Your brain does creative work better when you’re tired:
Sounds weird, I agree. When our brains are working at its peak, these are times to make analytical decisions. However, when it comes to being creative and thinking outside of the box it is best done when we are tired. During this time, our brain isn’t as good at filtering out distractions and focusing on a particular task. We find ourselves less efficient at remembering connections between ideas or concepts. These are positive things when we are required to make new connections and be open to new ideas, and think in new ways.
An article found in Scientific American explains how tiredness and distractions can be a good thing for creative thinking:
Insight problems involve thinking outside the box. This is where susceptibility to “distraction” can be of benefit. At off-peak times we are less focused, and may consider a broader range of information. This wider scope gives us access to more alternatives and diverse interpretations, thus fostering innovation and insight.
Stress can change the size of your brain; and make it smaller:
Stress is the most common cause of changes in brain function. To understand how stress affects our brains click here.
It is literally impossible for our brains to multitask:
When we think we’re multitasking, we’re actually context-switching. That is, we’re quickly switching back and forth between different tasks, rather than doing them at the same time.
Research shows that the error rate increases by 50% and it takes twice as long to do things. When we try and do multiple things at the same time, we are splitting our brain’s resources. We’re giving less attention to each task and performing less than we would if we focussed on one task at a time.
A study in Paris found that when a second task was required, the brains of the study volunteers split up, with each hemisphere working alone on a task. The brain was overloaded and couldn’t perform at its full capacity, and when three tasks were introduced, results were extreme poor performance with tasks being forgotten or multiple errors being made.
Naps improve your brain’s day-to-day performance :
Now that we have scientific proof that “cat naps” are good for us, never feel ashamed of it again. Napping improves memory.
In one study participants had to memorise illustrated cards to test their memory strength. After memorising a set of cards, they had a 40 minute break wherein one group napped and the other stayed awake. After the break, both groups were tested on their memory of the cards, resulting with the group which napped performing better:
Much to the surprise of the researchers, the sleep group performed significantly better, retaining on average 85% of the patterns, compared to 60% of those who has remained awake.
Napping helps our brains to solidify memories; research indicates that when a memory is first recorded in the brain – in the hippocampus, it is still “fragile” and easily forgotten. Napping pushes memories to the neocortex, the brain’s more “permanent storage”.
Some recent research has found that the right side of the brain is far more active during a nap than the left side. Andrei Medvedev speculated the right side of the brain handles housekeeping duties while we’re asleep. While the left side of the brain is relaxing, the right side is clearing out temporary storage areas, pushing information into long-term storage and solidifying your memories for the day.
We tend to like people who make mistakes more:
Making mistakes makes us more likable due to something called the Pratfall Effect.
Those who never make mistakes are perceived as less likable than those who commit the occasional mistakes. Messing up draws people closer to you, making you more human. Perfection creates distance and an unattractive air of invincibility. Those of us with flaws win every time. This is further explained (6 Powerful Psychological Effects That Explain how Our Brains Tick)
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