Better Sleep = Enhanced Creative Abilities

[SpeedSleep]

How many times have you heard someone say “my best ideas occur in my sleep” or “I always come up with solutions to my problems after I sleep on them”? Clearly, there is a powerful connection between a good night’s sleep and creative abilities - and using sleep aids may actually suppress this kind of creativity by preventing the kind of deep natural sleep that is required for vivid dreams, as well as complete physical and mental rejuvenation.

Our minds are at their most flexible and creative when we relax and take the time to process the day’s events and de-stress. However, many individuals do not realize how valuable consistent rest and sleep are when it comes to both creativity and productivity. On the other hand, many writers and other creative types do recognize the value of sleep - for instance, Robert Louis Stevenson came up with the plot for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when he dreamt of a similar story, Jack Kerouac wrote an entire book based on his dreamscapes, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was the result of a dream she had while staying at Lord Byron’s villa.

Sleep and creativity are connected for artists and musicians as well. For instance, Paul McCartney was inspired by a dream to write the melody for Yesterday, and Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali credited many of his works to his unusual napping schedule.

Athletes have also found value in sleep (beyond simple rest and rejuvenation); for example, Jack Nicklaus says that he perfected his golf swing due to a dream he had. Last but perhaps most significantly, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev came up with his idea for the periodic table of elements upon waking up from a deep sleep after puzzling about the problem for some time - and his concept became a major element of modern chemistry.

Obviously, consistent high quality sleep promotes inspiration and facilitates insight - in fact, it could be argued that people who are sleep deprived are also depriving themselves of their full creative potential.

[Scarab]

This couldn't be more true, SpeedSleep. For this reason, I do my best and most creative work and planning early first thing in the morning. A good night's sleep + an AM run has been my magic formula. Thanks for this posting.