THE BIG QUESTION
Why can’t I do anything without my headphones?
Answer Unless you’re at a pivotal point in your true crime podcast or you suffer from noise sensitivity that makes birdsong sound like a World Cup final, we suspect the thing you’re actually addicted to is what your headphones are plugged into: your phone. But being perma-plugged may mean you’re missing out on more than birdsong. A growing body of research is pointing to the neurobenefits of letting your mind wanderfound mind-wandering had an energising effect at work. “Our data suggested that individuals use their daydreams as a type of ‘microbreak’ that allowed them to … return with increased energy and focus,” says lead researcher Kelsey Merlo. Got a big morning meeting? Swap the headphones for birdsong and blue-sky thinking.
