Your brain LOVES creativity!
If you are already thinking
It’s not for me!
Now may be the time to reconsider.
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.” Dr. Seuss.
Not only is creativity fun, medical research shows that it benefits our mental and physical well-being, too. And of course, thinking creatively stimulates those all-important brain connections.
So what creative activity takes your fancy?
Dancing, playing a musical instrument, writing, drawing, woodworking, designing a garden, painting, making pottery, acting … the list is endless!
The first step is to decide to try,
You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve.
How do I start?
Being creative is like a game of “join the dots”.
The “dots” are things that you already know; then you find ways to connect these to make something new. Steve Jobs
Of course, this takes practice.
As comedian, John Cleese, says
Creativity acts like a tortoise – poking its head out nervously at first before fully emerging.
Coming up with an idea.
Why not try Young‘s five-step process:
1. Collect information:
Enjoy new experiences and life-long learning so you’ll always have lots of “dots” to choose from. Keep your brain connections activated so that you can retrieve information when you need it. Also, keep a notebook or file of article clippings and interesting details.
2. Review:
Regularly review your information to see if there any possibilities for new combinations.
3. Sleep on it!
Now switch off and let your unconscious mind take over. Who has not gained benefit from that wise advice before! However, if you can’t wait that long, at least
set up a short distraction, like meeting with friends, going for a walk or reading an article. Science shows that by temporarily stepping back from a problem we can come up with a better solution. Read more
4. The “a-ha!” moment:
Now an idea will come. Don’t be surprised if this happens when you are least expecting it – the “eureka” moment for Archimedes’ came to him in the bath!
5. Test:
Now check whether your idea needs any adjustment. Talk it over with someone? Try it out by sketching, drawing a process map, think through the steps.
And there you have it!
Your bright, new idea is ready to put into action!
Do you have a tip, comment or story about being creative? Please share it with others. We are all trying to keep our brain connections lively and interested in new ideas.
As a STROKE SURVIVOR I am always look for new way to do things that will help me improve, especially in stretching and strenghtening my arm and hand-fingers muscles. The gym is a great place to do this with suppervisors at hand to help. All this requires thinking and coordination using left and right brain and body muscles. I will aways give it a try no matter if I will be able to do it or not. Having a GREAT ATTITUDE HELPS . Debbie
Well done! This is exactly the attitude and determination that makes the healing difference!
Before and after taking a daily walk or taking pet dog for his Run and Exercise, its good to exercise both legs whilst sitting. It usually takes 5 mins to do leg exercises. Then I spell every letter of the Alphabet (capital letters and small letters eg.Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee, Ff,) Then Stand, up Sit down 3 times. All’s well to go! For hand and arm exercise, twirl a poi/scarf or piece of rope for 5 minutes.
These are excellent tips, Maria. Thank you for sharing them, especially as they are do-able for most people, even without that lucky dog getting his exercise, too!