What if you could stand out from the crowd and do things differently? How to look at your life from the distance? How to boost your creativity? Can we unlock our potential and put it into action?
Creativity is a spark. It can be excruciating when we’re rubbing two rocks together and getting nothing. And it can be intensely satisfying when the flame catches and a new idea sweeps around the world. Jonah Lehrer
These tips should definitely help you with that.
Take refreshing naps
According to this research, taking naps during the day, will boost your long-term memory. Matthew Walker, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of California, said: “It’s almost like clearing out your informational inbox of your e-mail so you can start to receive new e-mails the next day”.
So take this tip is: take 20- 30 minute naps during the day to enhance your memory and reset you brain. This is why Google or Apple let their workers do just that!
Write by hand
Do you remember the the last time you took a pen and wrote anything longer than just signing your name somewhere? Technology has changed our daily lives so much that it’s even possible people find it hard to write by hand.
When I draw something, the brain and the hands work together.
Tadao Ando
There are studies indicating that writing by hand keeps your brain more active and stimulates your cognitive skills.
Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand
Don’t let your brain be bored and surprise it by doing things differently. For example brushing your teeth with your hand other than usual will result in stimulating the part of brain which controls that hand.
Read loud with your friend
Yes, we know you like reading in your quiet zone. When nobody is annoying you with silly questions. But what if you could read a book with your friend or partner from time to time for a change? Our brain’s neural circuits work differently when we listen to reading than when we read silently.
Eat something new
Bored of the same dishes you eat every single day, every single week? Open you taste for something new. Find new cuisine which you’ve never tasted before. New tastes can stimulate taste buds on your tongue and new doors activate receptors in your nose. Get yourself into this unexpected journey of new emotions! There are many simple but creative online recipes you can use to start with.
Think outside the box
I know it’s an old cliché but it works! Boost your creativity and think about new applications of ordinary daily-life things.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Albert Einstein
For example, take your mobile phone and do something unusual with it: bookmark for your book, a measure, a microphone, an extender, stress toy, a mirror.
Turn things upside down
Ok, so look at a picture. For now, your left part of the brain is operational and there is nothing special about what you see.
Now turn this picture upside down. Now right side of brain works, you see shapes, colours and connections. Repeat this exercise with other objects to strengthen your attention.
Watch ideas, not dull movies
I strongly recommend you to fill your brain with new ideas. Instead of watching TV, try to watch every single day something mind-blowing or widening your mental horizons. TED Talks is a great source of such videos.
You can also (almost literally) blow your mind with these channels: https://www.youtube.com/user/theslowmoguys, https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2,
https://www.youtube.com/user/1veritasium or https://www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE
Have a lot of sex
A mouse study at the University of Maryland indicated that frequent sex significantly increased the creation of neurons in the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for long-term memory. According to psychologists, sex also floods your brain cells with oxygen.
Love what you do
Are you passionate about your job? Do you have an interesting hobby? Anything you could be exited about? If you don’t, it’s time to make some serious changes about that. You must have positive feelings towards your activities too.
Any kind of novelty or excitement drives up dopamine in the brain,
and dopamine is associated with romantic love.
Helen Fisher
Remember the moment on a Friday evening when you are tired and friends tell you there is a party? Think as if this fabulous party was your daily job!
Challenge Yourself
Try to think about brain like it was your muscle, your great biceps. If you want to grow it and make more stronger, you have to exercise every single day.
To think is to practice brain chemistry.
Deepak Chopra
Try to surprise your brain with new unusual activities or do these ordinary ones in a different way. Never underestimate yourself, despite what other people say. You can be amazed at what you are capable of.