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Time of India

Not IQ, but this key trait separates many highly intelligent people like Bill Gates from the rest

Research suggests that solitude and allowing the mind to wander are crucial for a better life, boosting creativity and strengthening cognitive abilities. Neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli's work emphasizes the importance of alone time for forging new connections in the brain. Examples like Bill Gates' "Think Week" and Leonardo da Vinci's thoughtful process highlight the benefits of solitude for innovation and problem-solving. The world is full of people giving advice about making the most of the time that we have in our hands and working really hard. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Ways to harness solitude to boost brain power Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The world is full of people giving advice about making the most of the time that we have in our hands and working hard. But research conducted recently has claimed that all this advice might be wrong, and what is important is to let the brain take rest and also let your mind wander, which can eventually contribute to a better to CNBC, research conducted by Joseph Jebelli, who holds a PhD in neuroscience from University College London and has worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Washington, has given results that are nothing less than also revealed that he began exploring the neuroscience of alone time and rest, and he was guided by his research as a neuroscientist and driven by his family's toxic relationship with work. He emphasised that solitude can boost creativity by offering the necessary space for ideas to it's writing, playing piano, painting, gardening, praying, or meditating, your brain often needs alone time to do these activities well. According to CNBC, Jebelli further explained that in the moments of isolation, the default network is busy forging new synaptic connections, strengthening skills and the ability to absorb new information, and nurturing creativity more back the claims that he made through his research, the neuroscientist cited the example of Microsoft founder Bill Gates . In Microsoft's early days, the billionaire philanthropist would retreat to a cabin twice a year for a week, bringing only a stack of books for called this his 'Think Week'—a time for reflection, learning, and uninterrupted thought. No outside visitors were allowed—not even family or employees. According to The Wall Street Journal, one of these weeks led to the launch of Internet Explorer in also comes to the rescue when you feel stuck. Leonardo da Vinci was known for being deeply thoughtful—he would reportedly stare at The Last Supper for hours before adding a single brushstroke and then walk a general rule, the more time you spend alone, especially when you actually want to, the better it is for your a solo trip or retreat can look like a huge task at first, with worries about loneliness or boredom creeping in. But taking a break from your daily routine and jumping into a new environment can be incredibly freeing. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, sparks your senses in fresh ways, and sets the stage for self-reflection and with just 10 minutes of alone time each day. Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed, and use that time to simply sit and breathe. This simple habit helps your brain relax and starts up the default you socialize, make sure it's genuine and high-quality. A lot of us end up spending time with people we shouldn't—bad friends, frenemies, or toxic relatives, just out of obligation. This can raise cortisol, the stress hormone, which messes with your brain's social wiring and hurts the quality relationships you some of your alone time reflecting on your experiences and feelings. You can meditate on your thoughts or jot them down. Taking time to reflect helps you process emotions and understand yourself activities meant for solo time that also boost mindfulness, like walking, journaling, or practicing yoga. These not only give you the perks of solitude, but also help ground you in the present and relax your mind.