Can recession squelch creativity?

Science shows it to be so. According to the journal Science, thinking and performance are both hindered by types of stress ranging from mildly upset to fearful. The underlying neurobiology proves what many of us already know. The ‘thinking brain’, which turns on learning and creativity, shuts down during stress and gives way to ‘primitive brain’ which reduces our capacity to take in new information and generate new ideas. The feeling of being somewhat powerless in a larger framework like the global economy only adds to the problem.

So how do you gets those creative synapses firing? Freeing your brain may be as simple as freeing yourself from your desk. Take thirty minutes to walk and focus on breathing deep. As you exhale, release thoughts of time, money and responsibilities. On the inhale, take in the sounds and smells around you. Interested in more ways to inspire creativity? We’ve put together our favorite ways to grab a 20 minute mental vacation in the paper, Inspired Creativity.

Disclaimer: we’re not doling out medical advice. Just sharing some of the practices that have helped us through 25 years of ‘creativity on a deadline and budget’.