SUMMARY POINTS
Some days it happens more than usual. When you’re not scrambling with putting out fires and the workload is back to normal or even a bit light, your mind starts to drift off to other worlds that you’d rather be in at that moment.
Often, the thoughts are about living a life where everything is taken care of. There are no money problems. No bills to pay. No shitty relationships. It’s a world of complete freedom from all of life’s bullshit and issues.
The places in your head may vary from time to time but the theme is consistent. It’s a carefree place where all of life’s stresses are wiped away. Your mind drifts into a blissful state of dreamy imagination of what you’d rather be doing and where you’d be doing it.
Then, your coworker snaps you back to reality with a question, “Hey did you see that email about the premeeting today?”
Cue the record scratch as you mentally shake off the dreaming and try to refocus back on your surroundings.
Fuck. It’s back to the real world now.
Often, the thoughts are about living a life where everything is taken care of. There are no money problems. No bills to pay. No shitty relationships. It’s a world of complete freedom from all of life’s bullshit and issues.
The places in your head may vary from time to time but the theme is consistent. It’s a carefree place where all of life’s stresses are wiped away. Your mind drifts into a blissful state of dreamy imagination of what you’d rather be doing and where you’d be doing it.
Then, your coworker snaps you back to reality with a question, “Hey did you see that email about the premeeting today?”
Cue the record scratch as you mentally shake off the dreaming and try to refocus back on your surroundings.
Fuck. It’s back to the real world now.
Why You Daydream At Work
It’s one thing to catch yourself daydreaming but it’s a totally different thing when one of your coworkers catches you daydreaming. Those instances suck because it gives off the notion that you're slacking off when in reality, it’s not the case. It kinda puts a little smudge on your personal brand at work and makes you feel guilty.
Well, put those guilt trips to rest because science proves that letting your mind wander is crucial for both your mental health and productivity. It’s no bullshit.
According to this study from the Academy of Management, daydreaming gives your brain some wiggle room to go off on a mental tangent which can lead to increased creativity, problem-solving skills and overall well-being.
It’s also a way for your brain to take a little break. Think of it this way - you're doing your brain a favor by letting it take a mini-break from the direct intense thinking and allowing it to wander freely to think about positive things. It’s a way for your brain to generate some good vibes.
We’ve all heard that meditating at work is a great way to manage work stress but dammit if it isn’t hard as fuck sometimes. Our minds have a tough time not thinking about anything. We’re not Buddhist monks.
This is where daydreaming can really be the ideal format for relieving work stress. We’re letting our minds drift and wander freely to whatever feels good. There’s no force and no boundaries. It’s totally and completely open - just going with the flow. The mind will go to what it wants and needs at that moment - a break from reality.
Well, put those guilt trips to rest because science proves that letting your mind wander is crucial for both your mental health and productivity. It’s no bullshit.
According to this study from the Academy of Management, daydreaming gives your brain some wiggle room to go off on a mental tangent which can lead to increased creativity, problem-solving skills and overall well-being.
It’s also a way for your brain to take a little break. Think of it this way - you're doing your brain a favor by letting it take a mini-break from the direct intense thinking and allowing it to wander freely to think about positive things. It’s a way for your brain to generate some good vibes.
We’ve all heard that meditating at work is a great way to manage work stress but dammit if it isn’t hard as fuck sometimes. Our minds have a tough time not thinking about anything. We’re not Buddhist monks.
This is where daydreaming can really be the ideal format for relieving work stress. We’re letting our minds drift and wander freely to whatever feels good. There’s no force and no boundaries. It’s totally and completely open - just going with the flow. The mind will go to what it wants and needs at that moment - a break from reality.
Benefits Of Mental Wanderlust

If you're like most office workers, daydreaming is probably not high on your list of skills. But did you know that getting lost in dreamy fantasies while you're stuck at your desk could be a really good thing?
That's right – pressing pause on life and daydreaming at work can actually boost your mental health and help improve productivity. These small moments away from reality can have surprisingly rewarding benefits for both personal and professional growth.
That's right – pressing pause on life and daydreaming at work can actually boost your mental health and help improve productivity. These small moments away from reality can have surprisingly rewarding benefits for both personal and professional growth.
Harness Your Imagination To Boost Creativity
Your imagination might be the key to unlocking your creative potential. Researchers have found that when we let our minds wander and indulge in a bit of daydreaming, we're strengthening the network of brain regions responsible for creative thinking.
So, the next time your boss catches you zoning out and staring off into space, just tell them that you're hard at work harnessing your imagination. Who knows, it might just lead to your next big breakthrough.
