If you’re trying to solve a creative problem—or any problem—there’s no better method than to sleep on it. Whether it’s a nap or a night’s sleep, your brain thinks while it sleeps when it isn’t dreaming and this sleep thinking often produces some of our best imaginative efforts.

Say that you’re a painter with a technical problem. Before you go to sleep, give yourself a sleep thinking prompt like, “I wonder what’s the best way to paint a blazing sun?” or “How can I finish my current painting without overdoing it and ruining it?” Sleep on the question, and when you wake up repeat the question. As likely as not you’ll have your answer!

Remember to use your brain’s power to think while it sleeps to unravel your knottiest creative questions.