What do you do if stress is hindering your creative thinking?

The thought that creativity does not happen in stressful times is an illusion. To convince yourself of the validity of stress equals no creativity is to delude yourself. The only difference is that your creativity will be in a different form. Your stress will drive creativity if you allow it to. Embrace the stress for the relatively short time it occurs and let its energy course through you and pump out your creative product. In a stressful time don’t second guess yourself, just let it come quickly. In sum, stress and creativity are as much partners as no stress and creativity. It is possible to be taught how to be creative in a stressful time.

One of the biggest myths that is being perpetuated in everyday conversations is that stress comes from the external circumstances that seem to give rise to it - all these can do is trigger it, while the root cause of stress is internal and mental: it is a reaction to our cognitive appraisals of the circumstances we find ourselves stressed about. In most cases, if we investigate these appraisals we will find self-limiting beliefs, self-doubt, a lack of self-confidence, a lack of clarity of how to tackle the situation. Rather than rushing to find so-called stress management tools and be content with purely "managing" our stress, it would be most fruitful to investigate and tackle the root cause of our experience of stress.

Yes identifying what is the root of the stress is key. If it is something that you can’t change at the moment (like a job), you take care of yourself. How can I make the day better? What do I have control of? Do I take my breaks? Have I set good boundaries? Then after work what are the ways I reward myself for job well done? How do you drop that energy and let myself relax and just be?

If your creativity is being blocked by stress then find a way to open your mind. Consider what has worked for you in the past. Maybe it's a long walk on the beach, wine with friends, or a massage. Be openminded and free yourself from judgement. Having these thoughts only steals away your precious energy and can cloud your creativity. Flexible body = Flexible mind

Too often people make important choices about their daily lives with only short-term consideration. Stress can come in many forms, so evaluate HOW YOU RESPOND in making decisions about work environment, food, exercise, social interactions, etc. Once you have identified the things your body responds well to, it's now possible to control the stress level by adapting your life to more positive outcomes.

I can only advice everybody to practice breathing when there is no stress. It gets much easier to come back to this practice in stressful situations if you are used to it in advance. Very basic and calming breathing is from my experience the coherent breathing which basicly is inhaling and exhaling about 6 seconds continuously until you feel better as the vagus nerve has done it's job then.

I particularly remember a time when I was under pressure to write an article for a magazine and I was feeling uninspired and could not even come up with a topic let alone write the thing. I sat down for 11 minutes and did a Kundalini meditation that I have practiced many times. It is aptly titled "when you don't know what to do" and uses breathwork and mudra to balance the brain. After the meditation I got up, went to my laptop and wrote a draft for the article and it truly flowed onto the screen. I can honestly say that this is not the first time that this has happened. I am so grateful for my practice, it has helped me navigate many challenges.

According to the yogic literatures breath has a great impact on our mood emotions or even behaviorism. When we are angry, anxious, sad, etc. the first changes is the breath. Being conscious about breath and practicing deep / conscious breathing can help us control our stress levels to a great extend, if this becomes our daily practice. Undoubtedly being mindful and identifying about our likes and dislikes, our stressors, and acting on it timely can prevent stress anxity and even depression on a longer run.

One thing that I have found helpful in so many people's cases is to do breathing exercises and then close your eyes and introspect. And then stay focused on your breathing and just question yourself if the breathing stopped and you are dead that very moment will the situation you are so stressed about would matter?

Un metodo excelente para manejar el estrés es aplicar Mindfulness. La atencion plena a la situacion que se este viviendo es decir al aqui y al ahora, de manera amable con respiración consciente y sin darle rienda suelta a juicios, filtros o creencias, permite no solo disfrutar el momento y el evento, sino que proporciona salud, relajación y satisfacción. La creatividad es una tarea continua del dia a dia, que requiere de esa atención plena para dise?ar y poner en marcha metas y sue?os.

In my experience when Stress go high, feel anxiety, fatigue & emotionally unstable then 1) Start some physical activities 2) Go outside for walk 3) Listen music which you loge most specially dancing songs 4) Drink some Coconut Virgin Oil for fix gut 5) Drink Viecafe which provide me immediate energy. 6) Most important part is gut so always make healthy metabolism. Thank you Coach Himanshu Arora

Regular physical activity, a good diet, and a good night's sleep are essential for a positive impact on creative thinking. You will feel more energetic, focused, and ready to take on the challenges of everyday life. These elements stimulate creativity and innovation, both professionally and personally.

