Every writer goes through it. Times when you suffer from writer’s block, or you go off on a tangent, or days when your brain just refuses to focus on writing your book! The next time it happens to you, try one of these five hacks that can get your brain back to work.
Of course, everyone works best in different environments or under different circumstances, so all of these ideas might not work for you. But if even one does, you’ll have a way to get your mind back on track quickly and painlessly.
Breathe and Meditate
Sometimes the inability to think clearly is just a lack of oxygen. Breathing is an unconscious bodily function, and when we’re stressed, we take shallow breaths, or hunch over the computer, which reduces blood and oxygen flow to the body.
People don’t always breathe deeply enough, or in the best way, to deliver enough oxygen to the mind to keep it alert without intrusive or sluggish thoughts.
Meditation typically is breath-focused, and you can sit with good posture in your chair, close your eyes, breathe in through your nose, slowly to a count of four, hold your breath for another four counts, and then release it through your mouth for a four-count –do it several times, slowly and mindfully.
Stretch and Move
If you’ve been hunched over your desk pounding on your keyboard, you’ve probably been restricting your muscles from getting enough oxygen. The best thing to do is try to get up at least and sit back down. But if you have time, it’s even better to go for a fast ten-or-fifteen minute walk before going back to work with more focus.
Create a Checklist
If you can’t figure out where to start on a project and your brain feels like someone else has control over the remote, stop what you’re doing and create a plan. One good idea is a checklist of tasks that need to be worked on in the order they should be done.
Another thing to do is to create mini-milestones that can be accomplished in one day. This gives you a double fix of success and will help keep you motivated, as well as being able to see the real progress you’re making.
For example, decide how many words you want to write each day, and then do your best to meet that. So let’s say you decide to commit to writing 500 words a day. You’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment every day when you achieve your goal, and you’ll be 500 words closer to finishing your book!
Enjoy a Glass of Water and a Healthy Snack
If your blood sugar is low and you’re also dehydrated, it can cause you to have racing or fuzzy thoughts.
Your body needs fuel and water, and if you’re not doing right by it, it’s going to refuse to do what you want until you fix the problem! So if you’ve not eaten in a while, grab an apple or an orange, some string cheese, and a big glass of water. Don’t multitask. Take a break away from your desk, if you have the space and the weather’s cooperating, go outside and take the time to enjoy eating.
Go or Look Outdoors
Going outside in nature for a couple of minutes, even if all you have time to do is walk around the building or check the mail, will give you a new perspective and help your brain reset. If going outside isn’t possible and you have a window, go stand in front of it and gaze out at whatever nature you can see, even if it’s just the sky.
Trying just one of these ideas will not take more than 20 minutes away from your desk and working on your book. Everyone deserves and needs to take breaks during the day. The best way to keep your mind in the right zone when you’re writing is to remember how the brain functions and give it a break at least every 60 minutes, even if all you have time to do is stand up, stretch, breathe in and out deeply, and sit back down. I recommend at least 10 to 15 minutes.