Researchers studied the relationship between doing nothing and creativity.
The results are interesting...
The results are interesting...
Researchers used a positron emission tomography (PET) scan to conduct the first neuroimaging study of brain activity when in a "resting state" (when the brain is at "wakeful rest"—free of inputs/free to wander).
In essence, what is the brain doing when you are doing nothing?
In essence, what is the brain doing when you are doing nothing?
When you are doing absolutely nothing:
"We found activations in multiple regions of the association cortex," the researchers write. "We were not [seeing] a passive silent brain during the ‘resting state,’ but rather a brain that was actively connecting thoughts and experiences.”
"We found activations in multiple regions of the association cortex," the researchers write. "We were not [seeing] a passive silent brain during the ‘resting state,’ but rather a brain that was actively connecting thoughts and experiences.”
Essentially, the researchers demonstrated that the brain defaults to creativity.
When you are doing absolutely nothing, the brain engages in what the researchers termed "random episodic silent thought" or REST.
And during REST, the brain "uses its most human & complex parts."
When you are doing absolutely nothing, the brain engages in what the researchers termed "random episodic silent thought" or REST.
And during REST, the brain "uses its most human & complex parts."
Takeaway 1: Doing nothing promotes creativity.
Neil Gaiman, Raymond Chandler, Dr. Suess, George Lucas, and many other writers all have/had a similar habit.
They gave themselves two options:
a) You don’t have to write.
b) You can’t do anything else.
Gaiman explains:
Neil Gaiman, Raymond Chandler, Dr. Suess, George Lucas, and many other writers all have/had a similar habit.
They gave themselves two options:
a) You don’t have to write.
b) You can’t do anything else.
Gaiman explains:
Takeaway 2: REST
Resting “allows the association cortices of the brain to converse in a free & uncensored manner.”
This is why ideas come to us in the shower, on walks, and when daydreaming.
A favorite example of this: @Lin_Manuel had the idea for “Hamilton” on vacation:
Resting “allows the association cortices of the brain to converse in a free & uncensored manner.”
This is why ideas come to us in the shower, on walks, and when daydreaming.
A favorite example of this: @Lin_Manuel had the idea for “Hamilton” on vacation:
“If a plant only gets sunlight, it’s very harmful. It needs darkness too…In the darkness, it converts oxygen into carbon dioxide. We are like that too. We need periods of doing & periods of non-doing.” — Robert Pirsig
Follow me @bpoppenheimer for more content like this!
Follow me @bpoppenheimer for more content like this!
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