Understand how leisure is fundamental to a researcher’s creative development

Periods of rest and attention to personal interests should be part of an academic’s routine

Subjective point of view of a person lying in a striped indoor hammock, wearing Nike sneakers with their feet crossed. To the right, a medium-sized caramel-colored dog looks directly at the camera. In the background, there is a window with a floral curtain and a potted plant on the wall.

If there is one element that must be present in a researcher’s routine, it is creativity. Many people assume that the scientific process consists only of rules and processes. In reality, creativity is essential for research to move forward.

In an interview with Science Arena, researcher Lis Leão from Einstein Hospital Israelita and a leading authority on studies related to nature, health, and well-being, emphasized the importance of this element. “Science and innovation go hand in hand,” she said.

Innovation requires a healthy dose of creativity. This quality is present throughout a researcher’s journey, from the moment a question about a topic is formulated to the search for an answer that no one else has yet discovered.

Read Lis Leão’s full interview with Science Arena below:

Going above and beyond to innovate

Innovation in the scientific field requires researchers to go beyond simply seeking answers. Leão explains that when someone is passionate about applied research, they must also consider how their work can be applied. This approach can lead to new ideas, such as developing a program or application, for example.

By adopting this mindset, researchers may also realize when it is necessary to reach out to other professionals and seek collaboration.

Seek moments of leisure to stimulate creativity

Moments of pause and rest are fundamental to creativity, as well as to the development of research projects. For Leão, wildlife photography is part of what she calls her “creative leisure,” and it has a direct impact on her intellectual work.

“Photography serves as a form of escape and helps relieve mental fatigue. After all, a researcher’s life revolves around constantly thinking about their project,” she noted. “The project tends to occupy your thoughts even outside working hours,” she added.

According to Leão, “Photography puts me in a mindset of ‘let’s see what happens.’ It gives me space for pause and respite.” These moments highlight the importance of researchers setting aside time for personal interests, which can also help prevent mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Another benefit of these periods of decompression is the emergence of new ideas. Leão explains that a scientist’s intellectual curiosity often stems from their own lived experiences. Drawing on these experiences, researchers can develop new approaches to solving specific problems. “I incorporate everything I like into my research,” she emphasized.

To read more about the importance of building and maintaining connections with researchers from other scientific fields, see the interview featured in this Science Arena article.

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