I recently posted about the Bizarre Sleeping Habits of Famous People. The subject generated a lot of comments, so here’s a followup post on that. How can sleep help boost your writing?
Many writers find themselves in a creative slump every now and then. When you’re looking for ways to be more productive, creative, and efficient, you may not need to look any further than your own bedroom.
Sleep—the most basic of needs—is often all you really need.
It may sound too simple, but sleep acts as your body’s way of healing and recharging. It’s also when key aspects of learning and creative problem solving take place.
Increase Your Creative Edge
Your creativity, in part, relies on a full night’s rest.
You may be unaware of the world around you while you sleep, but your brain is hard at work. While you sleep, your brain keeps working through problems or tasks you’ve encountered during the day, actively looking for solutions.
In so doing, sleep enhances your insight and ability to think creatively. If you can’t figure out how to get your protagonist from point A to point F, the answer may come after you’ve slept. Your brain goes through possible solutions and scenarios while you’re completely unaware. If you’ve ever woken from sleep and the answer to a complex plot twist suddenly hit you, it’s probably because your brain worked through the solution during the night.
Absorb, Connect, and Retain
Writers are learners. Whether it’s observing human behavior or absorbing new technical information to give your characters real-world credibility, writers are constantly in learning mode.
While you sleep, the brain gets to work putting new information and experiences into the context of what you already know. Knowledge deepens and gains context when it fits within the framework you already have. It also allows you, as the writer, to use information in ways only you can. After all, you are what makes your writing unique.
Emotional Awareness
Deep insight into human behavior and motivation builds worlds and characters with the breadth and depth that make them come alive.
The brooding artist archetype may seem mysterious and exciting, but in reality, it can make for irritability and mood swings. Additionally, writers (present company included) are known for their self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Sleep can alleviate both.
Without sleep, the emotional center of the brain goes into hyperdrive by overreacting to negative thoughts and feelings. Usually, the logical part of the brain steps in and keeps things under control. However, when you’re running low on sleep, this part of the brain goes dormant.
Sleep keeps everything in balance, including your imposter syndrome.
Build Better Sleep Habits
- Comfort is Key: Everything in the bedroom should lead you to sleep. Your mattress should support your weight and maintain a neutral spinal position. If you struggle with hip or back pain, try a pillow between the knees and be sure your head pillow doesn’t kink your neck.
- Consistent Sleep Schedule: A consistent bedtime regulates the release of sleep hormones. It also strengthens your body’s response to your circadian rhythms, which control all of your biological cycles that repeat within a 24-hour period.
- Create a Bedtime Routine: A bedtime routine helps you transition from a stressful day into a restful sleep. Start it at the same time each day and perform each activity in the same order. Include activities that release physical and mental stress and tension.
- Eat for Sleep: Fuel your body with nutritional foods. Eat your meals at regular times and intervals to strengthen your body and stabilize your circadian rhythms. Check out my post, 5 Foods and Drinks to Help you Boost your Creativity, for more surprising ideas on how your diet can help you write.
Conclusion
Sleep can be a full partner in your creativity and productivity. Make it a priority, and you may find the solutions to plot issues and find more joy in your writing process!
tidalscribe said:
A good reminder that sleep is not just time wasted that could be spent writing. But it seems our brain never rests!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Absolutely–on both counts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
jenanita01 said:
I always had a sleep button when I was younger, and could literally fall asleep at will. These days I can still sleep, but wake far too early! Consequently, I run out of steam after lunch…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I so envy having a sleep button even if I did wake up too soon 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
beetleypete said:
I get to bed at a reasonable time. But I am more easily woken by things now. Last night, I was woken up by torrential rain before 4 am. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oh wow! Must have been one heck of a shower…
LikeLiked by 1 person
beetleypete said:
Just the usual ‘Beetley Torrential’, Nicholas. More on the way later. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Charles Yallowitz said:
Sleep is a difficult topic at times. Having sleep apnea, it isn’t easy getting a good nights worth. Even if I’m out for 8 hours, it can end up being restless and doesn’t help me much. Naps and breaks can help cover the loss to some extent. Still, it feels like sleep gets taken for granted by many.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I couldn’t agree more! Sleep is taken for granted by many…
LikeLike
CHINA ALEXANDRIA LIVING THE DREAM said:
I FIND NGETTING TO BED EARLY MEANS I WAKE UP IN THE EARLY HOURS WITH SOME FANTASTIC PLOTS IN MY HEAD I EVEN GET THE CHARACTER’S
NAMES
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oh, wow! That’s awesome 😀
LikeLike
CHINA ALEXANDRIA LIVING THE DREAM said:
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don't Lose Hope said:
The link between sleep and any kind of cognitive functioning makes sense. If only it was possible to always have a good night’s sleep!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
The irony is, the more you need it, the worse it usually is, quality-wise! I’m thinking of my recent cold, in particular. I was exhausted but constant coughing kept waking me up. Adding insult to injury, I had my mom tell me, “all you need is a good night’s sleep.” Sigh…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
As Nicholas reminds us, without sleep, the emotional center of the brain goes into hyperdrive by overreacting to negative thoughts and feelings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
petespringerauthor said:
One thing I’m better about is getting up in the night and writing a good idea down instead of lying there wondering if I’ll remember it in the morning. Writing it down gives me permission to go to sleep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I know the feeling! It’s why I always keep a notebook next to my bed.
LikeLike
wilfredbooks said:
Very sensible, Nicholas. I think we can worry too much about not sleeping for a regulation 8 hours (or whatever); I think it’s the quality of our sleep which influences our general health, rather than the quantity! I generally go to bed around the same time, but I’m waking up at 4-5 am; I just doze & dream until I’m ready to get up, so it’s all good! Cheers, Jon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
True enough! I’d still love a “regulation” 8-hour sleep… 😀
The time between waking up and getting up is one of the most productive, writing-wise. That’s when I get my best ideas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
wilfredbooks said:
Reblogged this on Wilfred Books and commented:
Good sleep in not only good for our health, but also our creativity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
kimwrtr said:
Reblogged this on Kim's Musings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: How Better Sleep Can Boost Your Writing — Nicholas C. Rossis | English Literature and Grammar
Jeff Lopez said:
Nice artical !!! thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you, Jeff 🙂
LikeLike
Jeff Lopez said:
Really a great post. Thanks for sharing this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much, Jeff! Apologies for the tardy response; I took a few days off and I’m slowly catching up 🙂
LikeLike
Brett said:
Great article, I really look forward to your advice since I love to write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you, Brett! I hope you also like to sleep, given the post’s topic 🙂
LikeLike