Somatic exercises, like yoga and qigong help to regulate the nervous system and create a sense of safety and connection. Mindful walking in nature is also highly effective for reducing stress. It is beneficial to utilize all of the senses and notice your breath, your feet on the earth as you walk, the sensations in your body, and the sights, sounds, and smells around you.

For me going for a walk, preferably knee-deep in the woods, or gardening helps me relieve stress and ground myself so I can be more centered. I have even found that gardening has helped me release tension when I have a migraine. Yoga and Qi Gong are another practice I exercise which is physical as well as a form of moving meditation which also helps to relax your nervous system and improve your overall well-being.

30 minutes of cardiovascular activity, as many days as you can, promotes overall health. It can also be used as a tool to help interrupt overthinking, “mindiness”or “doom scrolling worm holes” that many of us can get ourselves hooked into. If outdoors, as an example - before walking; set an intention to notice the patterns and textures, sounds and smells, of your surroundings. Notice urban or country wildlife. If you notice you have turned your attention back to worries, direct your attention to your breath. Follow it. With curiosity. The natural expansion and contraction of your lungs as they circulate nourishing oxygen throughout your body. At the end of your experience, notice the changes in your mood and perception. Take note!

I was JUST talking yesterday with a contact of mine about changing up the scenery to help find motivation/inspiration for creativity!! (We are both in a bit of a rut right now...??) Some might find a busy cafe inspiring; others may find it too busy to organize their thoughts and might need a totally quiet place free of distractions. But creativity is SO important and needs to be a priority in our lives. So we all need to find that place or space that promotes it.

I agree that it could be helpful. Arrange your workspace in a way that promotes creativity. Surround yourself with items that inspire you, such as artwork, motivational quotes, or objects from nature. Choose colors and lighting that enhance your mood. Also, try to minimize distractions in your environment to help you focus. This might involve decluttering your workspace, turning off notifications on your devices, or finding a quiet place to work. Ensure that your workspace is comfortable. Invest in ergonomic furniture, such as a supportive chair and a spacious desk, to enhance your comfort and productivity.

A change of scenery is very helpful to change your perspective. Get up from your desk, move a bit, maybe stretch your muscles, go for a walk if you can. And consider the power of conversation. Share with a trusted person what you are working on. Saying things out loud often helps us to come up with new ideas and solutions. And the other person might also give you interesting input.

Moving into a natural scenery from time to time is a mindcalming practice I would suggest. Exposure to fresh air, moving around and feeling the difference between the hectic city life and the calming surroundings of a forrest. Beeing outside gives our senses rest and the missing limitations of buildings, streets and rooms gives us an impression of infinity to strive for.

I take my dogs for a walk in the woods and either listen to a creative podcast or visit the horses. This always helps me get present and get in touch with my creativity.

In my experience playing specific music, such as instrumental or nature sounds, can help drown out distractions and induce a state of relaxation. Music has the power to evoke emotions and memories, so choosing tracks that you find soothing or uplifting can help shift your mood and mindset.

Establishing creative rituals in my professional and personal life is key to my self care as a creative psychotherapist and group process facilitator. From the simplest of rituals such as introducing calming scents, lighting and materials into a space, to the establishment of good, clear, safe rituals for ending sessions for the client(s) and myself.

I love thinking about creating 'flow bubbles' in my day. It can be 5-15 minutes window that you set aside to do nothing. Literally force yourself to stare out the window and be bored for a moment. Surprisingly refreshing and powerful block built in to your day. Boredom breeds creativity, but we are loosing the ability to be bored with so many endless distractions.

My singing bowl on my desk reminds me to tap it occasionally and find myself with the sound, the vibrations. That's my ritual. I also get great feedback from clients about it. A gentle tap is often enough to signal the brain to relax again.

Pour moi il est primordial de pratiquer la respiration contr?lée car le stress, même si on le sent présent, ses effets bloquant peuvent arriver sans prévenir. De ce fait on peut toujours compter sur son super pouvoir qu'est la respiration contr?lée : respiration carrée, cohérence cardiaque ou simplement la respiration dite abdominale. La seconde chose que je préconise est la pratique du rire, rire de soi, rire avec des amis ou même seul contribue grandement à effacer les méfaits du stress et la production de cortisol. A cela la pratique d'un sport, la marche en pleine nature, une activité manuelle ou artistique; tout est bon quand on est dans le ici et maintenant et le plaisir de faire.

