I once read, "A creative life is a healthy life."
It's an interesting statement. How can so many lives be classified into one generalization? It has been said that we all are born with creativity, but many of us lose sight of this as we get old older. For some, being a creative and truly living life as such comes naturally. For others, it is something that comes with practice, belief, and hard work. On the outside looking in, a creative life may seem to be more chaotic than healthy, but to each his own.
As a creative, I don't necessarily feel as though I'm always living my best creative life, but I'm constantly working on it. Sure, I'm creative when it comes to certain things pertaining to art, music, or writing but I feel like I'm lacking when it comes to truly letting my creativity flow freely. For now, I'll stick with my ability to express myself through clever wordplay, lighting a few candles, and vibing to Erykah Badu. (She's as creative as creative gets, and she speaks to my soul.)
Those self-care practices are amazing ways to fuel the spirit and alleviate any mental blocks, but undoubtedly the most effective way to free your mind is through reading. As creative, you cannot create if you do not read. Not only is reading fundamental and therapeutic, it takes your mind to unparalleled heights.
Whether you're a creative or simply in need of a good read, below are six books that promise to challenge you, aid in increased productivity, as well as overall personal development.
1.'Twenties Unscripted' by Tyece Wilkins
This book is a collection of short essays in which the author, Tyece Wilkins, digs deep and brings accountability to the forefront. This is a clever and witty look into the author's journey from being a woman to finding her voice as a writer, and everything in between. It proves to be a refreshing read and evokes deep thinking.
2.'The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl' by Issa Rae
Urban Outfitters
This is a great book for the everyday introvert. Learn to find laughter, beauty, and appreciation for your awkwardness through this collection of essays. I found this to be humorously entertaining, and quite relatable. You'll be sure to find your own path as an introverted black woman in today's society with just one read.
3.'Year of Yes' by Shonda Rhimes
Let's face it. Many of us struggle with being our own authentic self. This is something author Shonda Rhimes was all too familiar with. In this amazing book, Rhimes shares how she decided to let go of uncertainty and self-doubt in exchange of truly saying "yes" to living her best life. She stopped letting fear and apprehension get the best of her, and once she decided to say "yes" to everything from health to happiness, the possibilities were endless.
4.'Confidence Your Secret Weapon: A Guide to Building Confidence' by Ashley Korin McLean
Whether you're a business owner or simply soul-searching, this book will certainly guide you towards building self-confidence and goal-setting. Through the use of exercises and truly thought-provoking material, you'll be able to incorporate the content into your life on a daily basis.
5.'Don’t Dumb Down Your Greatness: A Young Entrepreneur’s Guide to Thinking & Being Great' by Anthony Frasier
It's amazing what can happen when you alter your mindset. A positive mindset truly does result in a positive life, even for today's aspiring entrepreneur. This book is actually one that I've read more than once as I truly feel it spoke volumes. This is tailored for young entrepreneurs of color as the author felt that void wasn't being filled. The author, Anthony Frasier, provides personal stories and lessons discussing creativity, self-doubt, and success, in addition to a wide array of other topics to encourage greatness.
6.'You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life' by Jen Sincero
Today's a great day to start living an awesome life and it starts with this book. This was suggested to me by more than a few amazing black creatives in my life and for good reason. Essentially, we all want to live our best life, but self-doubt can hinder us from so much. You are truly the only one standing in the way of you, and this book will serve as a reminder. You Are a Badass causes you to pinpoint the thoughts and actions that keep you from being the best you and in a very relatable way.
Featured image by Getty Images
- 37 Books Every Creative Person Should Be Reading ›
- These 7 Books Are Necessary Reading for All Creatives ›
- 76 Best Business Books for Entrepreneurs, Creatives ... ›
- 5 Books All Creative Types Should Read Right Now | Inc.com ›
- 10 essential books for aspiring and established illustrators | Creative ... ›
- 30 books every graphic designer should read | Creative Bloq ›
- 10 great books for artists and makers launching a creative business ... ›
- 40 Books To Unlock Your Creativity And Get You Started On Your ... ›
RELATED
Again, the answer never changes because, if there is one thing that Shellie Reneé Warren is gonna get, it’s 6-8 (sometimes nine) hours of sleep. However, since my chronotype (check out “Ever Wonder What Personality Traits Make Someone A 'Morning Person'?”) means that I like/prefer to write in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes I will sleep for the night for five hours and take a nap in the day. And y’all, that is just fine with me because I am well aware of the fact that napping does everything from give me more energy, heighten my alertness and even make me more creative to decrease stress levels, strengthen immunity, and reduce my chances of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.
My problem is I will oftentimes go “overboard” with my daytime zzz’s. What I mean by that is, in order to get the most out of a nap, they say thatyou shouldn’t sleep for longer than 25 minutes or so; otherwise, you could wake up feeling sluggish (I don’t but…). Also, it can make resting, soundly, at night a bit of a struggle.
