Ecstatic, enthusiastic, emotionally charged thought, although easily diffused, can be an extremely advantageous form of mental energy. It's more difficult to harness that kind of energetic concentration, but in the end one can work more expediently, as well as reliably, than otherwise possible - and develop/advance/progress in skill/ability far more quickly than otherwise, and retain the ability to utilize whatever is learned forever.
It is important to distract yourself with work and learning because when one is allowed to think about themselves and about their problems or their fears for too long these negative thoughts remain fresh in their mind. When outsourcing all their attention, focus, and mental energy into the task at hand, whatever it may be, we free ourselves from all our fears, doubts, and regrets.