Daydreaming is a great way to create new ideas. If you give your mind a chance to wander, you'll be amazed at how creative you can be. Daydreaming about achieving goals can also motivate you to achieve them. If you have a few minutes to spare, try daydreaming instead of playing video games or reading news online. Daydreaming will make you feel more relaxed, positive, and motivated.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Prepare
Step 1. Give yourself permission
Daydreaming is sometimes considered a bad thing because many think daydreaming will only be a waste of time. If you have 20 minutes of free time, shouldn't you use this time more productively? Research proves that daydreaming is actually a productive activity. Apart from giving you the ability to be more creative, daydreaming can even give you motivation to achieve your goals. So just do it and give yourself permission to daydream as a part of your daily life.
- A study conducted by the University of California, Santa Barbara proved that those who daydream scored 41 percent better than those who did not daydream on a test that measures creative thinking skills.
- On the other hand, if you allow your mind to wander away from the present just to fantasize about what will never happen, such as hoping you'll win the lottery, daydreaming can actually make you even more unhappy. Research shows that focused attention on the present leads to greater happiness, so don't let daydreams become a way to break free from the realities of life.
Step 2. Free yourself from distractions
Daydreaming, like dreaming at night, is best done when you are in a relatively calm environment without too much to distract you. Before you start daydreaming, try to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere, even if you only have a few minutes. You can daydream anywhere, anytime, throughout the day, whether you're at home or outside.
- If you can, find a quiet place to daydream, such as an empty room or even the bathroom. If you want to daydream in public, it's a good idea to wear headphones so you feel calm enough to let your mind wander.
- Before you start daydreaming, don't let your body be hungry, thirsty or need something that can distract you from your daydream.
- Listen to music to overcome distractions and make your daydreams better, because music is usually full of emotion. Choose songs that match the mood in your dream.
Step 3. Look out the window or close your eyes
Everyone will express a slightly different "dreamy face". Some can easily let their minds wander while looking out the window or looking up at the sky, while others prefer to daydream with their eyes closed. Choose the way that makes you feel most relaxed and can think without being distracted.
Step 4. Let your mind wander in a positive direction
There are several kinds of daydreams, and not all of them have a positive effect on your mind and mood. If you allow negative thoughts to overwhelm you (such as wanting to get revenge on your ex) you will become even more uncomfortable. But the great thing about daydreaming is that you can control your thoughts (much easier than lucid dreaming, of course) to make sure that each of your daydreams makes you feel better.
- Positive and constructive daydreaming has to do with openness to new experiences, happiness and creativity.
- On the other hand, unpleasant daydreams full of guilt, such as daydreaming about failure, bad events or hurting others, will give rise to negative emotions such as anxiety and guilt.
- A third kind of daydream can occur if you are not able to control your attention; your mind wanders all over the place because you have a hard time focusing on the present. Daydreaming in this way will not bring positive results, because daydreaming is not under your control.
Method 2 of 3: Knowing What to Dream of
Step 1. Dream about the future you want
Daydreaming with a goal in mind will keep you motivated to achieve it. Allow yourself to imagine about your life so that your life can be what you want it to be. Imagine your future as if you had already seen it happen, while allowing yourself to enjoy the freedom of enjoying your fantasies. Do you want to be president? Moving to another country? Setting up your own company? Fall in love and have a family? Everything you can create in your dream.
Try to imagine what makes you happy and turn it into a story. Keep the storyline and characters consistent to make it feel more fun and easier if you are in a different environment. Create positive stories and situations, and keep building on them whenever you daydream
Step 2. Dream about the things you love
Maybe this dream won't be quite as productive as you dream about your goals, but daydreaming about the things you enjoy will feel very nice. Dream about things that make you happy, such as certain people, activities, places, and even foods that make you smile. But keep in mind, if you use this habit of daydreaming about the things you love to free your mind from what you're dealing with, you may end up less happy.
- For example, excite yourself by daydreaming about your favorite vacation spot. Your daydreams will add to your happiness if one day you actually have plans to go there.
- But if you're daydreaming about what you can't get, like being in love with someone you're not alone anymore, daydreaming can be a recipe for frustration.
Step 3. Make it seem as if you have already experienced it in your dream
Imagine a situation in real life and experience this situation in your mind. Do the movements in your mind with as much force as you really want to do them. This will improve your problem-solving skills and your ability to think from the other person's point of view.
- As another example, imagine yourself being thrown into a world in your favorite book or movie. What would you do? How do the other characters respond to your sudden appearance? (Unless you've been there all along?) What will the antagonist say?
- You can also imagine yourself as someone else, and think about what qualities you admire in this person. How does this person respond to different situations and problems?
Step 4. Dream about something creative
Daydreaming is an excellent way to create new ideas for storytelling, music, art and innovative products. Let your mind wander freely and see What you can dream of. Don't let everything be limited!
- For example, you can imagine a product you like and then find a better way to make it and how you can do it.
- If you like your idea, don't forget to jot it down. Maybe one day you can take advantage of this idea.
Method 3 of 3: Deciding on a Place to Daydream
Step 1. Daydreaming during breaks in class or at work
Daydreaming is always a lot of fun because you can do it anytime, anywhere. Allow your mind to rest if you have free time during class changes or in between your work. If you have free time, try daydreaming instead of using your phone or computer to entertain yourself. Your tired brain will thank you!
Daydreaming while studying or working has been heard from time immemorial, but you can run into problems if you don't pay attention to what's happening in front of you. Try to concentrate on what is going on and postpone your daydreams until you are in a completely distraction-free environment
Step 2. Daydreaming in a car, train or bus
The best way to daydream is when you are in a vehicle. Watching the bustle that is going on outside through the window of your car, train or bus, there is something that can relax your mind and feel free. Try to find a window seat and take advantage of this opportunity by letting your mind wander where it pleases.
Step 3. Daydreaming while exercising
If you enjoy running, swimming, walking, or doing sports alone, you've actually created your own opportunity to daydream. Take this time to imagine whatever you want, maybe you want to plot a storyline you're writing or make plans for your Christmas vacation.
Step 4. Daydream in the morning and at night
The best times to daydream are early in the morning and at night before you go to sleep. You are already in bed, and your mind is relaxed with few distractions. Logical thoughts will no longer interfere too much when you are too tired to care about your daydreams that seem so unreasonable.
Tips
- The best time to daydream is when you're not happy or have an idea you want to develop. Daydreaming will make you excited and who knows something awesome will pop up in your daydream!
- Create a completely new character for yourself, the trick is to imagine yourself as someone with a new character. Try placing yourself with this new character in a variety of different situations!
- To get better at your daydream, shape your tactile memory by trying to feel it and then try to remember how it felt afterwards.
- Learn how to daydream and then notice what's happening around you at the same time. This sounds like it's thwarting the purpose of daydreaming, but it's actually easier this way.
- Don't lose focus by daydreaming when you're talking to other people because your attitude will irritate them.
- Don't daydream when you have to do an assignment at school or work. You can be fired or demoted.
