![A woman stares out of a window in a train car](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2024/07/n21262858/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1720724826603.jpg)
Could daydreaming actually be healthy for your brain?
UC, Children's experts join WVXU's Cincinnati Edition
The University of Cincinnati's Rhonna Shatz and Cincinnati Children's Stephen Becker joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss research on how daydreaming can affect the brain of children and adults.
Shatz explained that daydreaming is a state of mind wandering that comes from activity of the default brain network.
"It has a purpose of guarding us...and it is helping us to not just process information coming from our senses, but to make sense of it," said Shatz, DO, adjunct associate professor, division director for behavioral neurology, the Bob and Sandy Heimann Endowed Chair in Research and Education in Alzheimer’s Disease in the UC College of Medicine and a UC Health physician. "So it is designed both for the moment what’s happening to us and how relevant is it to us as well as some work during sleep as well in terms of memory."
In a study of mice, Harvard researchers found daydreaming may help with neuroplasticity.
"Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to be resilient in the face of a threat or an injury," Shatz said. "It is also building access linkages so that if we lose a few we still have enough remaining for us to maintain function."
Becker, PhD, a professor in UC's Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine, pediatric psychologist and director of research in Cincinnati Children's Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, discussed his research with children with cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS), which includes daydreaming excessively and other related behaviors.
While CDS can negatively impact academic and socio-emotional functioning, Becker noted it also has some positive effects for children.
"When we’ve interviewed families...they also talk about, 'My kid is so creative or they’re really drawn to the arts,'" said Becker, who is also the codirector of Cincinnati Children's Center for ADHD. "So our goal is not to take away by any way, shape or form daydreaming, but how do we think about being able to manage it in a way in context and settings where it is more helpful compared to other settings where it’s more detrimental like in the classroom."
Listen to the Cincinnati Edition segment.
Featured photo at top of a woman daydreaming. Photo/Recep-BG/iStock.
Related Stories
Vote in the 2021 Staff Senate election
May 4, 2021
The University of Cincinnati Staff Senate serves as an advisory body to the president and university administration and provides an equitable representative voice for university staff.
CNN: UC group aims to change air travel with 'Coffee House Cabin'
May 4, 2021
People seem eager to plan vacations, especially after this past year, but the pandemic means the future of air travel could change. A group of University of Cincinnati students and professors are trying to pilot an innovative idea.
UC faculty, staff can dine for $8 at On the Green
May 4, 2021
UC employees can take advantage of $8 meals at On the Green dining center.
New sites available now on Bearcats Landing
April 29, 2021
Learn more about the new sites launched on Bearcats Landing, UC's new intranet.
A new treatment for rare muscular disease
April 16, 2021
Hani Kushlaf, MD, presented findings on a new treatment for Pompe disease, a rare neuromuscular disease, virtually at the American Academy of Neurology on April 17.
Three Cincinnati Law faculty honored with University awards
April 16, 2021
Three University of Cincinnati College of Law faculty members are being honored with university awards.
CCM Dean's Medal Awardee Betty Glover is a trailblazer for women in music
April 8, 2021
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music alumnus Betty Glover (BM, ’44) is no stranger to having the title of “first.” As one of the first female trombonists in the country, she made her mark on the world of music and enjoyed an incredible career.
NBC News: Silk masks are good for skin, staying safe
April 12, 2021
UC biologist Patrick Guerra talks to NBC News about why silk is a good material for face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On-campus vaccine clinic for UC employees, their family members, April 14
April 12, 2021
Reminder letter to faculty and staff
Faculty Awards 2021: Cynthia Nitz Ris
April 7, 2021
Bringing a singular spirit of service to her work with UC, Cynthia Nitz Ris, JD, PhD and Professor, Educator in the Department of English, has built a long history of impact on UC since 2005. Serving in some 50 administrative roles at the state, university, college and departmental levels, her influence has helped shape the fabric of the UC community.