We’re sure you’ve experienced it dozens of times. You’re writing and producing some of your best work, and suddenly your ideas are no longer flowing. You’ve hit the dreadful writer’s block speed bump. No matter how much you power through, you’re not able to get back on track.
This is more common than you think in academic research and writing. Gathering information from various sources and constructing detailed arguments can be stressful. When you add a deadline, that stress can be amplified. All of this impairs our cognitive ability to think clearly and suddenly you’re stuck. Each sentence you write becomes harder and harder.
The key to avoiding writer’s block is to preempt it. And the best preventative measure, perhaps paradoxically, is to stop writing and take regular breaks. This helps you relax, mentally recharge, and destress, all of which allows you to refocus on your research and writing. If you rinse and repeat, you’ll find that you can consistently write effectively.
As you know at SciSpace, we’re dedicated to supporting our academic community by building technology that eases the workflows that might otherwise cause time and additional stress for researchers. While we don’t have the technology yet to address Writer’s Block, we have some fun suggestions to take a break and completely avoid it.
1. Play games
You might have scratched your head when you saw playing games on our list. However, various studies show that playing games can help in the workplace by easing anxiety. They’re an easy escape from your task at hand that allow you to have fun.
Try playing games like solitaireplaying games like solitaire that are quick and easy. You can spend 10–15 minutes playing, and then channel your energy back to your work. There are dozens of games you can play, but avoid longer games that are too involved, as that can turn into a distraction.
2. Exercise
Exercising is a great way to take a break. It releases endorphins, the hormone that modulates your mood, and can improve your energy level and sharpen your focus, all of which will help you write better.
While it’s likely difficult to drop your work and head to the gym for an hour, you can do small exercises at home. Try doing jumping jacks or push-ups or pull-ups. Jumping rope can give you a good sweat. In no time your blood flow will be flowing and you’ll be ready to write again.
3. Eat a snack
Your brain takes a significant amount of every and caloric value to run. When it’s in high gear like during intense academic writing, it consumes even more energy. This means you’ll want to make sure you continuously replenish your brain and eat.
When you take a break, try eating a healthy snack that you enjoy. A banana or energy bar may do the trick. Though tempting, avoid sugary foods that might give you a short-term high, but can later lead to a crash.
4. Doodle
Drawing or doodling is a great way to take a break, especially if you have an artistic penchant. It helps relieve tension which will ease your mind to write better.
You can even experiment with what you draw. For example, drawing something related to your topic at hand may help you come up with new ideas for your writing while also helping your concentration. That’s a win-win.
5. Call friends and family
Humans are social creatures, but when it comes to writing, you might find yourselves literally locked in a room. Leaving your writing chamber to socialize is good for your mental health.
Try calling or FaceTiming friends and family. Not only will you be able to catch up with loved ones, but you’ll relax your mind which will help you write better when you get back to it.
Experiment
The best thing you can do is create a process around taking breaks to avoid writer’s block. Take a break every 45 to 60 minutes, and try different activities during those breaks. Find a rhythm or routine that works best for you.
Also, since you are looking to streamline research workflows, we suggest checking out SciSpace. With it, you can do everything from literature research to writing papers to publishing - all in one place.
SciSpace is the leading research platform trusted by universities and publishers worldwide. With more than 200 million research papers from a wide range of disciplines, SEO-optimized summaries, public profile areas to display your experiences, a collaborative text editor, 20,000+ journal templates that can be imported in a click, and so much more
