What Dali and Edison Had in Common

I have leveraged post-lunch naps for feeling fresh and more productive in the afternoon (especially after nights my son decides that sleep is a bad idea). However, this week I learned how it could also help spark creativity.

I am taking this course about how to improve the way you learn, which talks about the importance of alternating between focused and diffuse types of learning. Focused is when you are concentrated and conscious trying to learn something, but diffuse is relaxed and subconsciously creates surprising connections (and creativity).

To evoke the diffuse state, we need to be relaxed; that’s why many people have great ideas in showers. It turns out we do a lot of that thinking during sleep, especially during hypnagogia, the state between wakefulness and sleep.

Interestingly, both Edison and Dalí used this trick. They would try to sleep with a small object in their hands so that the moment they fell asleep, the thing would fall and wake them up. Once they woke up, they would go to work with a new splash of creativity. It is another excellent reminder of the importance of getting good sleep.

Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!