Poetic breaks drive greater creativity

New research reveals that reading a poem in a break between tasks can boost associative creative thinking.

A new study, published in Creativity Research Journal, conducted by Goldsmiths PhD student Soma Chaudhuri and Professor Joydeep Bhattacharya from the Department of Psychology investigates the cognitive impact of reading poetry on creative thought, revealing how it can prime the mind for free-flowing creative associations.  

The study explored whether reading poetry during a break, also known as incubation, can enhance creative thinking. A total of 153 participants completed creative tasks both before and after reading ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling, a past winner of the UK’s favourite poem. Researchers selected this poem through a pilot study for its ability to evoke self-reflection. Notably, self-reflection is linked to a brain network involved in creative cognition. Participants were divided into three groups: one group read the poem, another group read and rated the poem, and a third group read a non-poetic text of similar length.  

The findings reveal that just reading a poem during a break can enhance free-flowing associative thought, the ability to fluidly connect ideas. However, poetry did not significantly improve the generation of entirely new ideas.  

 “When people read poetry that engages the mind while also allowing it to wander, it allows some kind of mental flexibility,” said Professor Bhattacharya. “It frees us from our present confined spaces and allows imagination to flow. This could be ideal for tasks that require fluid association between thoughts."  

Another striking finding was that participants who experienced higher levels of mind-wandering during poetry reading showed the biggest benefits in associative creativity. This challenges the conventional wisdom that daydreaming is always counter-productive. “This suggests that taking a break with a poem that stimulates some mind-wandering might actually help overcome creative blocks,” said Soma Chaudhuri, PhD student.  

Professor Bhattacharya suggests that the findings might have some implications in settings such as schools or the workplace. He explained, “Poetry reading could be used in schools during breaks to improve flexible thinking, particularly in subjects requiring deep conceptual connections. Or in workplaces, poetry can be incorporated into break periods that may enhance creative problem solving by encouraging free association.” 

He added, “In an age where distraction is abundant and deep thinking is becoming scarce, this study suggests that poetry offers more than just aesthetic pleasure – it can be a cognitive tool for unlocking creative thinking. Next time you hit a mental block, skip the mindless scrolling – try a poem instead.”