I’ve found “Incubation” as a helpful way to describe this. The key is valuing the work of unconscious mental processes to make connections and perform pattern recognition.

Here’s a nice framework: https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/08/28/the-art-of-thought-graham-wallas-stages/

See also: http://www.creativeblockandflow.com/incubation-important-for-new-ideas/