Improves sleeping the creativity ?

Good sleep is the basis for creative ideas – is that true? We explain here why cognitive and creative performance improves when we are well rested.

Table of contents

1. Creativity and Sleep
2. Which sleep phases promote creativity?
3. Does good sleep improve creativity?
4. Does lack of sleep harm creativity?
5. Sleep Tips for More Creativity
6. Conclusion

1. Creativity and sleep

We can simply think better when we've had enough sleep, right? Our brain is highly active when we sleep, and more and more studies are proving that sleep plays a crucial role in our creativity. People who get enough sleep are often better able to find innovative ideas and solve creative challenges. This is related to the different functions of our night's sleep that influence our cognitive performance.

During the night we go through several phases of sleep, including deep sleep and REM sleep (dream sleep). Deep sleep is often primarily responsible for regulating energy levels, while REM sleep is typically associated with information processing and dreaming.

2. Which sleep phases promote creativity?

Creativity is a complex process in our brain. To solve creative problems, the brain must use existing knowledge in memory reorganize or compare new memories with old ones. At night we go through several sleep phases, including deep sleep and REM sleep (dream sleep), in which the day's events and experiences are consolidated in short- and long-term memory. Deep sleep is often primarily responsible for regulating energy levels, while REM sleep is typically associated with information processing and dreaming.

Various studies focus on REM sleep and come to the conclusion that it has a particularly positive effect on creative thinking, as the emotional system is also active during this phase of sleep. In fact, both phases of sleep are said to be important for our ability to think creatively. Other studies show that the natural combination of "good" non-REM and REM sleep creates the best conditions for one's own creativity.

However, a study by the University of Freiburg comes to the conclusion that sleep does not per se improve creativity and that creative information processing is no stronger during sleep than when awake.

3. Does good sleep improve creativity?

Yes and no, a direct improvement in creative problem solving is not entirely clear. However, the fact is that if you sleep well and sufficiently, you create the best conditions for demanding thought processes. When you are well rested, your brain can work best on complex tasks because energy reserves are optimally filled, memory contents of the previous day and, in the best case, new information is sufficiently processed. The scientific situation takes a different view of the effect of lack of sleep on creative and associative thinking.

4. Does lack of sleep harm creativity?

Long-term sleep deprivation has numerous negative consequences and negatively affects overall cognitive performance.

Poor memory performance

Too little sleep has a negative effect on memory performance because it disrupts the processing of information collected during the day.Then we are less able to remember things or it is more difficult to link memory contents with one another.

Lack of concentration

If we don't get enough sleep at night, the brain cannot regenerate sufficiently. This impairs our ability to concentrate and absorb information. We are less able to perceive new content, have less concentration and tire more quickly - which makes thinking more difficult.

Poorer judgment and more mistakes

Sleep deprivation also affects one's perception and judgment. People who don't get enough sleep make more mistakes and take greater risks. This can also limit creative thinking or lead it in the wrong direction.

Emotional instability

Lack of sleep has been shown to increase activity in the parts of the brain that are particularly responsible for emotional tasks. Mood swings are more common and we also become more susceptible to stress. This impairs our cognitive performance and prevents us from successfully tackling complex and creative problems.

5. Sleep tips for more creativity

Sufficient sleep
As is often the case, sufficient sleep is a basic prerequisite for sufficient energy, good memory performance and motivation.

Repeat important information before going to bed
If you repeat important learning content or impressions that can help you with a creative process before going to bed, your brain can process and store them better - this way you learn better and may also be able to subconsciously use content better in creative problem solving.

Get creative after getting up
After getting up, our energy reserves are full and we are usually ready for a new day. The brain is receptive and you can use the time to free your mind for creative thinking.

learning creativity techniques
There are various techniques that can support the process of creativity. Before going to bed, for example, you can do a visualization, a brain dump or creative journaling to really clear your head and try out something creative. After getting up, a morning reflection or creative morning routine is recommended to get you in the mood for the day in a creative way.

6. Conclusion

• Adequate sleep promotes creative thinking processes because it supports memory performance and information processing in the brain.

• Insufficient sleep leads to poorer memory performance, difficulty concentrating, emotional instability and impaired judgment, which negatively affects creative processes.

• Getting enough sleep, reviewing important information before bedtime, or using creative techniques both before bedtime and after waking up can boost creativity and stimulate the mind

Best regards and see you soon!