12 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Creativity
Creativity isn’t just for artists. These research-backed strategies can help anyone boost their innovative thinking.
- Chris Graciano
- 2 min read
In daily life, creativity is vital. Whether you’re working on a passion project, solving problems, or generating ideas. Simple changes can enhance creative thinking. These are 12 tried-and-true techniques to increase your creativity.
1. Take a Walk
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Studies show that walking, especially outdoors, stimulates creative thinking. Movement increases blood flow to the brain, which enhances problem-solving skills.
2. Change Your Scenery
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A new environment can shift your perspective and boost inspiration. Research suggests that working in different settings, like coffee shops or parks, enhances creativity.
3. Embrace Daydreaming
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Letting your mind wander isn’t wasted time; it’s a creativity booster. Studies indicate that daydreaming activates brain regions linked to complex problem-solving.
4. Get Enough Sleep
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Sleep plays a vital role in cognitive function and creative thinking. Research shows that REM sleep enhances problem-solving and idea generation.
5. Work During Your “Creative Peak”
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Not everyone is equally creative at all times of the day. Research suggests that some people think more divergently in the morning, while others thrive at night.
6. Try Freewriting
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Writing without self-editing can unleash unexpected ideas. This technique, often used by writers and creators, encourages the brain to explore without restriction.
7. Expose Yourself to Different Perspectives
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Creativity thrives on diverse influences. Reading books outside your usual interests, engaging with different cultures, or learning new skills broadens your thinking.
8. Use the “Two-Minute Rule”
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If inspiration feels blocked, start with just two minutes of effort. This strategy tricks the brain into action by removing pressure.
9. Incorporate Play into Your Routine
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Playfulness isn’t just for kids; it enhances adult creativity, too. Engaging in games, doodling, or even improvisation exercises stimulates unconventional thinking.
10. Take Strategic Breaks
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Pushing through creative blocks often backfires. Studies reveal that stepping away from a task allows the subconscious mind to keep working on it.
11. Challenge Your Own Assumptions
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Creativity often requires questioning the status quo. Research suggests that deliberately thinking of the opposite of an expected idea can trigger innovation.
12. Surround Yourself with Creative People
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Creativity is contagious. Studies show that working with imaginative individuals enhances one’s ability to think creatively.