It's called default mode thinking. Or the default mode network [1].
And I agree, not letting your mind do this from time to time results in higher stress and less ability to focus.
loading story #47933008
"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." -Blaise Pascal
loading story #47932587
And mostly reduced creativity.
I'm addicted to reading, I take my kindle and phone everywhere, so will grab them when I'm walking, taking a shower, waiting in line, going to the restroom... Between my kindle and my phone, I read a lot more books than I ever did but I don't digest the information as much as I used to. I also don't make as much associations between what I read and things going on in my own life. So, in a way, despite reading a lot more, I don't think I benefit as much from it.
Now, I'm purposefully forcing myself not to reach to my kindle when taking a walk so that my mind can wander as much as I do.
loading story #47931821