Boosting your creativity is a great way to improve your work. It’s also an excellent way to get a fresh perspective on problems you face in your everyday life. Here are some tips for boosting your creativity, and a few ideas for how to make the most of it.
Exercise
Whether it’s a walk around the block or an intense workout, exercise can boost creativity. Studies show that people who exercise do better on tests of creative thinking. Some studies have even found that exercise can help to overcome creative slumps. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and improve memory.
Researchers at Stanford University examined the effects of exercise on creativity. They conducted four experiments with 176 college students and adults. They found that regular exercise improves both convergent and divergent thinking. However, the study doesn’t definitively prove that activity causes creativity.
Exercise also boosts neurogenesis, the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus. This helps to preserve the brain’s health as you age.
Reading
Whether you’re reading a book or an online article, reading can improve your creativity. It boosts your imagination, enhances your focus, and expands your vocabulary.
Reading can also improve your memory and cognitive flexibility. It allows you to adapt your learning to your environment, which will increase your ability to make better decisions. Reading also helps improve your comprehension and listening skills. Oftentimes, reading improves your comprehension of tests and exams.
Reading can also help boost your creativity, because it opens up your mind to new possibilities. Reading can stimulate your imagination, and it can help you to learn from others’ experiences. Using your imagination can also help you develop empathy. This will help you to understand other people’s feelings and beliefs.
Relaxing
Getting a decent night’s sleep is important, but it doesn’t hurt to have some sort of relaxation routine to look forward to. The best part is that it’s free and easy to do. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish with a little TLC and a few tricks up your sleeve.
For example, did you know that the most effective way to relax is to not worry about it? If you’re stressed out, you may not be able to finish a single task, let alone a whole list of tasks. This is the most effective way to boost your creativity quotient. Plus, if you’re stressed out, you are less likely to use your brain, and the more creative you are, the more creative your work will be.
Avoiding bringing your phone to bed or to the bathroom
Bringing your cell phone to bed is not the best way to get a good night’s sleep. Having a smartphone in bed can be a distraction, so try to avoid it altogether. It can also make your bedroom feel claustrophobic and unwelcoming. Thankfully, there are ways to make your bedroom feel like a home away from home.
There are plenty of ways to do this, but one of the best ways is to simply ignore your phone. It is also a good idea to keep your phone in another room, preferably somewhere away from your bedroom. The best part of this strategy is that you won’t have to worry about checking your phone all night.
Taking a break from the world
Taking a break from the world boosts creativity, and it helps you to come up with more ideas. It can also boost your energy, prevent burnout, and enable you to make healthier lifestyle choices. It can also give you new perspectives on your work.
A recent study conducted by Stanford researchers found that walking breaks are associated with higher levels of creativity. While researchers aren’t sure why, it may be because walking breaks enable your mind to break free from rigid thinking.
While the study focused on walking breaks, the researchers suggest you use any break to boost your creativity. Short breaks of 10 minutes or less can be effective, while longer breaks can fill up your inspiration reserves and reinvigorate your creativity.
