Ever wonder why that brilliant idea always comes right before you fall asleep or when you’re standing half awake in the shower? According to a recent study in the journal Thinking & Reasoning it’s because you’re more creative when you’re feeling groggy.
Photo by Nate Steiner.
In the study, researchers had students complete problem-solving tasks at various points in the day. The student’s biggest insights came during their least optimal time of functioning. As a recommendation, the researchers suggest students design their schedules so their creative classes are during these non-optimal points in the day. For many, this is first thing in the morning or during that post-lunch brain slump. For non-students, the same advice makes sense and you can plan your brainstorming time when you’re the most tired.
If those creative bursts come at strange times when you don’t have a pen and paper handy, consider solutions like, a waterproof notepad for the shower, an IKEA table that’s actually a giant notepad, or a memory trick to remember your creative thoughts before falling asleep.
You’re most creative when you’re at your groggiest [BPS Research Digest]
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