Are you the type who’s always daydreaming or lost in thought? Well, good news! According to a new study from the University of Arizona, people like you may be more creative than most.
The study was published in the Creativity Research Journal, and it suggests that creative individuals tend to use their free time in a more productive way.
The Importance of Downtime
Researchers found that creative people feel less bored when they are left alone with their thoughts. They allow one idea to lead to another, exploring their minds freely.
This was especially noticeable during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of prolonged downtime for many. The more creative participants reported feeling less bored and more engaged with their thoughts.
The Science Behind It
Quentin Raffaeli, the lead author of the study, said, “We wanted to understand what happens in the mind of creative people, especially when they are free to think without constraints.”
Most studies either guide participants to think a certain way or ask them to recount their thoughts. However, little is known about how thoughts naturally occur and progress over time.
A Glimpse into Creative Minds
History is rich with stories of famous scientists, artists, and philosophers who thrived when alone with their thoughts. Many of their best ideas came during periods of idle time.
But in today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world, such quiet moments are becoming rare.
The study was divided into two parts. First, participants were asked to sit alone for 10 minutes without any digital devices and express their thoughts out loud.
The researchers then assessed their creativity using a divergent thinking test, which measures a person’s ability to think innovatively.
Findings of the Study
Participants who did well on the test had thoughts that flowed freely and connected to one another. The researchers noted that creative people showed signs of associative thinking.
They also found that creative people were more engaged in their thoughts when left alone without distractions.
The researchers extended the study during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when many people spent more time alone with their thoughts.
Over 2,600 adults answered questions via a smartphone app called Mind Window. Participants who identified themselves as creative reported being less bored during the pandemic.
The Value of Idle Time
The researchers concluded that we need to better manage our time to relax with our thoughts in our homes, workplaces, and schools.
Jessica Andrews-Hanna, senior author of the paper, said, “Understanding why different people think the way they do may lead to promising interventions to improve health and well-being.”
The team continues their research using the Mind Window app, encouraging people to download and use the app to help understand how different people think in their everyday lives.
This suggests that embracing your idle time can help unlock creativity, proving it’s okay to let your mind wander sometimes.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and Coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
The study was published in Creativity Research Journal.
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