No thoughts, your eyes wander. There is complete silence in your head, even though you were actively thinking about something or concentrating on a task until just now. It’s almost as if you suddenly drift off into a dreamless sleep, but with your eyes open. We are probably all familiar with this phenomenon, which is known as ‘mind blanking’. In German, the term would be translated as ‘mental emptiness’. This is a good way of describing this state, as the brain does not generate any conscious thoughts at the moment of mind blanking and you have the feeling of being mentally ‘switched off’. What exactly is behind this phenomenon? What causes it? Is it actually a form of sleep? Or rather a sign of too little sleep? How can you prevent mind blanking? We will address these questions in this article to give you an overview of this fascinating topic.
- What is mind blanking?
Mind blanking describes the state in which the brain shows no recognisable cognitive activity. Normally, our brain runs at full speed even when we are not concentrating on a specific task. Even when we are daydreaming, we are occupied with various thoughts or scenarios. During mind blanking, however, the brain seems to switch into a kind of idle mode. You are awake and conscious, but there are no active, tangible thoughts.
In this cognitive state, people are temporarily unable to access information or memory content. You can compare this to a computer that has hung up: It is switched on but does not respond.
- What are the causes of this phenomenon?
There are various reasons why you can fall into a state of mind blank. These can be both psychological and physical. For example, our brain is flooded with a multitude of stimuli and information every day, which can lead to short-term overload. In such moments, the brain switches off, so to speak, in order to recover. Severe stress or great anxiety can also cause the brain to have problems sorting, organising and recalling thoughts. Those affected then feel ‘blocked’ and have great difficulty concentrating. This can also lead to mind blanking.
Those who suffer from a lack of sleep are not only tired, but also less productive. It is not only the body that is impaired, but also the brain. Cognitive performance and the ability to concentrate are significantly reduced and at some point the brain temporarily switches to idle mode. The same thing can happen with multitasking. If you want to work on too many different tasks at the same time, you can overload your brain to such an extent that it needs a short break to recover and drifts into a state of mental emptiness. Boredom or a lack of stimulation can also lead to mind blanking, i.e. understimulation of the brain.
The phenomenon of mind blanking is widespread and completely normal. It is a completely natural reaction of the brain to one of the possible causes mentioned above and usually only occurs temporarily. As soon as the brain has recovered or attention is focussed on something, the blankness in the head disappears as quickly as it came.
- How does mind blanking occur?
Mind blanking is still a relatively new field of research. However, some interesting data has already been collected in studies. For example, it has been found that certain regions of the brain are less active during mind blanking. In particular, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for planning, decision-making and maintaining attention, appears to work less during these moments. This suggests that mind blanking is a state of reduced brain activity in which the brain temporarily loses conscious control. Furthermore, it was found that the measurable brain waves during mind blanking are similar to those that can be detected during sleep. The researchers conclude that there is not only the state of sleep or wakefulness in the brain, but that there can be overlaps. While parts of the brain are awake, other regions can show signs of sleep at the same time.
To what extent are sleep and mind blanking similar?
In addition to the above-mentioned results from studies, there are some other fundamental similarities between sleep and mind blanking. Both are phases characterised by reduced or altered cognitive activity. Conscious thought processing is greatly reduced in both mind blanking and sleep – especially in the non-REM phase. Both states are used for regeneration, ensure mental recovery and can therefore be seen as a kind of protective mechanism of the brain. However, there is also a striking difference: while sleep is a deeper, longer state with different phases that is essential for recovery and survival, mind blanking only lasts for a short time and is then over as quickly as it came.
Are daydreams and mind blanking comparable?
Here we can answer with a clear no. Daydreams and mind blanking have characteristic differences, although they appear to be similar at first glance. In daydreams, consciousness wanders away from the current environment into an inner world full of fantasy and imagination. The daydreamer is aware of this state and can often steer thoughts in a certain direction. The brain is particularly active during a daydream and generates a multitude of extremely creative and associative thoughts. Daydreams are often caused by boredom or routine tasks, i.e. when the brain is not stimulated enough.
Mind blanking, on the other hand, is a state of thoughtlessness in which those affected experience a break from cognitive activity. Although many are fully aware of this state, they have no control over it. Mental processes are virtually non-existent at this moment. Mind blanking is like a standstill of thought that occurs unexpectedly and unintentionally and is often a result of overwork, fatigue or stress. It can therefore be seen as a kind of protective mechanism of the brain against overstimulation.
Can mind blanking be prevented?
There are various strategies that can help to reduce the occurrence of mind blanking. When tasks and work become overwhelming, you should take regular breaks to recharge your mental batteries and relieve your brain. Stress management exercises such as yoga, meditation or breathing exercises can also have a calming and restorative effect. Multitasking and taking on many different tasks should be avoided wherever possible in order to prevent possible brain overload. It is much better to complete one task and only then start the next one. Boredom and monotony should be avoided. Our brain needs a certain amount of mental stimulation to stay active and this is best achieved through interesting and varied activities.
Last but not least, it is also beneficial to get enough and good sleep. A lack of sleep is one of the reasons for mind blanking. It is a simple but extremely effective method of giving the brain a rest and supporting mental performance. As bedding, we recommend the organic Swiss stone pine pillow ZIRBERELLA® Wool with a cosy filling of supple new wool and Swiss stone pine wood flakes from sustainable forestry, which ensures an optimal and natural sleeping climate. The easy-care COTTONELL® topper for example, which has a temperature and moisture-regulating effect and therefore ensures a pleasant, dry and cosy temperature. In addition, the topper is washable at up to 95 °C and is also suitable for allergy sufferers. The bamboo fibre duvet Bambusfill sommerleicht is cooling and moisture-regulating even at high temperatures and remains hygienically fresh for a long time. With this bedding, nothing stands in the way of a restful night’s sleep.
