Coping with writer's block

The first thing that happens when I attempt to start work on an assignment or project is that my brain has a minor freeze as to how to go about writing it.  Because of this I've had to come up with several techniques in order to combat writer's block.

1) Ease off the coffee.  Contrary to common belief, caffeine does not help you get work done.  Caffeine is a  stimulant.  To a degree it will make you brain work faster, however after a certain point it will actually over-stimulate you.  This will mean you will be easily distracted from your task and fidget/pace incessantly.  This is not a frame of mind in which anyone can work.  This is why it is important to limit you caffeine intake.

2)  Fruits, vegetables and seafood.  It is incredibly important o have a healthy diet.  A good diet will impact on your overall health.  Better health will mean that you are better able to cope with long periods of study as you will be able to work longer with reduced exhaustion.  Fish and vegetables contain several nutrients that are vital to the production of chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. This will improve concentration and ability to use and retain information.

3) Water.  Drinking plenty of water has many health benefits.  I have devoted an entire article to this earlier.  Water will improve concentration and will support the brain function.  Goes without saying that this is incredibly important.

4)  Exercise.  It is important to have a health amount of exercise in your lifestyle.  It also will stimulate your ability to think by increasing blood flow to the brain and encouraging the production of endorphins - neurochemicals important to brain function and reduction of stress.

If making these changes to your lifestyle doesn't help  there are a few only solutions that might work.

5) Meditation.  Clearing you mind and relaxing can sometimes remove the anxiety/stress that is stopping you from getting the words out that you need.  Try some simple breathing exercises - get yourself into a comfortable position and focus on counting your breaths.  Just breath.  Alternatively, you can try visualisation exercises; pick a favourite scene and slowly build up details until you have the whole picture in your mind.  Imagine yourself walking around the scene picking up objects and sensing them - touch smell ect.  This will relax your body will building up your ability to focus.

6) Free writing.  Open a notepad or word document and start writing.  It doesn't matter what you write. In fact don't focus on what you are writing.  Just let the words flow out.  At some point, you will be hit by inspiration and and begin to write on the topic you were blocked on in the first place.

7)  Structured questions.  If you already have a good idea of what you want to say but are having trouble getting this down on paper, begin asking yourself structured questions.  Eg  I need to introduce an an article for my assignment.  I will ask myself questions like 'what is the article?', 'Who was it written by?', 'When was it written?', 'What is it about?', 'What do I need to do with it?' ect. This can be adapted for writing scenes for novels.  Ask yourselves questions like 'What is going on in the scene?', 'Where is it set?', 'Who is in this scene?', 'How are the dressed?' ect.  After you have devised and answered these question you will have enough information to write this into a paragraph/chapter.

Water, it's good for you.

Many people I know detest the taste of water, preferring instead to drink juices, cordials, teas or coffee.  Water is a vital part of our health and we simply cannot get the water we need from these sources.  Even herbal teas, while more beneficial the black tea, coffee or juices, are not as hydrating as water.  Here are some good reasons to drink water.

1) Dehydration can have serious side effects.  Mild dehydration causes tiredness, migraines, dry mouth, dry eyes, muscular cramps, heart palpitations, impaired kidney function and light-headedness.  Serious dehydration (although this is unlikely to occur in normal situations) cause the bodily functions to slowly shut down eventually cause a coma and then death.

2)  Our body is composed mostly of water.  This means water is integral to most bodily functions.  Water is important to the following:

• Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
• Moisturizes the air in lungs
• Helps with metabolism
• Protects our vital organ
• Helps our organs to absorb nutrients better
• Regulates body temperature
• Detoxifies
• Protects and moisturizes our joints

This is not a complete list, however, is shows how important water is.

3)  Top 11 health benefits.

1. Lose weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger, it’s an effective appetite suppressant so you’ll eat less. Plus, water has zero calories. Here are the further details on how to achieve fat loss by drinking water.
2. Natural Remedy for Headache: Helps to relieve headache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasons contribute to headache, dehydration is the common one.
3. Look Younger with Healthier Skin: You’ll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin and increases skin elasticity.
4. Better Productivity at Work: Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better, be more alert and more concentrated.
5. Better Exercise: Drinking water regulates your body temperature. That means you’ll feel more energetic when doing exercises. Water also helps to fuel your muscle.
6. Helps in Digestion and Constipation: Drinking water raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiber and water goes hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowel movement.
7. Less Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’ll less likely get cramps and sprains.
8. Less Likely to Get Sick and Feel Healthy: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water adds with lemon is used for ailments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis etc. In another words one of the benefits of drinking water is that it can improve your immune system. Follow this link for further information on how lemon water can improve your health.
9. Relieves Fatigue: Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If your body lacks water, your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you.
10. Good Mood: Your body feels very good and that’s why you feel happy.
11. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining.

I hope this article shows just how important water is.

Information courtesy of http://www.mangosteen-natural-remedies.com/benefits-of-drinking-water.html