
If you’re into writing, chances are you’ve at one point or another reached the end of your thinking process. After minutes or hours of weaving thoughts into words, your literary journey at times comes to an abrupt stop after running into a wall. It’s tough having to deal with this because it disables you. In case writing is your profession and not just a hobby to pass the time, the writer’s block becomes an impediment to efficiency.
Here are a couple of suggestions of mine, when faced with this hideous beast, you simply get up off your chair and do a variety of things like:
1.) Eat.
Yes, eat. Grab a bite. A bit of added nourishment, particularly a small carbohydrate dose can boost brain performance and get your mind set back in writing gear. A word of caution however, over gorging can lead to drowsiness, and large sugar intake will lead to a sugar crash. That’s pretty much worse than writer’s block
2.)Take a walk
After hours on end of sitting in front of a computer monitor, trying desperately to get your brain’s cogs to get back in motion it’s sometimes a good idea to step outside and take a short walk. If you’re situated near a park or a bay area, you should probably get off your ass and take a walk. While you might scoff at the idea immediately tagging it as a time waster, you’d be wrong. A bit of fresh air and a change of scenery can work wonders for your mind. Who knows you might find a bit of inspiration while taking that break.
3.) Nap
There is probably no better way to get out of a rut than a power nap! Yes, sleep may seem counter-intuitive to some, (I don’t know why really) it’s a great way to recharge.Rested minds are known to be able to work faster and more effectively than those that are fatigued. If working on a tight schedule, a 7-15 minute nap will work wonders. But if really worn-out it’s better to take a couple of hours off with the sandman.
4. Drink a Beer
Yes, you read that right. And while most workplaces frown upon this, downing one bottle of beer can enhance creativity, which is great for those times when you feel like you’re out of juice. Studies published in Consciousness and Cognition have indicated that buzzed individual is able to answer word puzzles faster than someone sober. I’m sure you’ve got a pal who becomes a Socrates the moment he or she downs enough alcohol (or maybe you’re the inebriated Socrates, no worries, no judgment here). So the next time you’re caught in a slump, try to down a bottle, or two and unleash that pent up creativity. Just be sure to proofread your work when you’re sober.
5.) Smoke a CigIt’s a cliche but smoking has been a go-to solution for people seeking to clear their heads, whether for the purpose of writing or just trying to let of some steam (or in this case smoke). While it’s really not something I’d recommend (primarily because smoking in any public place in my hometown nets you a hefty fine) also because of the glaring health detriments, if you do smoke, you might want to use it as a tool to relieve yourself of writer’s block.
These are just some of the things I’d recommend to cure writer’s block, really it depends on you how you want to do it.