So, the next time your boss catches you zoning out and staring off into space, just tell them that you're hard at work harnessing your imagination. Who knows, it might just lead to your next big breakthrough.
Foster Better Focus
This may seem completely contradictory but daydreaming can improve your focus. Picture this: You're sitting at your desk, staring at your computer screen, and you can feel your brain starting to melt like a popsicle in the sun. We've all been there before.
This is an internal signal and mechanism that your brain needs a little break. And when you allow it to drift off for a few minutes, you’re giving yourself a mental break kinda like a one-minute meditation. It may seem counterintuitive when you've got a million things on your to-do list, but taking a break to clear your mind can actually boost your productivity.
This is an internal signal and mechanism that your brain needs a little break. And when you allow it to drift off for a few minutes, you’re giving yourself a mental break kinda like a one-minute meditation. It may seem counterintuitive when you've got a million things on your to-do list, but taking a break to clear your mind can actually boost your productivity.
Unlock Deeper Concentration
Did you know that daydreaming could actually be a superpower? Think of it as a mini reset button for your concentration. When you find yourself gassing out, use that time to take a mental break and come back to reality with a renewed focus and drive.
Fundamentally, it’s the same as resting during a brisk walk in nature. But instead of giving your legs a break, you’re recharging your mental focus by allowing it to wander and process unrelated thoughts to let them go. This allows your brain to strengthen its focus and attack work.
Fundamentally, it’s the same as resting during a brisk walk in nature. But instead of giving your legs a break, you’re recharging your mental focus by allowing it to wander and process unrelated thoughts to let them go. This allows your brain to strengthen its focus and attack work.
Connect With Your Goals
Let's face it, we all want something out of life and work, whether it's a corner office, a beachfront house, or just to be able to afford an iced latte with avocado toast without guilt. But how do we actually get there?
It's time to connect with our goals and manifest them into existence. This could mean writing them down, creating vision boards, or just talking about them with your work BFF. But, it all starts with a dream. The dream is where it all begins. So, go ahead and think through your aspirational goals and then, write that shit down to get started. It will make your job “awesomer” and more purposeful.
It's time to connect with our goals and manifest them into existence. This could mean writing them down, creating vision boards, or just talking about them with your work BFF. But, it all starts with a dream. The dream is where it all begins. So, go ahead and think through your aspirational goals and then, write that shit down to get started. It will make your job “awesomer” and more purposeful.
Recharge With Relaxation
The best way to recharge your batteries is to do absolutely nothing at all. By letting your brain’s processor slow down to an idle speed from a million miles an hour, you’re effectively letting it cool down and catch up.
We all have a ton of grunt work on our plates but we need moments throughout the day to reflect on the bigger picture and appreciate where we are in life right now. Practicing gratitude makes office life easier. When you take a few steps back mentally and widen your perspective on things, you’ll see more of the good things in life. Kinda like the fact that your career is way more successful than you think.
We all have a ton of grunt work on our plates but we need moments throughout the day to reflect on the bigger picture and appreciate where we are in life right now. Practicing gratitude makes office life easier. When you take a few steps back mentally and widen your perspective on things, you’ll see more of the good things in life. Kinda like the fact that your career is way more successful than you think.
Embrace Wanderlust & Let Your Mind Flourish

Sitting at your desk and cranking out work non-stop isn’t good for you - at all. Sure, getting in the zone and knocking out tasks on your endless “to do list” is undeniably important but letting your mind wander from time to time can actually be beneficial for both productivity and mental wellbeing.
Daydreaming isn’t only fun, it nourishes both our mental health and productivity. Take advantage of the micro-moments to reset your focus, uncover creativity, think deeply, manifest goals and just fucking relax.
Use the time to mentally disconnect and leave all the bullshit behind for a moment. You’ll reconnect with yourself in ways you may not even realize you can. The key is to be present in each moment while daydreaming. You never know what gems of inspiration will pop up in your head.
So the next time you find yourself getting lost in that far away place that exists between reality and fiction: don’t worry, don’t fight it and let your mind do its thing. The working world will be just fine without you for a few minutes. It’ll all be good in the end.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]
Daydreaming isn’t only fun, it nourishes both our mental health and productivity. Take advantage of the micro-moments to reset your focus, uncover creativity, think deeply, manifest goals and just fucking relax.
Use the time to mentally disconnect and leave all the bullshit behind for a moment. You’ll reconnect with yourself in ways you may not even realize you can. The key is to be present in each moment while daydreaming. You never know what gems of inspiration will pop up in your head.
So the next time you find yourself getting lost in that far away place that exists between reality and fiction: don’t worry, don’t fight it and let your mind do its thing. The working world will be just fine without you for a few minutes. It’ll all be good in the end.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]