Zoning Out

Do you find that, every once in a while, you just stop paying attention? Some people call this daydreaming, others call it zoning out, and some call it boredom, or just a little break from all that stimulation. You've been told that this is bad, and you've trained yourself to never do it while driving. But you shouldn't feel guilty about zoning out, because science has found that your brain is actually performing necessary tasks while you aren't thinking about anything in particular.

The latest research finds that zoning out behavior in your brain resembles what happens during deep sleep, and it happens more when you don't get enough sleep. There are physiological processes that occur during those times that result in biological hygiene. And since zoning out can be beneficial, maybe we should reserve some time to give in to those urges and let our brains rest. (via Geeks Are Sexy)