How to Trick our Brains into Being More Innovative - Part 1

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22 Jul 2023
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Innovation is the key to success in today’s fast-changing world. Whether you want to create a new product, solve a problem, or improve your skills, you need to be able to think creatively and generate novel ideas.

But how do you do that? How do you train your brain to be more innovative?
Contrary to popular belief, creativity is not a fixed trait that you either have or don’t have. Creativity is a skill that can be developed and enhanced with practice and the right strategies.


In this article, I will share with you 5 ways to trick your brain into being more innovative, based on neuroscience and psychology research. These tips will help you boost your creative thinking, overcome mental blocks, and unleash your inner genius.
Let’s get started!

1. Engage with nature 🌳


One of the simplest and most effective ways to boost your creativity is to spend some time in nature. Research has shown that exposure to natural environments can enhance cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving.

Nature can also reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, which can interfere with creative thinking. Moreover, nature can inspire us with its beauty, diversity, and complexity, stimulating our imagination and curiosity.

How can you engage with nature? Here are some ideas:

  • Take a walk in a park, a forest, or a garden.
  • Go hiking, camping, or biking in the countryside.
  • Visit a botanical garden, a zoo, or an aquarium.
  • Bring some plants or flowers into your home or office.
  • Listen to natural sounds, such as birdsong, waterfalls, or ocean waves.


Try to disconnect from your electronic devices and focus on the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of nature. You will feel more relaxed, refreshed, and ready to create.

2. Meditate 🧘‍♂️


Another way to trick your brain into being more innovative is to meditate regularly. Meditation is a practice that involves focusing your attention on a single object, such as your breath, a mantra, or a visualization.

Meditation can help you clear your mind of cluttered thoughts and distractions that can hinder your creativity. It can also improve your concentration, memory, and decision-making skills.

But meditation can do more than that. It can also activate the whole brain and increase the communication between different brain regions. This can enhance your ability to combine different ideas and perspectives into something new and original.

How can you meditate? Here are some tips:

  • Find a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed.
  • Choose a time of day when you are not too tired or too alert.
  • Start with short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes and gradually increase the duration.
  • Use an app or a guided audio to help you focus and relax.
  • Experiment with different types of meditation, such as mindfulness, transcendental, or zen.

Meditate regularly and consistently to reap the benefits for your creativity.

3. Get moving 🏃‍♀️


Physical exercise is not only good for your body but also for your brain. Exercise can boost your mood, energy levels, and cognitive performance. It can also stimulate the growth of new brain cells and connections that are essential for learning and creativity.

Exercise can also trigger the release of endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters that can enhance your motivation, pleasure, and reward systems. These chemicals can make you feel more positive, confident, and open-minded.

How can you get moving? Here are some suggestions:

  • Choose an activity that you enjoy and that suits your fitness level.
  • Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
  • Vary your routine and try new things to challenge yourself.
  • Incorporate some aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises into your schedule.
  • Invite a friend or a colleague to join you for some social and fun exercise.

Exercise regularly and moderately to optimize your brain function and creativity.

4. Connect with different kinds of people 🙋‍♂️


Another way to trick your brain into being more innovative is to interact with people who have different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences than you. Diversity can enrich your knowledge, broaden your horizons, and spark new ideas.

Research has shown that diverse teams can produce more creative and innovative solutions than homogeneous teams. This is because diversity can increase the variety of information, opinions, and perspectives that can be combined and integrated into novel outcomes.

How can you connect with different kinds of people? Here are some examples:

  • Join a club, a class, or a community that interests you.
  • Attend events, workshops, or conferences that are related to your field or passion.
  • Volunteer for a cause that you care about or that challenges you.
  • Travel to a new place and learn about its culture, history, and customs.
  • Seek feedback, advice, or mentorship from someone who has a different expertise or experience than you.

Connect with different kinds of people and learn from them. You will discover new possibilities and opportunities for your creativity.

5. Keep smartphones out of sight 📵


One of the biggest enemies of creativity is distraction. And one of the biggest sources of distraction is your smartphone. Your smartphone can constantly interrupt your attention with notifications, messages, calls, and apps. It can also tempt you to check it compulsively and waste time on social media, games, or news.

Distraction can impair your focus, memory, and problem-solving skills. It can also reduce your mental capacity and creativity. Research has shown that even the mere presence of your smartphone can reduce your cognitive performance and attention span.

How can you keep smartphones out of sight? Here are some ideas:

  • Turn off your notifications or put your phone on silent mode when you need to concentrate.
  • Keep your phone in another room or in a drawer when you are working on a creative task.
  • Use an app or a tool that blocks or limits your access to certain apps or websites during certain hours.
  • Set boundaries and expectations with your friends, family, and colleagues about when you are available and when you are not.
  • Schedule some phone-free time every day to relax, reflect, or create.

Keep smartphones out of sight and out of mind when you want to be more innovative.

Conclusion:


In this article, I have shared with you 5 ways to trick your brain into being more innovative. These tips are based on neuroscience and psychology research and can help you enhance your creative thinking, overcome mental blocks, and unleash your inner genius.

I hope you found this article useful and interesting. In the next part, I will share with you 5 more ways to trick your brain into being more innovative. Stay tuned!

Question:


Which of these tips have you tried or would like to try? How did they affect your creativity? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!


Also check out some of the articles that I have written recently !!!


Stay tuned for the next parts! Thanks for reading.



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