ideas.