19 Scientifically Proven Ways To Boost Your Creativity

Despite being the most necessary organ inthe body, scientists continually find themselves astounded by new and excitingfacts about the brain's intriguing, mysterious complexities. Creativity inparticular oftentimes piques their curiosity because it both keeps humanitymoving forward and stands as notoriously difficult to fully define. Althoughmuch of its realities remain shrouded, researchers do know of a few provenstrategies for nursing it. When inspiration stalls,try applying some of these methods and see which one works best.

1.     "Psychologicaldistance"

When puzzling over a creative quandary, take a step back andcreate some physical and psychological space. Indiana University at Bloomingtonstudents in Greece and their own state alike contributed to Lile Jia, Edward R.Hirt, and Samuel C. Karpen's study, which revealed that absence makes the headand heart grow more innovative. The more distance, the more the brain processesa problem in the abstract – a necessary component of creative thinking.

2.     Embrace themetaphors

Funny enough, "putting two and two together" and"thinking outside the box" completely work on a not-at-all-figurativelevel. An article in PsychologicalScience explored thisphenomenon and discovered that acting out the metaphors in real life bolsteredcreativity, though it didn't improve overall performance. Do keep in mind,though, that researchers took measures using the standardized RAT.

3.     Attain REMsleep

Dream a little dream if those creative sparks need more thanjust a bit of flint to get going, because hitting a REM state remains one ofthe best things anyone can do for their projects. One doesn't need science tosee this trope in action, however, as notable names like Salvador Dali, MaryShelley, and Michael Stipe all cited their unconscious nocturnal adventures asthe starting point for some of their most popular works. Several University ofCalifornia researchers went ahead and looked for the psychology and biologybehind it anyway, and found that dreaming nurtures new information synthesesthat don't occur in waking life.

4.     Channelingthat inner Hulk

Multiple studies by University of Amsterdam and University ofGronigen noted that a little bit of anger promotes innovative thinking, but itcomes with a temporal price tag. Negative emotions allowed to simmer prove lessconducive to pumping out excellent projects than their fresher predecessors. Somake sure to (peacefully!) lay that rage out quickly before the creativecomponent starts dissolving; it'll definitely prove more cathartic.

5.     Moderatealcohol consumption

Psychosomatically, anyways, according to an Addictive Behavior article on the frequently disputedlink between alcohol and creative output. In actuality, performance improvedlittle, if at all, in the test groups given a tipple – though they rankedthemselves higher in terms of perceived performance. While the controversycontinues splitting scientists, avoiding blackout drunkenness will certainlykeep a brain healthy for everything that comes its way.

6.     Listen tomusic

Scientific and engineering unfortunately receive little creditas truly creative pursuits, but they certainly are – and they just happen tobenefit from the same stimuli as their painterly peers. Next time a theorem orAUTOCAD assignment starts drying up the well, as it were, take the advice ofGeorgia Tech's Parag Chordia and indulge in something a little melodic. Futurestudies will delve into what specific musical styles impact the mind in whatspecific way, if any.

7.     Blue, da badi da ba dai

Come to find out, blue achieves far more than just calming downanxious patients at the dentist's office. Tobias Funke was really ontosomething when he painted his entire body the venerable color, because come tofind out it can actually bolster one's creative spirit! Red also benefitscognitive function as well, though it improves the ability to process details –a necessary component of innovation.

8.     Intentionalculture shock

Blend "thinking outside the box" with"psychological" distance and dive headfirst (with proper research andresources, of course!) into one highly valuable strategy for nurturing creativethought. In theirPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin paper, Hajo Adam, Adam Galinsky, andWilliam Maddux extol the potential of spending a stint abroad. Even the tiniestof cultural differences piques the ol' grey mass and challenges it to considerthe world in bright new ways.

9.     Interactingwith technology

Most technological interfaces with a high degree ofinteractivity, such as those intended for design and art, engage the brain inways traditional media never could. In addition to this additional stimulation,the University of Gothenburg study also believed the faster, easier programsalso cut down prep time, meaning more energy pours into the actual creationprocess. Not to mention quicker edits and brand new techniques otherwiseimpossible with the standard pens, pencils, and paints.

