Creativity brings colour to life—yet we hold the belief that one is born creative and this skill cannot be learned. However, psychologists tell us today that creativity is not something people are born with and in fact, it can be learned. So how do we throw our brains a curveball and get the creative juices flowing? Read on to find out.
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1- Get creative while exercising:
It turns out that exercising get the creative wheels running. Exercise improves cognitive thinking, especially when one feels that they have run into a block. According to research, moderate exercise is linked to more creative thinking and training the brain for the better. Thirty minutes or so every day can, therefore, make you better at your creative task than you thought.
2- Paint, doodle, and draw:
Even if your drawings look like garbled nonsense, don’t stop doodling and drawing. The act of engaging in this type of drawing creates new circuits in the brain and makes the brain more creative.
Doodle whatever and wherever you want, on the subway, in the office, while taking a call, there is no limitation. In fact some of the best ideas flow when one is doodling with no creative goal in sight.
3- Take a creative course:
If you are someone who needs a proper training session to learn a new skill, then feel free to join a creative course; you would be surprised at how much stepping out of your comfort zone can achieve.
Take a course of whatever strikes your fancy—creative writing, art and design, water coloring—just let your mind embrace the new skill. You will likely uncover some of your hidden talents and feel great at being surrounded by similar people with creative skills.
4- Travel to places:
Stimulate your brain with new ideas, culture, sights and sound. Travel to increase your exposure and introduce new ideas to your brain. It will keep your focus sharp and increase your cognitive flexibility. According to Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School, the ability of the brain to make deep connections between disparate forms is increased with travelling.
5- Daydream:
When you daydream, you let your brain have no barriers. Matthew Killingsworth, PhD, states that daydreaming gives the mind to learn and reason, as it is unrestrained. The beauty of daydreaming is that it allows your mind to roam freely anywhere when you cannot change the physical reality around you. Similarly, it allows the brain to get creative and think outside the realm of “possible”.
Get frequent breaks:
When you hit a creative block, there is nothing that works better than a break. Taking breaks allows your mind to think without getting stuck. Some of the best ideas often come when you are performing random tasks like showering or gardening, and not actively pursuing ideas. Infact, it is important to give the brain some ‘incubation time’ to recover after actively working on something for a dedicated time.
If you need further help to channel your inner creative artist, then feel free to consult a psychologist. Book an appointment with top psychologist in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your mental health concerns.
