RISMEDIA, June 11, 2009-(MCT)-“A California dream researcher has proven something that wouldn’t surprise Mozart or Keith Richards. It’s that dreaming is a great way to solve creative problems.
Dr. Sara Mednick, a sleep psychologist at the University of California, San Diego, found that subjects who, between morning and afternoon word-game sessions, took a nap that included a period of lively dreaming called REM sleep, improved their later scores by 40%.
Scores for those who merely rested or whose naps included no REM sleep didn’t budge, Mednick reports in Monday’s online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. REM sleep is the most conked-out stage of slumber, named after the rapid eye movement that characterizes it.
The idea that dreams have creative utility isn’t new. Richards, for one, has said that he dreamed the riff that underlies the Rolling Stones song “Satisfaction,” and Mozart claimed some of his music came to him in dreams.”
For those of us who have hit our extremely busy summer season – there are many opportunities – not to sleep. We need to pace ourselves better and get the rest our bodies so desperately need. In order to be really effective with creative scripting on the spot and inventive ideas to make some difficult contracts fly like the wind – we need to rest. True rest, where we dream. Dreaming of fishing, Para- sailing, the hogger of a life time – the dream doesn’t matter as much as the fact that you are dreaming. Real estate agents need to be creative. As a REALTOR/Staging Specialist, I am constantly tapping into my artistic side.
I started to just get so worn out that I spent all day tired. This morning I slept in a half an hour longer. I am not an early morning person and I had attempted to make myself into one out of necessity. The problem was, I was still keeping my midnight hours as well. All work, no play – no good. My husband is doing better after his nightmare of a back surgery so that frees up a bit more of my time and definitely takes down the stress level.
Ahhhh California Dreaming is – a good thing.
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Hi Kathleen
Great to see another MN gal on the rain. I grew up there but live in AZ now. Good post.......more sleep would be a good thing. I try to pay more attentiong to that as i get older. I think they know the real deal!
Sweet Dreams!
Kathleen, your advice is good - REM sleep is incredibly important and so many pride themselves on their abilility to go with little sleep, I love my sleep, it does keep you creative!
Mmmm...a very timely post. We all fall into this trap of "always on", at some point in our careers. Good advice, here.
Kathleen, that is a great idea... now if only I can find time for a NAP every day! Thanks for posting to our group, http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice
I am already forgetting my own advice as it is 10:30 PM and I am still typing away. Nite all!
My dad can take a nap for 15 min. and he says it does wonders. I've never been able to do that!
Cindy - I am no napper but those who are do, wake refreshed and ready to go. I would probably just stay asleep for hours.
Kathleen... now I know what to say to Ryan when I zonk out during a staging. I'm "California Dreamin" Honey! ("I am having a creative moment" just wasn't working any more;))))
Hi Kathleen,
I like it! A valid reason to take a little power nap...I mean, to have a 'creative session'.
: )
Michael - Glad I could give you an excuse - I mean valid reason!!!!!
Lori Kim - We are going like crasy right now and have one to get on the MLS quick so I can show it - and hopefully sell it. These buyers are anxious to see the home and not just my photos - whew staging works people!!!