We all have trouble seeing outside our own version of our reality. When we seek the support of others that we can trust and eventually let our guard down with, we begin to see how the story that we are telling ourselves is not always true. This can allow us to step outside of our perspective and being to see things differently - the essence of creativity.

When your creative spark is sputtering, sometimes all it needs is a new perspective. Seeking help during those stressful times when your creativity is lacking can help ignite your passion and fuel the flame of creativity. Powerful questions from a coach or mentor can go a long way to inspiring you and decreasing stress. A practiced coach can ask the right questions at the right time to allow you space to explore and think deeply about your sources of stress, how to move past them, and unlock your creativity.

When stress clouds your mind, it's similar to a gloomy day. Sometimes, you simply need someone to lift you above the clouds so you can see the sun again. While you may eventually find your own way to manage stress, seeking guidance from someone experienced in stress management can bring relief more swiftly. As a Mindset Coach, I firmly believe that stress is just an illusion, and no one deserves to suffer from it. It takes courage to reach out for help, and you already possess that courage within you.

In my experience as a therapist, seeking support is vital when stress is hindering creative thinking. The body stores an incredible amount of hormones that can impair the functioning of the brain. While taking time out is important, being creative implies giving the brain the ability to think anew. As such, therapy could offer the opportunity to explore why many people are so addicted to overwork.

Im Dialog entstehen L?sungen, das ist nicht nur in stressigen Situationen so. Wenn man gestresst ist und man sich alleine in seinem Gedankenkarussell dreht, ist es teilweise schon schwer, vor allem wenn man mental noch nicht so geschult ist, aus dem Kreislauf auszubrechen. Impulse von au?en sind hier wichtig, um den Prozess zu stoppen und dann bewusst die Gegenma?nahmen einleiten zu k?nnen.

When we can't think creatively, it's because we're in fight or flight. It usually comes from fear. The question to ask ourself is, "What am I afraid of?" When we figure out what it is, whether it's missing a deadline, not making enough money, or something else, when we can see that we are working from fear, we can also recognize why we aren't doing our best work. The question is then, how can I work from a place of positivity, flow and/or belief? What do I need to be THINKING in order to be FEELING better? Our thoughts create our feelings which creates our actions and therefor our results. You change one, you change the whole story. Wayne Dyer says it best: When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.

It’s helpful to take a pause and check in with yourself if you are striving too hard to think creatively. What we need to do is to get out of the way, to mindfully shift from a state of doing into a state of being. Firstly, stop what you are doing. Next, tune into your body and observe if you are in a state of tension physically and mentally. Acknowledge your present experience. Thirdly, find an anchor to ground yourself in the moment: listen to the sounds around you, observe a few slow and comfortable breaths or simply sensing into the points of contact. Lastly, let yourself simply just be here. When the mind is at ease and not striving, it is more conducive for creative thinking!

Prioritise sleep! It's the most effective way to tackle stress. Yet when many people feel stressed they tried to burn the candle to both ends to get things done this is completely counterproductive during the bed by 10 o'clock and waking up naturally roses and within alone. Also getting out first thing in the morning to see the sunlight for a 10-minute walk could be enough to just reset your brain.

Complete the stress cycle. If stress is in the way, you need to regulate before you can get back into a creative mindset. Some helpful things to do when you’re stressed. First ask yourself: Have I eaten something nourishing? Have I been sleeping? Drinking water? Then I would say, move your body in some way, maybe call a friend to talk things out, or try journaling…. The creativity should follow :)

I am an artist when I am not working as a physician. I find that if serious stress is present I cannot access my creative consciousness. Stress disconnects our body from our creative mind. At those times, the body experience is that we are in danger and need to be in flight and fight mode. When our ancestral reptilian brain is in survival mode it is impossible for us to connect to our true essence and creative potential. This is why we all have to stop to take a key action: It’s the moment to take a time out to breath, feel the body and change the scenery. These healing distractions bring us back into mind body alignment and entrance to our creative brilliance.