Chemicals and the Creative Mind
Disclaimer:
While this post does talk about the consumption of alcohol and caffeine it is
in no way tell you to go out and use it.
How
do you get prepared to create? And when I say create I mean anything that
requires you to be creative. Whether it be blog content, designing a logo, or
drawing.
Do
you have to be in a certain mood or do you create on the fly? For me personally
I have to be in a certain mood and if I don’t create while I’m in that mood I
feel that I may lose the idea that I have. Now I may get it back at a later
time but the out come will be totally different.
I
noticed that I do some of my best work in the morning. I’m not a morning person
in the slightest. But after I came across this article I realized what was
helping me churn out what I think is my best work.
The
article I read explains how our creative minds are affected by the consumption
of caffeine, alcohol and other substances. The gist of it is coffee tells our
brain not to fall asleep while at the same time keeping us focused on the task
at hand. Most mornings when I’ve got work to get done and an idea to develop I
sit down at my desk with a large cup of coffee. Which is when I feel I get my
best work done.
The
piece goes on to explain the affects of alcohol. Alcohol reduces our
inhibitions therefore allowing us to express ourselves freely without getting
hung up on things like grammar and feelings.
So
in short alcohol helps us come up with creative ideas while caffeine helps
smooth out the rough edges and makes it presentable. When you’ve got the time
go on over and read it for yourself. It gives more details, has videos and an
awesome infographic.
How
do get in the mood to create?
I knew that about coffee but had no idea that alcohol helps you be more creative. That is so interesting. Thank you for sharing this article
ReplyDelete--Me And My Mini Me
www.meandmyminime.com
I thought it was really interesting as well. I never believed people when they told me they were more creative when drinking. Go figure. LOL
DeleteI am very similar to you in this regard. I also do my best work in the mornings and find that coffee really helps me along. A nice glass of wine helps when I practice Spanish on Rosetta Stone:). Alcohol and foreign language is a great combination!
ReplyDeleteLOL Thanks JoAnn. Apparently I have been going about learning Italian the wrong way.
DeleteThe connection they're drawing between alcohol and creativity makes sense, but I've never experienced it personally. Drinking just makes me feel unfocused and sleepy.
ReplyDeleteThe connection between caffeine and focus, on the other hand, I experience every day. :)
Some people like creating as soon as they get out of bed, before they've totally woken up. I think this technique is similar to the alcohol technique; if you're still in a dream-state, your brain is still making associations between random things, and you're not feeling typical inhibitions yet.
I personally like creating at night. I wake up in middle of the night with what i think are pretty good ideas. However, i have the most focus in the morning thou.
DeleteI like the thought of being in a dream state. It makes sense too.