Daydreaming Psychology

Just imagine, you are really sick and tired of your daily routine and increasing workload. Suddenly your boss comes and offers you couple tickets for Switzerland. You are awe struck and surprised to death. Now, you are super excited and leave for Switzerland the very next day with your spouse. You check in to a very plush seven star hotel with multi-cuisine restaurants and a hot water swimming pool. The view from your suite window is amazingly beautiful, with green mountains half covered with snow, where you'll be skiing after having your continental breakfast.........now enough, wake up!!! Daydreaming is nothing but what you just experienced, an escape from unwanted reality, and physical or mental pressures. Any sensory input such as taste, smell, sound, touch, sight and situations or memories, that link to some emotions, can trigger the daydream.

What is Daydreaming?
Daydreaming is a form of imagination, fantasies or thoughts that occur to a person while awake. The person forms images of certain situations, events or persons he or she has either experienced before, or never come across before. People can daydream just about anything under the sun, as well as beyond intangible and abstract thinking. Sometimes people try to re-live old experiences again by imagining themselves in that situation. For example, a couple may rekindle their romantic memories by thinking about their courtship days. They might form certain images of prominent events in those days or all the related memories will just run through their mind as if they are watching a mute film. Sometimes, people rehearse future conversations or foresee certain events or things, for example an amateur singer may dream of becoming a rock star and Michael Jackson taking his autograph. Daydreaming is about having a wandering mind full of imagination.

According to psychologists, one third to one half thoughts of humans are a part of daydreams, and the average person daydreams about every ninety minutes. However, such daydreams do not last more than a few minutes. Psychologists also say that daydreams first occur in childhood, when a child is around 3 years old. The daydream pattern and frequency differs from individual to individual. Children who daydream about positive and happy things, continue to dream like that in the adulthood, whereas children daydreaming about negative and scary things will transfer the same pattern in adulthood are tend to suffer from anxiety and fear.

Effects of Daydreaming
Earlier, daydreaming had a negative connotation attached to it. It was said that only lazy people indulged in daydreaming. Then psychologists argued that daydreaming is an early sign of mental illnesses and daydreamers were people with unfulfilled desires. But gradually the view changed and people studying psychology of daydreaming unanimously agree that daydreaming is a natural and normal human phenomenon.

Excessive daydreaming generally signifies mental or emotional problems. People who daydream to avoid important responsibilities or unpleasant feelings are at higher risk of developing metal problems. Maladaptive daydreaming can also lead to visual hallucinations, where a daydreamer confuses reality with the dream and perceives dreams as reality. Daydreaming psychology needs the attention of psychotherapy if it affects daily activities performed by an individual. Over daydreaming makes a person isolated and withdrawn from social activities. However, daydreaming has lot of positive effects on human psychology. While daydreaming, the rare complex cells of the brains are used, that tap the knowledge stored in the subconscious mind. It can boost creativity and innovative thinking in people. Many writers, artists, painters, scientists develop new ideas while daydreaming. Daydreams allow you to drift away from the reality for a while and helps you to envision pleasing things, such as success and achievements that can motivate and inspire you to reach your goals in life. The good things about daydreams is that we can control them if we wish to, unlike general dreams that occur when we are asleep.

Moderate daydreaming is good for the human brain, as it allows free association of random things resulting in creative problem solutions. This psychology helps us explore a wide range of imaginary issues through our mind's eye.