We all get stressed out. It's an inevitable part of life. Sometimes when we get stressed, we feel like our brain shuts down. I call this brain block. As a student and a writer, creativity is important to me. Whenever I'm feeling brain blocked, I look to these activities to reduce stress and increase my creativity.
1. Color
Coloring for adults has been gaining recent popularity, and can be a great way to reduce stress. The act of coloring relaxes the brain, and thinking about the colors and process will turn on your creativity. Many coloring books are now being made for adults. My personal favorite is Crayola's Pattern Play, which features fun patterns and pictures to color.
2. Dance
Getting up and moving around is a known way to reduce stress. Dancing feels good for the body and the soul. You don't need to be trained to enjoy dancing; just put on some music and start moving! Let your mind flow free, and create whatever movement comes to you. If you'd like a more structured experience, look into taking a Zumba class. If it's offered in your area, I highly recommend trying Qoya.
3. Go Walking
Going for a walk is one of the most beneficial activities for all-around health. Not only does it burn calories and boost metabolism, but it also reduces stress levels. Walking is a great time to let your mind flow free and think. Walking while listening to music can get your creativity flowing by engaging multiple senses at once.
4. Free Journal
Free journaling is the act of unformatted writing. Grab a pen and paper and write down whatever comes to mind. Don't worry about structure or format; just let the thoughts flow onto paper. Free journaling can free up space in your mind by getting all the ideas floating in your head down on paper. It reduces stress by letting go of what is taking up space in your mind, and increases creativity because it brings up ideas that might have been "hidden." I recommend doing this in the morning when you first get up, at night before you go to bed, or both!
5. Look Through Pictures
Looking through pictures can be inspirational and relaxing. Find a category of pictures that you like, and spend time scrolling through them. If you want, start a Tumblr or Pinterest board and save these pictures. Looking at images sparks feelings inside us that can relax the mind and spark creativity.
