Would you believe that being idle could make you more interesting? A recent study suggests that mental clutter stifles creativity while unburdening your mind encourages originality.
Researchers at an Israeli university looked at what happens when your mind is occupied with stray thoughts and nagging concerns. Subjects who were tasked with remembering 7 digits responded slowly, and gave boring conventional answers on a free association test. On the other hand, subjects assigned only 2 digits were quick to come up with innovative replies. Learn how to liberate yourself from mental overload. Explore these tips for meditation and other intuitive experiences. Reducing Mental Load Through Meditation 1. Face yourself. Some unconscious thoughts can be disturbing. Remember that bringing them to the surface is the first step in healing. Once you spot your baggage, you can develop more constructive habits. 2. Scan your body. Your body is an excellent guide to how to find your flow. Notice what conditions help you to lower your shoulders and unclench your jaw. 3. Focus on your breath. Simple breath work helps beginners and advanced practitioners to become more mindful. Notice the air as it enters your nostrils and travels through your body. Spend as much time exhaling as inhaling. 4. Develop clarity. Picture your mind as a pool of water. As the ripples settle, you can see under the surface. What’s going on when you put aside housework and utility bills? Connect with your aspirations and dreams. 5. Count your blessings. Engage with the present moment by noticing what you’re grateful for. Celebrate the taste of morning coffee and the sound of your children laughing. 6. Practice daily. Work your way up gradually and consistently. Even a few minutes of stillness can be beneficial. Reducing Mental Load Through Other Activities 1. Write things down. Put your to do list onto paper so you can forget about it without worrying that you’ll miss your next dental appointment. Electronic versions are also fine if that’s more convenient. 2. Play games. Do you lose track of time when you’re planning your next move in Words with Friends? Taking a break from work can help you to return more refreshed. 3. Move around. Clear your mind with an afternoon run or visit to the gym. Physical exercise also burns calories and releases stress. 4. Use your hands. Repetitive movements can trigger breakthrough ideas as you tap into your unconscious. Knit a scarf or play piano. Chop vegetables for dinner or paint an accent wall in your bedroom. 5. Slow down. If running too many programs at a time makes your computer less 2 effective, think what excess multitasking does to your brain. Try to immerse yourself in a single task while you remember your purpose. 6. Appreciate nature. Nature is a powerful antidote to cognitive overload. Spend a moment enjoying bird songs and cool breezes. 7. Take a nap. If you can fall asleep easily during the day without disrupting the quality of your nightly slumbers, napping could be for you. Studies show that a brief sleep enhances memory formation. According to some research, people who nap also tend to live longer. 8. Turn off your phone. Some distractions are beyond your control, but you can opt out of being available around the clock for non-emergencies. Disconnect your devices for an hour each day. Give yourself quiet time to stimulate your creativity and think on a deeper level. If pushing yourself to succeed is tiring you out, try thinking less. Allow your mind to become clear so your creativity and productivity can soar.
