Why great ideas come when you aren’t trying
According to this study, it’s not just taking a break while working on a problem, but taking a break to do something else, as long as it’s something that lets your mind wander.
On a related note, this reminds me of an article I read while back on how the lure of a smartphone can cut down on creative downtime. It’s hard to zone out if you’re catching up on Facebook during your break.