People often think their brain works in a way that is in complete contrast with reality.
In the spirit of understanding our brains better, I decided to do some research into the way our brain works and the things that influence it.
Here are a few interesting factoids I came across.
We Can’t Truly Multitask
When we think we’re successfully multitasking, we are actually just constantly switching the contexts of our thought process.
Simply put, our brain is switching between tasks, as it can never truly perform both task A and B simultaneously.
Single-tasking is much better than trying to work on different things at the same time.
Tiredness = Creativity
Unlike most tasks, creativity is actually found to be boosted in those who are tired.
It turns out, when our brains aren’t functioning at full capacity, we tend to approach the reasoning and logic of things in different ways than we normally would. This helps us think of new concepts and connections.
We are also more susceptible to distractions and less focused when were’ re tired, which is good for creativity.
Mistakes Can be Attractive
Strangely enough, we tend to like people who make mistakes.
This is due to the Pratfall Effect.
People who never make mistakes are seen as less likable than those who do so occasionally.
Mistakes makes you more human. Perfection creates distance and the projection of invincibility (which people don’t like).
Trying New Things Slows Down Time
Maybe not literally, but trying new activities can make your brain perceive time as going by more slowly.
Our brain takes a lot of information and organizes it in different ways, which is where our perception comes from. To make the matter more complicated, our perception is not only handled by one part of our brain, but many different areas.
Due to this, when our brain has to process unfamiliar information/tasks, it takes longer to organize it and therefore that period of time feels longer.
Novelty can slow down time and make it seem like you are living longer.
Naps Improve Daily Performance
Science shows us that many amazing benefits are to be had by short 40min-1 hour nap breaks, here and there.
Two of the biggest boosts the body experiences from frequent napping is increased learning capability and improved memory function.
This happens because when you take time to nap, your brain can process the temporary storage areas located in the right hemisphere and move things to long term storage, which locks in the memories.
This in turn gets the brain ready to take in new information and learn new things.
Stress Changes the Size of Your Brain
Stress is the most common factor in changes to brain function.
Many recent studies show that are brain actually shrinks if we are constantly exposed to stressful situations.
Stress has always been known as an unhealthy factor when disproportionately experienced, but as we have come to understand the brain more thoroughly, the more we realize how truly toxic stress can become.
Meditation is Healthy
Some may put aside meditation as new-age nonsense, but the truth is that the practice has many natural benefits for the brain.
Those who frequently meditate have been found to be less anxious, more creative, and able to maintain memories more effectively.
Additionally, meditation has been connected to creating more compassion in those who practice it.
Vision is the Strongest Sense
Although we have five senses, studies suggest that our vision takes precedence over the other four.
Given the guesswork our brain actually does when building our vision, this fact is somewhat worrisome.
Professional wine tasters have even been known to be tricked by white wines that have simply been dyed red. In fact, the sheer amount of areas in the brain that are informed by vision alone is astounding.