Why the Best Ideas Come at Night

Ever lie awake at night with a million thoughts running through your head? I'm sure you have. In fact, this very article was born out of one of those restless, thoughtful nights.

I don't know about you, but my best ideas definitely come at night. Either I'll have a great idea or I'll remember something I need to do, and I'll have to grab my phone and set a reminder. Over time, I wondered why. Why can't I get these ideas during the day? So, I have decided to conduct some research.

According to scientists, it all comes down to the brain. Dana Leventhal wrote, “The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with the ability to concentrate, begins to falter as sleep drive increases at the end of the day. For some, this clears the way for more flexible thinking—and potentially, creativity.” It all comes down to your brainwaves. Beta waves keep us focused and on task all day, but as night approaches, Alpha and Theta waves take over. These are highly innovative states where your mind wanders and is at its most creative. 

The absence of distractions and a calm environment can also put you in an autopilot-like state. With this lack of stimulation, you create a healthy form of boredom. Boredom can be a powerful trigger for creativity. Research shows that when our minds wander, our brains generate more original ideas. However, boredom has become increasingly rare. Instead of letting our thoughts drift, we often turn to our smartphones to fill any idle moments. Whether we're waiting for someone or have a few spare minutes before a meeting, we instinctively reach for our devices and start scrolling. 

I've asked some students their opinions on whether their best ideas come at night and why. Sophomore Haley Zylich says,  “Yes, because some of your ideas can come from the daytime and they come back to you at night.”

On the other hand, Sophomore Ella Minor states, “I don't think so, I’m so tired at the end of the day, I feel like I can't think clearly.” Once I showed them the research, this is what they had to say: “I think it's really interesting, I didn't know boredom could be a powerful trigger for creativity,” said Zylich. “It's weird to think boredom has gotten so rare and how we just turn to our phones nowadays,” said Minor.

So there you have it, folks, your best ideas DO come at night. Whether you’re a night owl or not, science highlights that embracing the quiet moments right before bed can spark something we all need: creativity.