wandering day meaning

Definition of 'wandering'

wandering in American English

Examples of 'wandering' in a sentence wandering, cobuild collocations wandering, trends of wandering.

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• wander the halls
• wander the streets
• wandering albatross
• wandering mind
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• wandering Jew
• wandering minstrel
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Definition of wanderings noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• His wanderings took him first to India.

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It’s normal for your mind to wander. Here’s how to maximise the benefits

Psychology researcher, Bond University

Associate Professor in Psychology, Bond University

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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Have you ever found yourself thinking about loved ones during a boring meeting? Or going over the plot of a movie you recently watched during a drive to the supermarket?

This is the cognitive phenomenon known as “ mind wandering ”. Research suggests it can account for up to 50% of our waking cognition (our mental processes when awake) in both western and non-western societies .

So what can help make this time productive and beneficial?

Mind wandering is not daydreaming

Mind wandering is often used interchangeably with daydreaming. They are both considered types of inattention but are not the same thing.

Mind wandering is related to a primary task, such as reading a book, listening to a lecture, or attending a meeting. The mind withdraws from that task and focuses on internally generated, unrelated thoughts.

On the other hand, daydreaming does not involve a primary, active task. For example, daydreaming would be thinking about an ex-partner while travelling on a bus and gazing out the window. Or lying in bed and thinking about what it might be like to go on a holiday overseas.

If you were driving the bus or making the bed and your thoughts diverted from the primary task, this would be classed as mind wandering.

The benefits of mind wandering

Mind wandering is believed to play an important role in generating new ideas , conclusions or insights (also known as “aha! moments”). This is because it can give your mind a break and free it up to think more creatively.

This type of creativity does not always have to be related to creative pursuits (such as writing a song or making an artwork). It could include a new way to approach a university or school assignment or a project at work. Another benefit of mind wandering is relief from boredom, providing the opportunity to mentally retreat from a monotonous task.

For example, someone who does not enjoy washing dishes could think about their upcoming weekend plans while doing the chore. In this instance, mind wandering assists in “passing the time” during an uninteresting task.

Mind wandering also tends to be future-oriented. This can provide an opportunity to reflect upon and plan future goals, big or small. For example, what steps do I need to take to get a job after graduation? Or, what am I going to make for dinner tomorrow?

Read more: Alpha, beta, theta: what are brain states and brain waves? And can we control them?

What are the risks?

Mind wandering is not always beneficial, however. It can mean you miss out on crucial information. For example, there could be disruptions in learning if a student engages in mind wandering during a lesson that covers exam details. Or an important building block for learning.

Some tasks also require a lot of concentration in order to be safe. If you’re thinking about a recent argument with a partner while driving, you run the risk of having an accident.

That being said, it can be more difficult for some people to control their mind wandering. For example, mind wandering is more prevalent in people with ADHD.

Read more: How your brain decides what to think

What can you do to maximise the benefits?

There are several things you can do to maximise the benefits of mind wandering.

• be aware : awareness of mind wandering allows you to take note of and make use of any productive thoughts. Alternatively, if it is not a good time to mind wander it can help bring your attention back to the task at hand

context matters : try to keep mind wandering to non-demanding tasks rather than demanding tasks. Otherwise, mind wandering could be unproductive or unsafe. For example, try think about that big presentation during a car wash rather than when driving to and from the car wash

content matters : if possible, try to keep the content positive. Research has found , keeping your thoughts more positive, specific and concrete (and less about “you”), is associated with better wellbeing. For example, thinking about tasks to meet upcoming work deadlines could be more productive than ruminating about how you felt stressed or failed to meet past deadlines.

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• Daydreaming
• Concentration
• Mind wandering

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Sundowning: late-day confusion, i've heard that sundowning may happen with dementia. what is sundowning and how is it treated.

The term "sundowning" refers to a state of confusion that occurs in the late afternoon and lasts into the night. Sundowning can cause various behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions. Sundowning also can lead to pacing or wandering.

Sundowning isn't a disease. It's a group of symptoms that occurs at a specific time of the day. These symptoms may affect people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. The exact cause of sundowning is not known.

Factors that may worsen late-day confusion

• Spending a day in a place that's not familiar.
• Low lighting.
• Increased shadows.
• Disruption of the body's "internal clock."
• Trouble separating reality from dreams.
• Being hungry or thirsty.
• Presence of an infection, such as a urinary tract infection.
• Being bored or in pain.
• Depression.