10. Extended orflexible deadlines

Harvard's Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business AdministrationTeresa Amabile knows many people claim to create best when suffering beneathlooming deadlines, but her research shows otherwise. For more than a decade,she's studied interplay between creativity and time pressure and discovered thelatter typically (though not always) holds negative sway over the former.Creativity thrives more in environments where deadlines wrap around minds, notthe other way around.

11. Avoidbrainstorming

And, if brainstorming is necessary, try to do it solo instead ofin a group, as the latter tends to accomplish the exact opposite of the trueintent. When multiple people participate, the dynamic usually begins obsessingover one particular idea, which discourages others from contributing to theirfullest potential. These findings come courtesy of a collaboration betweenTexas A&M and University of Texas at Arlington researchers.

12. Rewards…kindof

Children do exhibit heightened creativity when presented with areward for their efforts, but only if the association between task and receipthas already been pre-established. Interestingly enough, studies conflict overwhether or not the findings extend into adulthood, as many believe a job welldone elicits far more satisfaction than any award or honor. When it comes tothe kiddies, though, consider training them with this tactic to challenge theirgrowing minds.

13. Multilingualism

Traveling gets expensive, and for the cash-strapped hoping toscore a little perspective without forking over the dough should attemptlearning a brand new language. A study conducted by the European Commissionrevealed that multilingual individuals enjoyed heightened creativity andinnovations thanks to overall improved cognitive and problem-solving skills. Soinvesting in those Rosetta Stone programs might very well bolster one's ownall-around mental performance.

14. Exercise

Aerobic workouts are some of the simplest strategies for makingthe brain a very happy organ indeed. Not only will they generally lead to amore satisfied, positive mood, but it can lead to greater creativity in kind.Rather than pausing for naptime and struggling to sleep when sleep just won'tcome, try 15 minutes of heart-healthy exercise instead.

15. Transcendentalmeditation

Transcendental meditation works for the spiritually-inclined,skeptics, and nonbelievers alike – no dogma necessary. Cornell researcherspublished a curious article showcasing how practitioners, over the span of fivemonths, watched a marked improvement in their creative skills. However, thisdid not apply to verbal acumen, though they were more mentally flexible andfigurative.

16. Play videogames

In a finding sure to anti-delight video game detractors, theubiquitous pastime does benefit players beyond heightened eye-hand coordinationskills. Much like other interactive technologies, they encourage innovativethinking and problem solving through puzzles and other challenges. The mostcreative individuals also ended up the most negative (which shouldn't be asurprise considering the anger link) and more lethargic.

17. Sarcasm

Similar to anger, sarcasm and its ilk also influence devoteesand their peers to start approaching tasks with a broader imagination andinnovation. Interestingly enough, though, while feeling anger bolsters thebrain, witnessing it held the exact opposite effect. These findings comecourtesy of Ella Miron-Spektor's team, who published them in Journal of Applied Psychology.

18. Exposure toabsurdity

Pick up absurdist – or at least whimsical – literature duringcreative dry periods for a generous dose of inspiration. A collaboration betweenUniversity of California, Santa Barbara's Travis Proulx and University ofBritish Columbia's Steven J. Heine exposed participants to Franz Kafka's shortstories, discovering that the writer's techniques promoted pattern recognitionand novel thinking. Both of these abilities prove necessary when whipping upthe most creative projects possible; plus, Kafka also happens to totally rule,so everyone wins.

19. Play

Kids and adults alike benefit from playtime, giving parents,guardians, and teachers a perfect strategy for kick starting their own stalledpursuits. Enjoyable recreation relaxes as well as stimulates, easing the mindinto a project instead of falling headfirst. Besides, pretty much everyoneloves getting out and having fun, unlike some of the other suggestions here.

Contacts and sources:
Larry Dignan 
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