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any ions ago when we were children, finger painting, napping was a regular hobby of ours. Now that we are older, using Photoshop, napping is frowned upon. Research has proven that napping can actually help you be more efficient in the workplace. You can make yourself more alert reduce stress and improve cognitive functioning with a nap.

Many designers, like me spend wee hours of the night tweeting, working on self-initiated projects, or freelancing to keep our design gears fresh. And there is not enough time to inspire yourself during the day since some you are either working with templates, art director constraints, or a funny style guide. When you finally do go to sleep, it’s way past your bed time, and it’s time to go to work.

So what is the best thing to do? Either switch your inspiration time from late at night to your daily work hours, or take a nap. Why take a nap? Because you will look less productive. Kidding.

Studies have shown that very skilled designers need what is called, “nothing-ness” time. Especially after a very creative project, designers need time to rejuvenate. Many times this process can be seen as, what appears to be, “laziness” or just unproductive. Scientist seeking to understand the creative mind are wondering if this temporary period of nothing-ness is the reason some artist and writers are able to produce more detailed and well refined pieces.

When compared to other artist, that were the “crash-n-burn” type, they both were able to get the job done, but the designer who had a period of “nothing-ness” was able to produce a more time-less creative piece, than the designer who took no periods of nothing-ness in their creative process.

So there are some creative advantages. What about non-creative advantages? Mid-day sleep, or a ‘power nap’, also means more patience, less stress, better reaction time, increased learning, more efficiency and better health. So what do you think? Do you have periods of “nothing-ness” after intense creative projects, and does it make you more creative?

Aman Anderson writes about design trends, and web design. He is a photographer, and really enjoys spending time with his new toy called Instagram. Follow him on twitter at twitter.com/amananderson.

  • http://twitter.com/sfortier Sandy Fortier

    I always think of my naps making me more productive, which usually does mean that I am more creative too. 

  • http://www.amananderson.com Aman Anderson

    Yeah me too! I really value naps now more than ever. Nice to meet you Sandy!

  • http://www.toddandelin.com Todd_Andelin

    Naps are great.  Also, slightly mundane repetitious physical labor seems to work well for me.  After a large, tall Elm tree was cut down in the backyard, I had to move about 100 logs and stack them.  Wow.  Total therapy in a way.

  • Anonymous

    Wow! That’s great therapy! Go often do you do it? Nice to meet you!

  • Anonymous

    I’m not sure if my comment went through, but I totally agree!

  • http://twitter.com/everybodyelse01 Melody

    It doesn’t have to be a nap, though I do find a good nap works wonders. But even taking time out to watch tv, play a video game, read a book, or grab a coffee revs up the creativity.