Can we get over Thinker’s Block?

Writer’s block is a real thing. I have had it. I have seen others get it and even others collapse under the pressure of its demoralising power. The words just do not come. A Muse is sought and normality is restored (or so Hollywood would have us believe)

But can the same be said about thinking? Do we suffer from Block? Absolutely! Speak to those in the advertising sector who are forced to sit in a glass box boardroom until they come up with a new campaign slogan or find alternate stories to swing a campaign gone wrong. The brain shuts down under stress, and creativity diminishes to a crawl until it wobbles and then just falls over dead on the pavement. Gone.

What can be done? Is there a Thinking Muse? Some may say Red Bull will give wings. Others say Coffee is the key to creativity, or a kale and lentil salad revives the brain. No, no one has ever said that about kale, but I thought I needed to add that to be inclusive.

The worst thing to do to your brain is to try to revive activity through chemical stimuli such as caffeine and energy drinks, or chocolate. What it needs is protein and hydration. In my experience, nuts and water are my superpower combo for awesome brain activity. In any typical day, your brain will use just over 40% of your body’s consumed energy. Even if you are going to the gym. The brain is an energy vacuum that will drain as much as it needs from the available resources. It will consume oxygen and protein from the blood at an alarming rate during high activity. So, in order to keep it going, we need to feed it. Nuts and water are good as constant snacks. Consult a dietitian for a more detailed dietary programme.

Another way to kick-start your brain is to get it to do something it has never done before, or to change the way you have always done something to wake up the automation operation. Here are some random ideas to use within the next week if you find yourself looking for some new brain jump start:

Sit on the toilet backwards, facing the wall – It is actually quite comfortable, and if you get tired, you can rest your head on the cistern or even balance your phone against the wall and catch up on your socials.

Plan and drive to your next destination without turning right. It is possible in most cases and is a fun way to confuse your passengers and run up your fuel bill.

Swap hands for ordinary tasks. Try using different hands for all your bathroom activities, or while cooking and eating. Trust me, this will get your brain in the WTF mode very fast.

Once your brain is jolted into a new way of thinking, just add water and nuts, and you should be on your way to new ideas very soon.

**NOTE: If you are in any way allergic to nuts, please find a substitute, don’t be nuts and eat them if you can’t. But water is still good.