Problem Focusing?

doodles Give it up to those doodlers that teachers used to get on to for "not paying attention." Now there is proof that doodling actually focuses the mind. CNN recently reported on the findings of a British researcher as well as July/August 2009 Health magazine.

Apparently, Jackie Andrade of the University of Plymouth in England had 40 people listen to a mock two-and-a-half minute telephone message mentioning the names of eight people going to a party.

Half the participants were told to shade squares and circles printed on a piece of paper while listening to the tape and the other half were given no task. After the two-and-a-half minutes, the twenty that were told to doodle recalled 29% more of the conversation than those who had no task while listening.

Andrade explained there isn't a reason attached to the findings as of yet, but basically the study did reveal that when given a primary task, and it is dull, a person tends to daydream. By doodling, one's mind is given a secondary task instead of being free to daydream or wander. Therefore it is somewhat better focused than it would be in a daydreaming situation, therefore providing more brainpower for the primary task.