New research suggests there may be more to workplace creativity than brainstorming sessions and caffeine. A new study by online printing company instantprint reveals that stress, appreciation, and even astrology – could play a surprising role in unlocking great ideas at work.
According to the research, one in three UK workers cite heavy workloads and stress as the biggest barriers to thinking creatively, while employees who feel genuinely appreciated by their manager are significantly more likely to contribute new ideas. And in one of the most unexpected findings, the data shows that creative output peaks at different times of the month depending on an employee’s star sign.
The survey of 1,000 UK office workers found that:
- 35%Â say stress kills their creativity.
- 30%Â of workers with supportive managers are more likely to share new ideas.
- 25%Â of employees say their best ideas come from random, unpredictable moments.
When asked what helps spark ideas, UK workers highlighted a mix of appreciation, downtime and informal chat – with non-work-related conversations cited as more useful for creative thinking than formal meetings.
Top creativity boosters at work:
- Feeling appreciated – +30% more likely to contribute ideas
- Taking regular breaks – +15% increase in creative output
- Non-work chat and hobbies – +12% boost in idea generation
The data also found that “lightbulb” moments don’t follow a set routine. In fact, a quarter of respondents said their best ideas came from moments of complete unpredictability, such as dreaming, overhearing something random or spotting something unrelated.
Zodiac signs and the creativity curve
The study tracked creative activity by date and star sign, with Aries, Gemini and Leo leading the charge. Aries employees saw the most idea generation in the first two weeks of the month, while Leo hit peak performance mid-month and Pisces soared between the 10th and 15th.
Laura Mucklow, Head of instantprint, said: “There’s so much pressure on teams to be creative on command – but the reality is that the best ideas often come when you’re relaxed, appreciated or inspired by something totally unexpected. Whether it’s a manager saying thank you or a horoscope lining up just right, understanding what fuels your team’s thinking can lead to better results all round.”
The full report, Unlocking Creativity in 2025, is available to read now on the instantprint blog.
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