Research-based techniques that show everyone how to expand creativity and increase productivity Harvard psychologist Shelley Carson?s provocative book, published in partnership with Harvard Health Publications, reveals why creativity isn't something only scientists, investors, artists, writers, and musicians enjoy; in fact, all of us use our creative brains every day at home, work and play. Each of us has the ability to increase our mental functioning and creativity by learning to move flexibly among several brain states. Explains seven brain states or "brainsets" and their functions as related to creativity, productivity, and innovation Provides quizzes, exercises, and self-tests to activate each of these seven brainsets to unlock our maximum creativity Your Creative Brain, called by critics a ?new classic? in the field of creativity, offers inspiring suggestions that can be applied in both one?s personal and professional life.

Whether you're writing a novel, painting with watercolors, composing a symphony, or baking peanut butter cookies, creativity plays a crucial role in achieving satisfaction and excellence. But, for many of us, accessing our creative core is difficult, if not impossible. Now, acclaimed film producer Don Hahn offers his own unorthodox, yet highly effective methods for reawakening the creative spirit.

"Building a second brain is getting things done for the digital age. It's a ... productivity method for consuming, synthesizing, and remembering the vast amount of information we take in, allowing us to become more effective and creative and harness the unprecedented amount of technology we have at our disposal"--

What do you do if you are lagging in the morning? You probably grab a cup of coffee for that extra boost of energy. Throughout the day, you are asked to be creative, to come up with new and better ideas. So what do you do when you need a creative jolt for your brain? Now you can turn to Caffeine for the Creative Mind. This collection of short, focused creative exercises is just the boost you need get your brain working. Inside, you'll find: Over 250 brain-stretching exercises. The exercises are brief, fun and are meant to evoke creative, thought-provoking responses. Get your brain moving by engaging in an exercise at the start of your day or stop and do one whenever you need a creative jolt. "I Tried It" testimonials. From illustrators to photographers to professors, real people give feedback on specific exercises they've tried. They also offer more suggestions for how the exercises can be used, changed or reworked to become even more useful. Interviews with prominent creative people. See how the people who are in charge of building and maintaining creative environments—studio heads, designers, shop owners, illustrators and animators—view the importance of creativity in their everyday lives. The only thing keeping you from reaching a new level of creative thought is inaction. With this stimulating book, you'll learn how to focus your creative attention in short, definable ways. Caffeine for the Creative Mind is your springboard for coming up with solutions that challenge you to alter your perspective—and begin generating ideas at the highest possible level!

We all experience unhappiness—but for some, sadness, stress, and negative thoughts can become a regular part of our lives, no matter how good things may be going. There is a place between basic sadness and diagnosed clinical depression called almost depression. Through engaging stories along with their professional experience, Jefferson B. Prince, M.D. and Shelly Carson, Ph.D. outline the symptoms of depression, the role that stress plays in depression, as well as many of the physical conditions that can mimic depression. Then, based on the latest clinical research, they offer step-by-step guidance for making positive changes to help alleviate and reverse almost depression. Through this insightful and informative book, you will: Assess whether your or a loved one’s unhappiness is a problem Gain insight on how to intervene with a struggling loved one Discover proven strategies to change unhealthy feelings of sadness Gage the physical, psychological, and social impact of your symptoms Determine when and how to get professional help when needed There are many pathways that can lead you out of almost depression toward brighter days ahead. Almost Depressed will show you the way.

How Creativity Happens In The Brain is about the brain mechanisms of creativity, how a grapefruit-sized heap of meat crackling with electricity manages to be so outrageously creative. It has a sharp focus: to stick exclusively to sound, mechanistic explanations and convey what we can, and cannot, say about how brains give rise to creative ideas.

Creative Brain Training is a course currently being taught to incarcerated participants in different prisons across Southern California. In 2011, the author, Diego Irigoyen, reached an all-time low. Having been put on academic probation, Irigoyen decided to change his life around and this book describes the techniques he used to go from poor scholastics to receiving multiple awards for his creative endeavors and educational research. Irigoyen has taught his Creative Brain Training course for over three years at a variety of levels ranging from middle school to college, and adults in prison, with a majority of that time teaching adults. This book will help you tap into your dormant potential in the opposite hemisphere of the brain. Creative Brain Training offers the pragmatic information to go from a lazy, timid, distracted, and bored state of mind to an energized, vibrant, attentive, and creative state of mind.

Shakespeare’s tragic plays, Mozart’s sublime symphonies, Einstein’s revolutionary theories—how did these geniuses create such magnificent and highly original works? Were their brains different from those of ordinary people? Using modern neuroscience together with first-person accounts of creative breakthroughs from artists and scientists such as Mozart, Henri Poincaré, and Neil Simon, The Creative Brain illuminates where extraordinary creativity comes from. Acclaimed brain scientist Nancy Andreasen proposes that, due to enriched connections between certain areas of the brain, geniuses are able to tap into the unconscious mind in ways that most of us can’t. She also explores the link between creativity and mental illness, and she shows how all of us can enhance our creative potential through mental exercises. Clearly and accessibly written, The Creative Brain is a fascinating investigation into the mystery of human genius.

20 different creative, art-therapy based ideas to power up your brain. These visual exercises have been successfully used in various educational and therapeutic settings. They are designed to stimulate creative expression, aid relaxation and improve memory. To start the thought process, use the drawings to create vibrant effects with coloured pencils. Now go with your creative flow and complete the following exercises. This could take the form of personal drawings, remembered events, favourite songs or poems. Anything you want. Used on their own, these exercises help the brain to think in different creative ways in response to your own unique experiences. Share your work with others, in pairs or groups, both work equally well. Working together helps you remember, aids interaction, discussion and positive feedback.

People who know how to harness their own creative juices can tap into their creativity and believe in the vast powers of their own ideas will become successful in virtually everything they do. Just as we learn other skills -- to read, to write, and to do math -- it is necessary to train ourselves to properly harness the power of our brains in order to think originally, brainstorm, and utilize that huge creative power. No matter what you do for a living or where your personal interests lie, you can become more successful and achieve greater heights if you're willing to "pop the top on your brain" and learn how to think more creatively as you confront life's trials and tribulations. Once you begin to discover how to generate incredible ideas, your true success will come from learning how to transform those ideas into reality. Brain Storm is your personal roadmap to a better understanding of creative thinking and the brainstorming process. With this book, as an individual or in a group setting, you can begin generating ideas with the power to change the world around you. Jason R. Rich will teach you the basics of how to produce many ideas, evaluate each of them, and pick the best one. You will learn directly from fascinating people who have already achieved incredible success as a direct result of their ability to think creatively. Within a short period of time, you too will be generating new ideas, building upon other people's ideas, using your brain to find creative solutions to problems and challenges, and coming up with ideas that will improve your personal, professional, and financial life. Book jacket.