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There are times when we all want to be more creative. We wish that there were something we could do to express ourselves and create something beautiful at the same time. If you're looking for ways to discover your creative side and release the artist within, here are a few simple activities that you can do to get the creative energy flowing. Express Yourself What type of personality do you have? Are you able to express that personality freely at work or with friends? If not, tackle one of these projects and let your personality shine! • Decorate your house, or at least one room, the way you like it. It doesn't matter what anyone else tells you, just decorate your room, your way. This will help you unleash your own self-expression. • Dress the way you want. If tackling the house is too big of a job, then take a look at your wardrobe. Dress how you want to dress. Trust yourself and trust your instincts. You are dressing for you, not the world. Don't worry; you can express yourself while still being professional at work. You have to find ways in everything you do to allow creativity to flow through you. This can be as simple as the way you sign a letter, mail an envelope, the way you dress or the house that you live in. Change Your Routine If you're stuck in a rut, do things that take you out of your normal routine. It doesn't really matter how stimulating your work or home life is, when you take a moment to step out of your normal routine for some me time, you'll be open to new ideas and new thoughts. How can you step out of your normal routine? 1. Read a book that you wouldn't usually pick up 2. Watch a movie that you wouldn't typically choose 3. Talk to a total stranger that you think looks interesting 4. Go shopping at a store that you have never been to. You don't necessarily have to buy anything, just go in and look around. 5. Meet a friend you haven't seen for a long time. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings Another simple activity to increase your creativity is to pay attention to your surroundings. You may laugh and think that is absolutely ridiculous after all, you see the same things and people everyday, and you probably even drive the same route to and from work, too. But try to take a few moments and actually pay attention to your surroundings. See things the way they are and not the way you think they are. • Take a different route home from work. Discover shortcuts or new neighborhoods. • Sit on a park bench and people watch. Think of stories for each person or couple that you see. • Have you ever really paid attention to the people in your office? What about the person that sits right across from you? Take five or ten minutes and take notice. Don't stare, but pay attention. You just may find that other people can be quite the source of inspiration for creativity. Use Your Imagination If you have a favorite poem or story that you loved as a kid, sit down and start writing that story, but make the changes that you always thought should be there. What were Jack and Jill really doing on their way up the hill? If they were fetching a pail of water, what was the water for? You don't have to re-invent the wheel, simply make the everyday your own. Increasing your creativity starts in small, simple ways. Your life is filled with opportunities for you to test your creative energies but it's up to you to take action! Who wouldn’t like to be more creative? You might think you have no creativity at all, but that’s untrue. You’re incredibly creative! You created the life you have, even if it was unintentional. Being creative in a more intentional manner is something that most would find beneficial.
Learn these strategies to release and enhance your creativity: 1. Try new things. Our thoughts and decisions are largely based on our experiences. Start trying new things. For example, if you go skydiving or take a nude painting class for the first time, you’re bound to have a new perspective on the world. 2. Look to your past. When have you had your best ideas? John Denver stated that he wrote his best songs after performing a stimulating outdoor activity, such as downhill skiing or flying his airplane. It’s common to experience high levels of creativity when the mind is partially engaged, but still free to roam. Situations like mowing the grass or taking a shower would meet the criteria. 3. Embrace austerity. Life can be way too chaotic. Go camping with nothing but a tent, sleeping bag, and bottle of water. Leave the distractions at home! Focus on finding solutions as you fall asleep. Put your subconscious to work for the eight hours you spend sleeping each night. 4. Change the location. Have you ever noticed that you think the same thoughts in a given location? You think one way at home. At work, your thought processes are different. If you need to be more creative, try someplace different. Spend the afternoon walking in the woods or sitting at the bookstore. -A change of scenery can allow you to think new, creative thoughts! 5. Choose your moments. While it’s unwise to sit back and wait for inspiration to hit, it’s possible to apply your creative talents during more appropriate circumstances. If you’re sick and grumpy, it’s probably a bad time to brainstorm. But you won’t know unless you try -Take advantage of the periods of time when your mind is clear and alert. 6. Exercise. Many believe that movement and creativity are closely linked. Going for a run or playing a round of golf can help get the creative juices flowing. If you need a brilliant solution, try moving your body more. 7. Stay up late. Removed from the stimulation and clutter of the day, it’s possible you’ll be more creative in the late hours of the evening. Another possibility is getting up an hour earlier and spending some time in the peace and quiet. 8. Listen to music. Einstein claimed listening to Mozart enhanced his creativity. Consider how different types of music impact your thoughts and emotions. Experiment. 9. Meditate or get a massage. Anything that relaxes your mind can be beneficial to your creativity. Perhaps you’re only a nap away from an earth-shattering idea. 10. Practice visualization. Visualize yourself in unique circumstance, but focus on more than the visual aspects. Hear, see, feel, and smell the situation, too. Stretching your brain and using it in new ways can enhance your creativity. There are many ways to double your creativity. It’s largely a matter of trial and error to see which methods work for you. Whether you want to write the perfect song or solve a problem at work, having a higher level of creativity can only help. |
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