You probably think the best time to tap into your creativity—to solve a problem or produce a work of art—is when you’re sharpest and most alert. But research says that’s not true. In fact, people are generally more creative when they’re tired (not exhausted, just tired). When you’re tired, your brain is not as vigilant about filtering out background information—thoughts and stimulus that it normally wouldn’t at- tend to. But creative work requires connecting different ideas together or thinking in new ways, which is more likely to happen when you’re tired. Creativity also re- quires imagination, which the thinking frontal lobe tends to suppress—except when it’s tired. Looking for new insights? Tackle them just before bedtime.