Scientists have long observed that inspiration strikes at the most unexpected times. Often, it arises not during work, but quite the opposite – when you are relaxed, at rest, like Isaac Newton lounging in his garden. All of this stems from a remarkable feature of the brain called neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form new neural connections even in adulthood. When you create a new connection between two ideas, your brain literally rewires itself on an anatomical level to adapt to new processes. The more such neural connections the brain creates, the more new ideas you generate.
This process of creating new pathways occurs with varying effectiveness at different times. When you are focused and alert, your brain exhibits brainwaves associated with focused thinking. When your body prepares for sleep, brain activity changes. It first generates brainwaves associated with relaxation and then slows down further as you fall asleep. It’s these relaxation-related brainwaves that are linked to increased neuroplasticity.
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