{"id":21888,"date":"2022-12-22T16:58:44","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T15:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/?p=21888&preview=true&preview_id=21888"},"modified":"2023-01-03T11:26:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T10:26:25","slug":"dear-doctor-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/2022\/12\/22\/dear-doctor-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Dear doctor…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>
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DEAR DOCTOR…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MENTAL HEALTH QUESTIONS DEALT WITH BY SCIENCE<\/em> FOCUS<\/em> EXPERTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

MY WORK CREATIVITY HAS HIT ROCK BOTTOM. ARE THERE ANY TRICKS TO GET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

RACHEL HARDMAN, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humans are inherently lazy \u2013 we can\u2019t help it, it\u2019s just that we evolved to conserve our energy. But one consequence is that we tend to revert to tried-and-tested thinking patterns. They\u2019re low effort and usually reliable, but unfortunately, they also tend to be boring and predictable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to jolt your brain out of such ruts is to mix up your routine. So, let\u2019s say you\u2019re used to brainstorming ideas on your keyboard at your desk in the afternoon. Instead, get out of the office early in the morning, go up to the top floor, or into the garden, or up a hill or by a river \u2013 somewhere that feels completely different \u2013 and take a voice memo or pencil and paper, and let your ideas flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other tips to try include: reminding yourself of the creative challenge just before you go to bed at night and then coming back to it the next day (this will allow the problem to incubate and your unconscious processes to get to work); going for a brisk walk; brainstorming with someone who has a completely different background and perspective than you do; or try exploiting the creative power of relaxation \u2013 light some candles, run a bubble bath, close your eyes and see what your brain comes up with (just don\u2019t fall asleep). CJ<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

ILLUSTRATION: DANIEL BRIGHT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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