Eureka comes from the ancient Greek heurēka and means I found it.  It was famously yelled by Archimedes when he discovered any object immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.

So what! I hear you say. Well, I’m not interested in the physics either. I’m interested in the fact he was having a bath, in a completely relaxed state when he realised. Not brainstorming with his clever friends, or slaving over books, or debating with a fellow scholar. Relaxing to such an extent he was falling asleep.

Since then there have been many examples of discovery, problem solving and creativity born out of deep relaxation, and the hinterland between wakefulness and sleep. The scientists have even given the state of mind a name: hypnagogia.  Mouthful isn’t it. 

I call an idea derived from hypnagogia a noddy because your head tends to nod if you’re sitting upright and have one. 

There are some great writers who have used hypnagogia to inspire noddies. Edgar Allan Poe wrote about the “fancies” that arise in the borderland between sleep and wakefulness, describing the state of mind as a gateway to imagination.

Mary Shelley said her idea for Frankenstein came from a sleep-onset dream and she was ‘in a half-conscious state’ when the idea struck her.

There are plenty of other examples.

Note to self: have more baths and mid-afternoon naps.

It would be great to hear from you if you’ve ever had a significant Eureka moment.

If you haven’t, perhaps it’s time to relax more.  Pets can help. A lot!