Why You Should Let Your Mind Wander

We’ve all been there. There’s a test to study for, or a new concept to learn for work — but we can’t help but daydream about something else entirely. For a long time now, the general assumption has been that a wandering mind is counterproductive. According to new research published in the Journal of Neuroscience, we might have that all wrong. 

The Study: Researchers at Eötövos Loránd University in Hungary designed a study in which they had 27 participants in their early 20s complete a simple probabilistic learning task while hooked up to an electroencephalogram, which measures electrical activity in the brain. Participants who said they allowed their minds to wander demonstrated a boost in their ability to learn the information.

The Takeaway: Next time you’re trying to learn something new, don’t be afraid to let your mind wander a bit. It may very well help you retain the information you’re trying to internalize. 

Keep in Mind: This study was designed specifically around simple learning tasks that didn’t require focused attention.