Tips for reducing sundowning

• Keep a predictable routine for bedtime, waking, meals and activities.
• Plan for activities and exposure to light during the day to support nighttime sleepiness.
• Limit daytime napping.
• Limit caffeine and sugar to morning hours.
• Turn on a night light to reduce agitation that occurs when surroundings are dark or not familiar.
• In the evening, try to reduce background noise and stimulating activities. This includes TV viewing, which can sometimes be upsetting.
• In a strange or not familiar setting, bring familiar items, such as photographs. They can create a more relaxed setting.
• In the evening, play familiar, gentle music or relaxing sounds of nature, such as the sound of waves.

Some research suggests that a low dose of melatonin may help ease sundowning. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that induces sleepiness. It can help when taken alone or in combination with exposure to bright light during the day.

It's possible that a medicine side effect, pain, depression or other condition could contribute to sundowning. Talk with a healthcare professional if you suspect that a condition might be making someone's sundowning worse. A urinary tract infection or sleep apnea could be contributing to sundowning, especially if it comes on quickly.

Jonathan Graff-Radford, M.D.

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• Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist?
• Todd WD. Potential pathways for circadian dysfunction and sundowning-related behavioral aggression in Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2020; doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.00910.
• Sleep issues and sundowning. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp. Accessed April 4, 2022.
• Managing personality and behavior changes in Alzheimer's. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/managing-personality-and-behavior-changes-alzheimers. Accessed April 4, 2022.
• Francis J. Delirium and confusional states: Prevention, treatment, and prognosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 4, 2022.
• Graff-Radford J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 7, 2022.
• Tips for coping with sundowning. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/tips-coping-sundowning. Accessed April 4, 2022.
• Reiter RJ, et al. Brain washing and neural health: Role of age, sleep and the cerebrospinal fluid melatonin rhythm. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 2023; doi:10.1007/s00018-023-04736-5.

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World Book Day 2024: origin, meaning and why it is celebrated on April 23

R eading books brings with it numerous benefits giving people the opportunity to explore new worlds and meet new people both real and imagined. It expands our knowledge and understanding of the world around us and those far away.

To celebrate the wonderment of books and those that make them come to life, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established 23 April as World Book and Copyright Day in 1995. However, it got its start long before that in Spain.

The meaning of World Book and Copyright Day

Fundamentally, it is a celebration of the enjoyment of books, reading and storytelling. World Book and Copyright Day is a recognition of power of books to cross space, time and generations, uniting cultures and linking the present with the future and the past.

Literature is a powerful and effective tool to transmit information and knowledge worldwide, promoting culture, education and science. The World Book and Copyright Day is a time for nations to share the message that books can help address challenges which societies around the world and as whole we currently face. Through understanding the economic and political realities that we’re presented with, it is possible to combat inequalities and misinformation.

READ ALSO: The colleges and universities that have set up a Gaza Solidarity Encampment

The origin of World Book and Copyright Day

Setting aside a day to celebrate books traces its beginnings to Spanish writer Vicente Clavel Andrés. In 1922 he proposed the idea as a way to honor fellow countryman author Miguel de Cervantes. Four years later the first celebration took place on 7 October, Cervantes’ birthday, but was moved to 23 April, the date of his death, in 1930.

In 1995, the UNESCO General Conference decided to pay homage to authors and books world-wide as a way of encouraging everyone to access books. Choosing 23 April seemed a logical choice, besides being the date of Cervante’s death, it also happens to be the date William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died, among other prominent authors. Additionally, several distinguished authors were born on 23 April making it a symbolic date in the world of literature.

READ ALSO: Which countries have the highest carbon footprint?

The UNESCO World Book Capital

Annually since 2001, one city around the world is chosen to be the UNESCO World Book Capital for a year. The selected city is tasked with carrying out activities over its year-long designation to encourage “a culture of reading and diffusing its values in all ages and population groups in and out of the national borders.”

The initiative was put forward by Spain in 2001, and Madrid was designated the first capital, followed by Alexandria and then New Delhi.

Following those designations cities are chosen each year by the Director-General of UNESCO in consultation with an advisory committee made up of representatives from international organizations representing authors, libraries and publishers.

What is a fake elector? The term of the day, explained

Americans commonly think the popular vote is what elects presidents. Win the vote in a certain number of states and you take over the Oval Office, right?

Well, there's a technicality: one of the processes built into the U.S. Constitution by the nation's founders. It's called the Electoral College.

Each state receives the same number of votes in the Electoral College as the number of representatives it has in Congress. Arizona has nine members of the House of Representatives and two U.S. senators. Hence, it has 11 electoral votes. The District of Columbia has three electors and treated like a state for purposes of the Electoral College, according to the National Archives and Records Administration. 

That adds up to 538 electoral votes, meaning a candidate has to pick up 270 to win.

Arizona indictments: Grand jury indicts fake electors who falsely certified Donald Trump as 2020 winner

Who selects the electors?

