I was reading an article from Inc. Magazine this morning on the link between cortisol and creativity.

Here’s an excerpt I found incredibly relevant this fine Sunday morning:

“Spikes in stress hormones such as cortisol counteract the creativity-boosting effects of serotonin. Plus, stressed-out people tend to be closed off to new ideas, says Shiv. Studies of baboons have shown that when experiencing stress, they refuse to seek out new territory (or mates, for that matter).”

So … why was I reading such an article?

Well. It wasn’t for the baboon commentary. I’ll tell ya that much.

It was because my dumb ass woke up this morning and did the one thing I promised myself I’d never do on the weekend:

Check my work emails.

Immediately, I saw feedback from my CEO for a huge project I’ve been working on the last two weeks.

Of course, it was nothing bad.

But seeing an email from the CEO … giving feedback on copy … on a Sunday?

Well, that can trigger a cortisol boost.

(If you live under a rock: cortisol = your body’s main stress hormone.)

NOT cortisone, which I somehow conflated in my mind to think was the same as cortisol.

Seriously though, could you imagine getting a cortisol injection? “Not feeling stressed enough? JAB! How about now!?”

Lol. Anyway.

Couple that with the fact that I had *just* woke up, a time when those cortisol levels typically spike in the body. Recipe for disaster.

So here’s what I’m getting at.

I’ve known about the cortisol-serotonin-creativity connection for a while now.

And I’ve been trying to sort of “hack” my cortisol levels so I can boost my creativity.

Here are 4 things I’ve been trying to do lately in pursuit of that goal:

1. Not check my emails when I first wake up, but instead immediately go to my laptop to start writing. I do this about half the time.

2. Not having coffee first thing in the morning (which can also boost cortisol). I’ve been trying to wait an hour before making a cup, but usually only make it to 30 minutes.

3. Exercise mid-day-ish. I guess this can help put your body into a more relaxed state (more serotonin) afterwards.

4. Make music. I recently got this device called a “Pocket Operator” from Teenage Engineering, which is a little electronic music device that looks like a calculator. Haha.

So far, on the days where I actually manage to do any of these things, I *do* notice a difference in the flow of ideas as I’m writing.

If you want to read that article you can do so here. It’s short but interesting.

Don’t like reading short but interesting posts? Then read my long but interesting landing page … and sign up for my daily emails.

David Patrick