Reduced REM and N2 sleep, and lower dream intensity predict increased mind-wandering
Sleep November 16, 2023 Péter Simor, Bertalan Polner, Noémi Báthori et al. 9 citations
Mind-wandering, where attention shifts from the present to internal thoughts, is more likely after nights with less REM and N2 sleep and less intense dream experiences. Over 7 nights, 67 healthy participants wore mobile sleep EEG headbands and completed self-reports, yielding about 400 analyzable nights. Nights with more wakefulness and shorter REM and slow wave sleep were linked to poorer subjective sleep quality. Reduced REM and N2 sleep, along with less vivid dreams, predicted increased mind-wandering the following day. The findings highlight that night-to-day variations in specific sleep stages influence both perceived sleep quality and daytime mind-wandering intensity.