Each presidential candidate in Arizona has 11 electors on the ballot under the candidate's name. Political parties in the state select their slates of electors from among elected officials, state party leaders or other notable party members.

The winning candidate's electors are appointed as the electors in Arizona, and almost every other state, in a winner-take-all format. Nebraska and Maine have proportional distribution of the electors.

After an election is decided and the results are approved by the state, the slate of electors for the winning candidate gets to do its job. It certifies the election with a document sent to Congress and the National Archives.

In Arizona, then-Gov. Doug Ducey and other state officials certified the election in Arizona on Nov. 30, 2020. President-elect Joe Biden's 0.3 percentage-point margin was easily the closest presidential contest in state history. Then-Secretary of State Katie Hobbs signed the official election results, compiled from the final tallies of Arizona’s 15 counties, alongside Ducey, Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Chief Justice Robert Brutinel.

What did the electors' meetings look like in Arizona in 2020?

The meeting of the electors takes place on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December after the general election, according to the National Archives.

At noon on Dec. 14, 2020, Arizona's Democratic electors certified the election in Arizona was won by Biden. Their votes were recorded on what is called a Certificate of Vote.

But on the same day, a group of prominent Republicans, including the state party's former chair, Kelli Ward, and current state lawmakers Anthony Kern and Jake Hoffman  signed a document falsely declaring themselves Arizona's electors , in favor of Trump.

But Trump had lost Arizona. By state statute, the only electors who mattered were those pledged to cast their votes for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Who are Arizona's fake electors?

The Republican slate of electors are the men and women known in Arizona as the fake electors.

Similar actions were taken by Republicans in Michigan, Georgia and Nevada , also known as fake electors.

In what had been a largely ceremonial event in the 20th and 21st centuries, Congress accepts the certificates of vote from each state and certifies the overall winner in a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 in the year following the election.

On Jan. 6, 2021, that process was disrupted by a riot at the U.S. Capitol. Congress reconvened later that evening and certified the vote, which effectively transferred power to Biden from Trump on Jan. 20, 2021.

Cinco de Mayo events will soon keep some Iowans busy. But do you know what the day means?

Like St. Patrick’s Day bringing people to bars for Irish beers and corned beef and cabbage, Cinco de Mayo sees celebrators drinking tequila and eating tacos.

But the annual celebration doesn't exist for that purpose. So, what is it?

Here’s what to know ahead of the day.

When is Cinco de Mayo 2024?

Cinco de Mayo is on Sunday, May 5.

What does Cinco de Mayo mean in English?

The translation is the 5 th of May, or May 5.

What is the history of Cinco de Mayo?

Let’s start with what it isn’t.

It is not Mexico’s Independence Day, which is what some mistake it for. That holiday is on Sept. 16.

On May 5, 1862, Mexican troops defended the town of Puebla from France, according to the Library of Congress . The victory, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza who was outnumbered with 2,000 troops versus the French’s 6,000, was declared a national holiday by Mexico’s President Benito Juárez, the History Channel reported

French emperor Napoleon III sought to expand the French empire, according to the Getty Research Institute , and the town was later seized by the French, according to the Library of Congress. But by 1867, France finally withdrew from Mexico, according to the History Channel.

Cinco de Mayo is more popular in America than it is in Mexico though, gaining popularity during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, USA TODAY reported .

"It becomes a Chicano holiday, in many ways, linked to the Chicano movement, because we discover Mexicans resisting a foreign invader," UC Santa Barbara Chicanx historian Mario García told USA TODAY in 2022. "They link the struggle of the Chicano movement to Cinco de Mayo."

Jordan Mendoza and Maria Jimenez Moya contributed to this article.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at  [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

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Definition of wanderlust

Did you know.

Wanderlust Has German Roots

"For my part," writes Robert Louis Stevenson in Travels with a Donkey , "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." Sounds like a case of wanderlust if we ever heard one. Those with wanderlust don't necessarily need to go anywhere in particular; they just don't care to stay in one spot. The etymology of wanderlust is a very simple one that you can probably figure out yourself. Wanderlust is a lust for wandering. The word comes from German, in which wandern means "to hike or roam about," and Lust means "pleasure or delight."

Examples of wanderlust in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wanderlust.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

German, from wandern to wander + Lust desire, pleasure

1875, in the meaning defined above

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Dictionary Entries Near wanderlust

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“Wanderlust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wanderlust. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of wanderlust, more from merriam-webster on wanderlust.

Nglish: Translation of wanderlust for Spanish Speakers

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Barbers save young girl from wandering into busy intersection

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. ( WFSB /Gray News) - Two barbers helped save a young girl from wandering into the middle of an intersection.

The barbers said the child was just seconds from walking into traffic at an intersection in East Hartford, Connecticut.

