Why Being Tired Can Actually Help You Be More Creative

Have you ever found yourself struggling to solve a problem or to come up with new ideas when you’re feeling tired? You might be surprised to learn that fatigue could actually boost your creativity. Recent research has shown that people tend to be more creative when they’re sleepy, allowing them to think outside the box and find new solutions to problems.

The Study: Morning Person vs. Night Person

A study conducted by researchers Mareike Wieth and Rose Zacks examined the impact of time of day on problem-solving abilities. The study analyzed data from 428 undergraduate students and asked them to classify themselves as either a morning person or a night person. Afterward, the students took on analytic questions and problem-solving tasks, with the researchers monitoring their progress.

The results showed that those who identified as night owls were better at solving problems during the morning, while early birds performed better when solving problems at night. This suggests that people are more creative when their brain isn’t functioning as well, as they’re forced to think outside the box to come up with new solutions.

Why We’re More Creative When We’re Tired

When we’re tired, our brains struggle to filter out distractions and form connections between different concepts and thoughts. While this might seem like a bad thing, it’s actually beneficial for creative thinking. Creative thought requires us to think in new and different ways, challenging us to make new connections and explore new possibilities. Being tired can help us to knock down mental barriers and allow our minds to explore different solutions.

Tips for Leveraging Tiredness for Creativity

If you’re feeling tired and want to leverage your fatigue to boost your creativity, here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Make a list of problems: Write down any issues or problems that you want to address. Then take a break, do something else, and come back to your list when you’re feeling sleepy. You might be surprised to find that your mind is more open to new ideas and solutions.

2. Try different creative activities: Everyone is unique, so find the creative activities that work for you. Maybe it’s painting, building, writing, or brainstorming. Just don’t limit yourself to one activity. Try different things to find out what helps you to be most creative.

3. Embrace distractions: While distractions can be counterproductive when you’re trying to focus on a task, they can actually be helpful when you’re trying to be creative. Don’t shy away from outside distractions. Instead, embrace them and allow your mind to wander. This might help you to find new ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

4. Take a nap: If you’re struggling with creativity or problem-solving, take a nap. Just make sure to set an alarm so you don’t oversleep. A 20-30 minute power nap can help refresh your brain and allow you to approach problems with a clearer mind.

In conclusion, being tired can actually be an advantage when it comes to creativity and problem-solving. With the right mindset and approach, you can leverage your fatigue to think in new and different ways, unlocking new solutions and ideas that you might not have considered before. So, next time you’re feeling sleepy, don’t dismiss it as a hindrance. Instead, see it as an opportunity to think outside the box and embrace your inner creativity.