best approach to a difficulty is to sleep on it). There is, however, anecdotal
evidence that the benefits of the lay off can come without sleep provided that
the mind can escape from the intensity of writing and relax in some way. It is
quite likely that benefits come from spending some quiet time meditating,
shutting your eyes and shutting yourself off, taking physical exercise or
engaging in some absorbing pastime.
Taking a lay off produces a creative refurbishment yielding an array of
benefits. This is a two-sided process, because to bring on the new it is
necessary to despatch the old. First, the lay breaks up established
unproductive patterns of thinking. This despatches the old. Second, the lay off
generally enhances creativity. It “increases the odds that a creative idea or
insight will surface”.
331
It is a “sort of incubation period”
332
or a time when
“ideas [are allowed to] marinate and percolate”.
333
This brings on the new.
Thus the lay off involves a process that is akin to land regenerating when it lies
fallow. Ironically, when we walk away from active consideration of a text (or
from any other mental task for that matter) some creative process is enlivened.
We process the material,
but do so subconsciously without our realising it
while
the conscious mind is occupied with other things. When we return we
experience the benefit of this processing.
Clearly there is an interesting paradox here. As Mark Jung-Beeman puts it:
“When you think you are not thinking about something, you probably are”.
334
Look away and you look deeper. Taking a break causes a break through.
Letting it go lets it come home.
Many benefits accrue from the lay off. As noted, these have been scientifically
demonstrated with regard to sleep but are likely to apply to a relaxing lay off
without sleep. A lay off “enhances performance, learning and memory”.
335
It
“improves creative ability to generate ‘aha’ moments”.
336
It “uncover[s] novel
connections among seemingly unrelated ideas”.
337
It “may help the brain
___________________
331
Berlin (2008)
332
Berlin (2008), quoting Mark Jung-Beeman a psychologist at North Western
University.
333
Berlin (2008)
334
This is quoted in Berlin (2008)
335
Berlin (2008) citing Jeffrey Ellenbogen, a neurologist at Harvard Medical
School
336
Berlin (2008) citing Jeffrey Ellenbogen, a neurologist at Harvard Medical
School
337
Berlin (2008) citing Jeffrey Ellenbogen, a neurologist at Harvard Medical
School
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