Can imagination make you smarter?

If you’re like me, you do a whole bunch of things to become ‘smarter’. Do well in your studies, get a good job, keep taking courses, workshops to get ahead.

But did it ever occur to you that imagining could make you smarter? And that idea, however fantastic, might be supported by scientific research?

What a daring thought; imagine to become smarter. I love it.

Believe it or not, scientific research has demonstrated the benefits of ‘fantastical imagination’, not just for children, but also for you and me; the adults, the grown-ups.

“Fantasy engagement in children is associated with increased creative imagination, narrative ability and perspective taking,” wrote Coventry University assistant professor Valerie van Mulukom in an article in The Conversation citing a study by Eric Klinger*.

“For adults, it [fanastical imagination] may help improve memory consolidation, creative problem-solving and planning.”

But not all of us are regularly engaged in fantasy, some of us might seldom, if ever, go there. If that’s you, don’t worry. According to van Mulukom, it’s never too late.

“Research shows that children who were encouraged by their parents to participate in pretence play and role playing have higher levels of fantasy proneness later in life,” she wrote. “And it’s never too late to start.”

That’s good news especially since Imagination Session® is designed to encourage you to use your imagination, to make it part of your everyday, to exercise it to see where it might lead.

“There are many routes to boost creativity,” van Mulukom wrote, “with play, practice and experience being crucial. It may even make you smarter.”

I very much also like her focus on ‘play’. I’ve designed Imagination Session® to also encourage imagination for well-being. At these sessions, laughter is optional although usually irresistible.

* The Eric Klinger study is called ‘Goal Commitments and the content of thoughts and dreams: basic principles’.