The capacity to think creatively is very crucial. Whether needed at the workplace, in a group, or even as individuals, developing innovative and unique ways to connect and create is often pivotal to our success and personal growth. Yet, so often, it isn’t easy to tap into our creativity when we need it most.
Constant exercise provides many benefits, but researchers from Leiden University in the Netherlands are now putting creativity on the list. An article from The Huffington Post reveals the following about the research:
“A recent survey in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reveals that regular exercisers perform better on creativity tests than their more inactive peers.”
‘Exercising regularly may therefore act as a cognitive booster fostering creativity in cheap and healthy ways,’ researcher Lorenza Colzato, a cognitive psychologist at Leiden University in the Netherlands, says.”
Since some of us may not have the time to wait around until an inspiration knocks, when next you feel like you’re stuck in a trench, undertake any of Lorenzo’s exercises to help loose your creativity from its dormant state—or better still, incorporate these exercises into your everyday routine to regularly flex your creative muscles.
- Meditate Often
Meditation is an effective method that helps to enhance creativity. Several studies have been done to measure people’s cognitive abilities who meditate and their capacity to solve problems differently. The research reveals that non-meditators had greater cognitive rigidity than those who meditate often. They also tended to offer complex or obsolete remedies to easy problems; this was not the situation for people who meditate regularly.
Practice spending time alone and reflect. Our best ideas come when we are not engrossed with the outside world.
- Learn to look at things from a new perspective
Edward de Bono, an author and professional in creativity and lateral thinking, said, “Creativity is all about shattering conventional patterns to see things distinctly,” which is the idea for this exercise. For instance, choose a relationship in your life that is challenging, it could be with a loved one, friend, or colleague, and try to see things from that person’s point of view. You do not have to acknowledge it as truth, but practising taking on that person’s perspective will exercise your brain and enable you to improve your ability to look at things in new and diverse ways.
- Try Video Games
Children are not the only ones who can enjoy video games. If you don’t have your system, you could ask them to teach you their favourites or try an online game. Puzzle games can sharpen your creativity, while role-playing games can make you feel like you are controlling your very own storybook.
- Exercise And Weary Yourself Out
It has been proven that our best inspirations tend to come when we are exhausted. This is because a tired brain is less concentrated, enabling it to see things differently. And one sure way to get quickly tired is by exercising. Which coincidentally is also beneficial for your brain since it allows us to come out of our heads and establish new thought patterns. So, the next time you feel stuck, take a walk or run. Just get tired.
- Write By Hand
In their book The Creativity Cure: How to Build Happiness With Your Own Two Hands, Carrie and Alton Barron wrote about how there is a profound satisfaction that follows creating something with your hand. They think that writing by hand can help transition you to a deeper place. If you do not know what to write, they suggest writing out your “psychological clutter”—the things that are troubling or pre-occupying you. Then dispose of it and move on.
“Creativity is not just for artists. It is for business people finding new ways to close a deal; it is for engineers trying to solve a problem; it is for parents who want their children to see the world differently,” says Twyla Tharp. These simple activities can keep your creative juice flowing.
Creativity is very important and can even make the dullest day far more exciting. There are so many ways to unleash this creativity and with these 5 tips in mind, there is no excuse to occasionally give yourself a break.
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