FOUR times a day, workers take unofficial time off to indulge in a day dream.
A Travelodge survey is very explicit. These occur at 10 47am, 1.36pm, 3.07pm and 4.16pm and they last, on average, four minutes and 20 seconds.
Which, over a year, adds up to almost a full working week.
Yes, I know the times are a load of tosh, but I’m a daydream believer (The Monkees, 1967). Wait, there’s more like that.
More than 80% of us do it daily and among popular daydreams are being the boss, going on holiday, making love and winning the Lottery.
Fantasy figures people like to imagine themselves as range from David Beckham to Pippa Middleton.
With my luck, I’d have a day dream about them both and discover I was covered in tattoos, could play football like a girl and had a very nice bottom.
Whoops. Better be careful. That sort of comment could attract the Dream Police (Cheap Trick, 1979).
I win the Lottery every week: all I have to do is dream (Everly Brothers, 1962). Yes, I’ve got dreams to remember (Otis Redding, 1992) but many not suitable for a family newspaper.
I’ve been California dreaming (Mamas and Papas, 1965), usually when it’s raining and I fancy a bit of sunshine.
You can indulge your wildest dreams (Moody Blues, 1986) because in dreams (Roy Orbison, 1963) you can get away with anything.
They can’t touch you for it, as Morecambe and Wise used to say.
Many’s the time I’ve won the European Cup for United and the Euromillions Lottery, both on the same day, and been asked for a date by the three sisters in The Corrs.
Sweet dreams are made of this (Eurythmics, 1983).
Psychologist Corinne Sweet said: “Daydreaming provides a vital mental holiday for those at work and under stress or duress; it can also play a valuable role in lifting mood, changing neuronal pathways and creating a feel good factor.”
So the next time the boss accuses you of day dreaming, tell him it’s actually a vital mental holiday in the Bahamas.
Of course, he might just decide to join you.
