5 Things in Your Environment That Could Be Hurting Your Creativity
5 Things in Your Environment That Could Be Hurting Your Creativity
Written By: Randi Zimmerman
Stuck in a creative rut? These 5 things might be the reason for your struggle! Here are some commonly overlooked things in your space that may be killing your creativity…
Too Loud
Although listening to music can have a positive effect on creativity, blasting it too loud can have the opposite result. When your surroundings are too loud, it makes hard for your brain to process information, overwhelming your senses. Alternatively, studies have shown that ambient noise is the best for getting those creative juices flowing.
Too Cold
When your body is too cold, it takes a ton of energy to warm itself up. That means all that valuable energy that could be going towards creating the next best thing is being used up to regulate your body temperature. Something so simple can make a huge difference, so grab some blankets, raise the thermostat a couple degrees and get to work!
Harsh Lighting
Bright, artificial light is not only terrible for your eyes, but it causes headaches, messes with your circadian rhythm, and even increases overall stress. The vitamin D we get from natural sunlight regulates your serotonin, melatonin and healthy brain function.
So if you’re stuck in a rut, open your blinds, step outside, take a moment to sit in the sun. You’d be surprised how much of a difference this makes in clearing your mind and improving your creativity.
Boring Decor
As creatives, we thrive off of unique expression, the fun, the colorful and everything in-between. Whether it be in the form of experiences, how we dress ourselves or decorate our space, we tend to do better in environments that reflect the creativity we feel inside.
Decorating your space with things that inspire you is a great way to keep your mind in that creative zone. Apparently, studies have shown that a quick glimpse of green enhances creative performance and a flash of blue can give you more original ideas. Whether it scientifically works or not, a bit of color never hurt.
Uncomfortable Workspace
This one is a given, but it’s important to mention! Make sure wherever you’re working is nice and comfortable. If you’re in the studio, bring a blanket or a pillow to sit on and nice, comfortable headphones. In an office, make sure you have a comfortable chair. Wherever you are, being comfortable is the foundation for keeping yourself focused.
To wrap it all up…
You’d be surprised how many things can give you a mental roadblock. From subliminal things like lighting and temperature to the more obvious distractions in your space, there are tons of little things you can change that will make a world of difference.
In the meantime, we have a couple other articles to help boost your creativity and improve your workflow. Check those out below:
- How to Tap Into Creativity When You Have Writers Block
- 5 Things That May Be Hurting Your Creativity
- How To Reframe Negative Thinking Patterns
Good luck!
Written by Randi Zimmerman
Re-posted from the Symphonic Blog
Published on March 1, 2023
2 minute read
