In those moments when you desperately need to come up with a clever idea — whether it’s for work, school, or a personal project — and all you can muster is a blank stare, you may be tempted to lock yourself in a quiet room to think. However, it turns out that embracing a bit of background noise might be just the stimulation your mind needs to get those creative juices flowing.
The Science of Noise and Creativity
According to a study by researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign published in the Journal of Consumer Research, there’s a “sweet spot” of background noise that can actually help boost creativity. The study found that moderate levels of background noise (around 70 decibels, which is about as loud as a typical conversation) can help people think more creatively and come up with more innovative ideas, as opposed to being in complete silence or exposed to high levels of noise.
The researchers conducted a series of experiments in which participants were exposed to different levels of background noise while performing various creative tasks. They found that those who completed the tasks with 70 decibels of background noise were more successful in finding inventive solutions compared to those who worked in near-silence or in noisier environments.
Why it Works
So, what makes that sweet spot of 70 decibels so effective in boosting creativity?
According to Ravi Mehta, one of the lead researchers of the study, moderate levels of background noise create just enough distraction to help people think more abstractly and generate new ideas. In other words, the light hum of activity surrounding you forces your brain to work a little harder, leading to more creative thoughts.
When the environment is too quiet, your mind may tend to stay in its comfortable, focused zone, making it harder to take risks or explore uncharted mental territory. On the other hand, high levels of noise can create too much distraction, making it difficult to concentrate and generate creative thoughts at all.
Finding Your Creative Zone
So how can you use this knowledge to harness your own creative potential? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, as everyone’s noise preferences and tolerances differ. Still, using these guidelines, there are several steps you can take to create a more creativity-conducive environment:
- Experiment with background noise: If your current creative process isn’t yielding the results you’d like, try changing up your surroundings. See how your mind responds to different levels of noise, whether it’s the bustling energy of a coffee shop or the muted hum of a library. Keep in mind that it may take some time for your brain to adjust to a new environment, so give it a fair chance before deciding whether or not it’s helping your creativity.
- Use technology to your advantage: If you’re unable to change your environment, you can still create your own optimum noise level using headphones and a variety of apps or websites that simulate different background noise levels. For example, Coffitivity provides audio tracks of a bustling coffee shop, while A Soft Murmur allows you to mix sounds such as rainfall, waves, and birdsong to create your perfect ambient atmosphere.
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Tune into your creative mindset: It’s important to note that this study doesn’t mean you must always work with background noise to be creative. Rather, the key takeaway is that stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing a new environment can help trigger your brain to think more abstractly. Experiment with different creative techniques and environments to find what works best for you.
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Be mindful of others: As you explore your ideal noise level, remember that what works for you might not work for everyone else. People’s preferred noise levels may differ greatly, so if you’re working in a shared space, be respectful of how your noise levels may impact others.
So, the next time you find yourself in a creativity rut, consider shedding your cloak of silence and embracing the buzz of background noise. You never know, a cacophony of creative ideas could be just a few decibels away!
