When the famous scientist Albert Einstein was 16 years old, he imagined himself riding alongside a beam (束) of light. He used this picture in mind to help him when working out the "theory of relativity(相对论)". "Imagination is more important than knowledge," said Einstein.
Daydreaming, called "thought experiments" by Einstein, can make you have wild imaginings, like flying around in space. It lets your mind walk slowly around ideas, memories and experiences that aren't happening right now. It means thinking ahead to a holiday or remembering how much you enjoyed a birthday party. According to China's health authorities(权威机构), daydreaming for a while each day can improve your health and creativity.
Disappearing into a daydream lets your mind escape when things are difficult. It helps you deal with worries and fears. For example, imagining how you're going to speak up in class is like practicing the scene in your head, which can make you feel calmer. Daydreaming also inspires creativity and lets you find new worlds where there are no limits (限制) to what you can do or who you are. Guo Qiang, an expert in thoughts and feelings, thinks we should all make time to daydream. "Thinking for pleasure can be a powerful tool to shape our feelings," he said.
However, try not to let your mind be absent when you need to focus (聚焦) in class or cross the road. Instead, find a time when you don't have to focus on anything, like going for a walk or brushing your teeth. Guo suggests you can start by focusing on a happy memory or imagining a future success, like scoring a goal in the World Cup.
To encourage creativity, think about interesting ideas and see where your mind takes you. Research shows that people often come up with more solutions to problems after they've taken a break. So next time you're stuck with homework, stop for a moment and see where your daydreams take you.
