Creative Downtime

Trying to cultivate an insight through lengthy conscious attention to a problem can inadvertently stifle creative breakthrough. Forceful thinking may inhibit true creative insights by increasing tension.

EEG measurements of brain waves during creative moments show high gamma activity brain spikes immediately prior to the “Aha!” moment. This gamma activity indicates the binding together of neurons in a new neural network – as when a new association emerges.

Immediately post the gamma spike, the new idea enters our consciousness.

This is in no way meant to infer a causal relationship, however creative practitioners often report their best creative times to be between moments of intense concentration of the problem at hand followed by periods of relaxation, of letting go.

It would appear that this stage of relaxation, characterised by high alpha brain waves, is a state of openness where we are more receptive to new ideas. This sets the stage for new connections that occur during the gamma spike.

So, by following a structured approach of defining the problem at hand, then immersing yourself in it, then letting go and relaxing, you can set the mental stage for heightened creative thinking and spontaneous insights.