It happens to all of us. Just the other day you were working away, putting wonderful thoughts to paper or filling up the sketchbook and then, all of a sudden, it’s all gone. You’re sitting there with barely a thought in your head and no idea where to go next.
These creative blocks are no laughing matter, this is your livelihood we’re talking about, and something needs to be put out there or you won’t eat. Let’s have a look at several different ways in which we can get the brain started again and producing good ideas.
1. Go For A Walk
Yes, it can be that simple; just go for a walk. Getting your blood flowing by moving your body is always a good idea and fresh air never hurt anyone either. If you live in the city you should go to a nearby park and relax for a bit; if you live in the country, you can go look on the other side of a nearby hill.
No matter where you end up going, you’ll be able to recharge and, who knows, maybe you’ll even see something happen on the way that gets your creative cylinders firing again.
2. Workout
An extension of the above advice, just more intense. Getting the blood pumping at a serious rate is a great way to stop your thinking on a current problem and properly wake up your brain.
You can also sweat out the last vestiges of sleep (or hangover) from your system and revitalize your body. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle anything.
3. Eat
Often enough creative blocks can be blamed on insufficient or unhealthy food. Sure you’re getting a lot done during that all-nighter surrounded by fast-food wrappers, but your body is paying the price the next day.
Try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of superfoods that feed your brain as well as your body. A creative person’s brain works very hard indeed, make sure you fuel it enough for all the heavy lifting it’s doing. If you’re between meals, consider eating a (healthy) snack. The boost in energy from that might be just what you need.
4. Coffee
Speaking of boosts, coffee is great stuff. Proven to boost energy levels and, correspondingly, creativity, it is the writer and illustrator’s very first choice when needing that little kick. The added concentration will help you focus on the task at hand just that little bit better, making sure that whatever you produce will have all the details in the right place.
Just make sure you don’t overindulge; too much coffee has all kinds of unpleasant side effects, most notably jitters and sleeplessness.
5. Sleep
Insomnia is the enemy, and none of the above is any good if you’re exhausted. Make sure you sleep well and enough, and make it a priority. If your house is too light to sleep in, make it darker; if it’s too dark, buy a nightlight. Get earplugs if your neighbor stays up all hours, and make sure you don’t drink coffee before bed. If you haven’t slept enough, plan a nap into your day to catch up.
You’re not worth anything to the work you’re doing without sleep. If you are having persistent trouble sleeping, consider going to your doctor to discuss the problem, as sleeplessness has been linked to several conditions that can shorten your life in the long-term, alongside its annoying short-term effects.
So, stop browsing the Internet (tip six), go for a walk and have some lunch, take a nap after and finish up with a cup of coffee. Then, sit down, get some work done, and go to bed. Good luck!
