THE CREATIVE POWER OF SLEEP

SLEEP – OR THE LACK OF IT – AND CREATIVE MINDS HAVE A FRACTIOUS, IF FASCINATING RELATIONSHIP. EXPERTS REVEAL HOW WE CAN HARNESS SLUMBER TO OPTIMISE ITS IMPACT ON CREATIVITY…

- EMILY GOSLING

Throughout history, those with artistic careers have discussed shut-eye as both an inspirational force and an inspiration sapping foe. Franz Kafka’s insomnia plays out in The Metamorphosis, as the novella’s protagonist Gregor transforms into a cockroach after a sleepless, fitful night; the writer had a habit of working from 11pm until 3am, claiming that the weird hallucinations of sleeplessness helped produce his most creative ideas. Salvador DalÄ« had similar convictions: he’d sit in a chair holding a key until he fell asleep, at which point he’d drop the key on to a plate placed beneath his seat. The noise would wake DalÄ« up and the artist would start to paint, harnessing the fleeting liminal state between waking and dreaming known as hypnagogia.

Yet as most of us are all too aware, sleep is vital for brain functions including how neurons (brain cells) communicate with one another, as well as impacting the heart, lungs, metabolism, immune function, mood and disease resistance. Numerous studies have shown that a chronic lack of good-quality sleep increases the risk of disorders including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and obesity, according to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Sleep is vital for staying alive… and vital for staying creative, too.

ARE CREATIVES MORE PRONE TO POOR SLEEP?