“It was a quick reaction thing. We weren’t going to ask no questions. We weren’t going to see what was going on. We were just going to move and that was it,” Rafael Santana said.

Santana’s barber station sits right next to the window at Look Sharp Barbershop, and he thanks God for seeing what he saw on April 12.

Santana said around 11:00 a.m. that morning, he looked outside and noticed a young girl walking in the middle of the road.

“I looked back and I didn’t see anybody. I didn’t see anyone behind her,” Santana said.

Santana said his boss, Osvaldo Lugo, was out the door with him as soon as Santana told him what was happening.

“He didn’t ask no questions. He put his clipper down and just ran,” Santana said.

Osvaldo said there was no time to look to see what was going on.

“There’s no time to look. There’s no time to talk about it. This your time to do something about somebody else,” he said.

Osvaldo said he was glad they got to the girl when they did.

“Being able to get to her on time was a gratifying moment,” he said. “She didn’t know exactly what type of danger she was facing.”

Osvaldo also helped the girl find her mother who was at a bus stop down the road. He said it was an emotional reunion.

“The mom was shocked, embarrassed, and at the same time grateful,” he said.

Both men said they were grateful they saw and acted as quickly as they did, and know this story could have had a much different ending.

“It would’ve been sirens, police, ambulance, so thankfully we’re not talking about that situation right now,” Osvaldo said.

“We’re not talking about a tragedy. We’re talking about something good,” Rafael said.

Copyright 2024 WFSB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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When is Earth Day 2024? How the day raises awareness about climate change, our environment

Earth day started over 50 years ago, on april 22, 1970, and the celebrations are still going strong..

Earth Day is today. But what does the day even mean? Here's what you need to know about the annual commemoration and how to celebrate our planet while fighting climate change .

"For me, every day is Earth Day," Leila Yassine, Rainforest Alliance's global advocacy engagement manager, told USA TODAY. "But I think it's really important to have this Earth Day as a yearly wake-up call for everyone."

She goes on to say that the day itself brings attention to organizations that are working to bring attention to climate change and what folks can do to help the Earth recover.

Earth Day 2024: In honor of Earth Day, today's Google Doodle takes us on a trip around the world

When is Earth Day?

Earth Day falls on April 22 every year. This year, however, it falls on a Monday and shares the date with the start of the Jewish holiday, Passover.

The day has been celebrated for over 50 years, but isn't federally recognized, as previously reported by USA TODAY .

Why do we celebrate Earth Day?

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 when 20 million people went to inaugural events at schools, universities and other public areas around the country, according to the Library of Congress's website .

Senator Gaylord Nelson advocated for Earth Day and called on "students to fight for environmental causes and oppose environmental degradation with the same energy that they displayed in opposing the Vietnam War," states the library.

Then, the library adds, in July of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency was created after the public demanded cleaner water, air and land as more disasters caused by climate change and pollution impacted the country.

How can we celebrate Earth Day 2024?

Yassine said her favorite way to celebrate Earth Day is by taking a walk through nature.

"It just reminds us how the earth is beautiful and how nature is powerful," said Yassine. "So I think for me this is a way of celebrating Earth Day."

But, she adds that it isn't the only way to celebrate Earth Day, and there are simple things folks can do, too.

She said people can do something as small as going to the grocery store and buying sustainable produce.

Since Earth Day falls on a Monday, it can also be celebrated by participating in Meatless Monday. The movement, according to its website, was started in 2003 by Sid Lerner, with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. It aimed to reduce the amount of meat in one's diet to improve health and the health of the planet.

According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine , a more plant-based diet would not only improve environmental health, but human health too.

But, if that's not your cup of tea, there's always the option to go to a local park, beach clean-up or attend an Earth Day event in your area.

"Everyday actions count," said Yassine. "Fighting climate change doesn't always require that we have ground-breaking innovation or technology."

Folks can also research news regarding climate change and the work that needs to be done. But, Yassine says it's important to look at positive news regarding the situation, too.

Have a positive outlook on Earth Day 2024

According to Yassine, sharing positive news about the climate crisis and avoiding doom-scrolling on social media can encourage others to tackle the issue and keep folks optimistic about the future of the climate crisis.

No matter how one chooses to celebrate Earth Day or fight against climate change, Yassine said it's important to stay positive about the future.

"Share ideas and this will really cultivate collective optimism," she said. "It's like you have little seeds and then you're feeding it. You're feeding it until gives you this beautiful tree of hope."

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture.   You can follow her on  X, formerly known as Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok : @juliamariegz

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Meaning of wanderings in English

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• break-journey
• circumnavigation

Examples of wanderings

Translations of wanderings.

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relating to the scientific study of animals, especially their structure

Dead ringers and peas in pods (Talking about similarities, Part 2)

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