When was the last time you gave yourself the mental space to just think?
For many of us our days are filled with nonstop tasks. When we’re not working we scroll social media, listen to podcasts while we exercise or binge watch the latest Netflix series. We leave no time for reflection.
The most creative minds understood the need to step back. Einstein played the violin and went sailing. Van Gogh read Shakespeare and Beethoven took walks in the woods.
But it’s not just relaxing your brain that improves creativity, it’s the ability to relax the part that’s responsible for logic. This frees up the other part of your brain to daydream, problem solve and do big-picture thinking and that’s when you begin to imagine what could be.
Things that stimulate your imagination and emotions like music, movies or reading are a good way to engage your unconscious mind but remember to leave time for your mind to wander.
Legendary ad man, James Webb Young said, " ideas come to us when we are relaxed and unguarded - in the bed, the bath, or on the bus." [check this quote]. He highlights "bed, bath, and bus" as examples of places where creative ideas often come to us.
These are moments of relaxation when we can disengage from focused thought and allow our subconscious mind to work on problems in the background.
Simplify: Here are a few ways to create more room to think:
Spend time alone: listen to music, watch a movie or read something inspiring, but make sure to leave room for your mind to wander
Add reflective downtime to your day: create "bed, bath and bus" moments when you're relaxed and disengaged (that extra 30 minutes in bed could be your most productive time of the day)
Do something simple: take a walk, tidy up or enjoy a quiet moment in nature without headphones to let your mind process ideas.