by Shockadelica

Created on: July 11, 2007

Insomnia can definitely HELP creativity. Of course! But only if you free your mind and let it take over, in a sense. Being a long time insomniac as well as a writer and a dancer, I have learned to use the idle time to my benefit. A common truth is that most insomnia is due to be a creative person or having an overly active mind. That is to say that your body is tired and done for the day but your mind just keeps going. No matter how you try to quiet it, it just keeps grinding on and on. A lot of times people find that this is because they have some artistic or creative idea (consciously or subconsciously) trying to "get out" so to speak.

Instead of getting up and doing something when you can't sleep, let your mind 'flow' so to speak. A lot of insomniacs will get out of bed and clean house or work out. This is going to waste the time and might exhaust you to the point of finally being able to go to sleep, but it's not going to 'cure' your insomnia. The only way to finally rest peacefully and have your mind at rest is to get out whatever thought bubble that's in your mind trying to burst. Don't get out of bed.. lay there and let your mind wander. A lot of the best creative ideas I've gotten has been during the wee hours of the night while I was trying to sleep.

I suggest if you're a writer or a musician or even an artist, to keep a journal by the side of your bed or even under your pillow. When your mind is wandering and something comes to mind, roll over and scribble the idea down. Sketch it out. GET it out. Then a lot of times you'll find that you're able to go to sleep a little easier after. In the morning, after some good rest, you can use that creative spark and develop it into whatever your creative craft is. In my case, I was a dancer / choreographer for a number of years and I always suffered from insomnia. A lot of times during the day I'd reach a creative block on my choreography. I'd load the song into a mp3 player or walkman and whenever I'd have insomnia I'd play the song over my headphones, very low while TRYING to go to sleep. I'd find my mind doing the work for me... as I'd see the choreography in my mind. I'd make note of it and then drift off to sleep... obviously having my creativity heightened during insomnia which helped develop my craft in my daily life.

A lot of musicians do this same kind of thing. The best lyrics or songs will come to them in idle time while trying to quiet themselves enough to sleep. Some may disagree.. but I think there's a REASON for insomnia.. and I think it can be a vast help to creativity or trying to get past a creative block. A type of meditation if you will....

Learn more about this author, Shockadelica.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.