Many of history’s best thinkers espoused the notion that their best ideas came to them when they were in their most relaxed states when they arrived at their most potent and innovative concepts.
For years, scientists have theorized that many ideas are born from the brain’s release of dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical that the human brain makes that generates pleasure and satisfaction. This chemical reaction is the opposite of what occurs when humans are put in tense or high-stress scenarios. Millions of years ago, humans’ fight or flight response was used to protect against wild animal attacks, and to keep the senses sharp in a world with far less certainty or safety. The release of dopamine signifies that the brain is in a relaxed state, that is not currently in a state of stress or imminent danger.
Many of the world’s most famous and beloved pieces of art were created in a dream state. Famously, Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles came up with the foundations of such beloved songs as “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” and “Yellow Submarine,” while sleeping or in a near sleep trance.
It has been said that surrealist icon, Salvador Dali, would sit at a table, with a metal spoon in his hand, positioned above a dish. He would relax and allow himself to become sleepy and to doze off. When he fell asleep and his hand muscles became uncontracted, the spoon would fall onto the dish and make a metallic clunking sound that would immediately startle back to full consciousness. Then, Dali would immediately note and record what his brain had wandered to while it was relaxing into the near dream state. This would allow him to essentially “trap” the unusual and innovative thoughts that his brain had generated. He could then use these new concepts in his art.
We know that the release of dopamine to the brain can facilitate new and previously unacknowledged images and ideas. Like Dali, it’s possible that we can position ourselves to experience this rush of creativity when we need it the most. Scientists have determined that our brain experiences a rush of dopamine when doing things as simple as taking a hot shower, eating chocolate, or getting exercise.
Despite its seeming nothingness, the proverbial blank page can be an overwhelming and daunting beast for people that are looking and hoping to create something new and innovative. Sitting and staring tensely at a task-yet-to-be-done, can be very prohibitive to relaxation and thus can truly hinder one’s creativity.
Next time you feel stumped about how to proceed with your creative projects, perhaps it’s time to step away and go for a nice walk, take a hot shower, savor a food or treat that you love, step back and try to find a way to let your mind wander.