When we’re consciously doing things we’re using the “executive attention network, ” the parts of the brain that control and inhibit our attention. The attention network makes it possible for us to relate directly to the world presently around us.
By contrast, when our minds wander, we activate the brain’s “default mode network, ” which is the brain “at rest”; not focused on an external, goal-oriented task. In this mode, we still tap about 95% of the energy we use when our brains are engaged in focused thinking.
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Our brain’s executive system is active during any goal-oriented task, where there is a level of focus required.
During a period of passivity, the large scale brain networks become the default mode networks and work in tandem. This is our period of rest, where the entire br...
When we evoke our past or visualize our future, the default mode network region of the brain, which includes areas like the medial prefrontal cortex, are activated.
This is usually when we are relaxed and are letting our minds wander.
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