So, what are you saying, Shellie? We should get quickies in? Yeah. And it’s funny that the word “quickie” would come up because just like a sex quickie can do wonders for you (and it can — check out “12 Super Solid Reasons To Have A Quickie Every Single Day”), it’s a full-circle moment when I say that something that can improve the quality of your sex life is to have a power nap (a nap that lasts between 10-30 minutes).
Wanna know how the two things correlate? Honestly, it’s no secret that sleep and sex work together to optimize both (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”). Today, though, we’re going to tap into how a nap, specifically, can have you partaking in some of the best sex that you’ve experienced in a minute. I’ll explain.
Naps Reduce Stress
GiphyIf you’re feeling super stressed out right now, you are not alone. There is plenty of data out here that says that most of us are stressed for at least a couple of reasons at a time — and that can impact your sexual health on a few levels. For one thing, it can bring about feelings of depression and/or anxiety. Stress can also throw your hormone levels off (including your cycle) which can weaken your libido. Stress can make you want to put distance between you and your partner (yes, literally).
Stress can also make it challenging to get aroused or to have an orgasm. And just what can help to decrease stress? Taking a nap. Since sleep has a way of helping you to “get off of the clock” and relax a bit, that can lower your stress levels and “reset” your body so that you are calmer — and that, in turn, can do wonders for your sex drive and ultimately your sex life.
Naps Improve Your Mood
GiphyThere is one person in my life, and fairly 80 percent of the time, she’s in a super good mood. Oh, but let that girl go without sleep, and…who is this woman? LOL. There’s research behind why this happens. When a person is sleep-deprived, it messes with their brain chemicals, and that can amplify emotions like anger, restlessness and sadness. In fact, one study revealed that people who had their sleep disrupted throughout the night, they ended up having their positive outlook on life reduced by about 30 percent.
And geeze, who wants to have sex when they’re not feeling very good? Anyway, since serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate your moods, your sleep patterns, and your libido and sleep is what helps to keep it in balance — by taking a nap, not only can it help you to feel better, it can also increase your desire for sex (it can also build up your endurance which is also…sexually beneficial).
Naps Increase Your Focus and Concentration
GiphySomething that some of my clients bring up is how, when it comes to having sex, sometimes the flesh is willing while the spirit is weak because, although the desire for intimacy is there, so much is going on that they aren’t able to get still enough to focus on experiencing copulation with their partner. This also tracks because, when you don’t have enough rest, your brain finds itself not working in harmony and that can make it hard to do everything from approaching life with a sense of flexibility to making necessary decisions.
Certain data also reveal that a lack of rest can cause you to have a really poor attention span and not process things in context (the more you know). So, if you really want to get some yet it’s hard for you to focus long enough to make it happen, ask your bae to lie down with you and take a nap. Between the sleep and the snuggling (check out “Fall's Coming: 8 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Cuddling”) — you may wake up with your mind and body totally on the same page. #wink
Naps Can Make You Feel Better About Your Body
GiphyEven if, overall, you feel really good about your body, I think that we all have moments when we feel less attractive than others — and who wants to have sex when they don’t really feel…very sexy? Well, something else that sleep, in general, can do is increase your confidence in your body.
For one thing, if you want to lose a few pounds, sleep can actually make that happen by helping your body metabolize the glucose (sugar) that’s in it so that you can better manage your appetite. Other studies go on to share that since sleep deprivation can impact one’s mental health and emotional stability in a negative way, of course, getting enough rest would increase body positivity.
Shoot, science even goes so far as to say that insomnia can cause people to have an elevated level of dissatisfaction when it comes to their body image. Don’t take their word for it, though. Look in the mirror before a nap. Then look in a mirror after waking up from me. Do you feel better? I’d be surprised if you don’t.
Makes Your Brain Bigger…Which Could Make Your Orgasms Better
GiphyI saved the best for last by design. Now if you’re wondering how in the world a nap can improve (and possibly increase) your orgasms — oh, there is a method to the madness…trust. For starters, the saying that your biggest sex organ is your brain? That isn’t a myth. Long story less long, the brain is what houses your central nervous system and that is what controls how men and women sexually function (yes, literally).
And since the brain also releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin during sex and brain activity significantly increases in women during sexual activity (especially right before she orgasms) — well, would it trip you out to know that when you take a nap, your brain actually expands? A bigger brain (that’s healthy) can potentially intensify your sexual experiences (and your climaxes) — and who doesn’t want that to go down?
____
Like I said earlier, I never have to be convinced to get a nap in. However, if your sex life has been a bit stagnant lately, you’ve been feeling a little sluggish and you’re not sure what to do — I’m hoping that a nap can get you right.
There’s enough science to prove that it can. All you need to do is give it a shot.
Now where’s your pillow and sleep mask, chile?
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by FG Trade/Getty Images