Mental Blockage: 9 Practical Ideas to Clear Your Mind

Jennifer Theuriet
My daughter forgot her Chromebook at home; that tweet is going to cause a media storm; the
space heater is making me sleepy. This laundry list of random thoughts flips through my mind
while I’m trying to focus my brain on writing, creating a solid case of writer’s block. You’ve likely
experienced this kind of mental blockage, as well.
A mental blockage is the inability to complete a train of thought. It gets frustrating as your
thoughts are derailed by something. However, life keeps moving, and deadlines don’t change
because you feel like taking a nap. Furthermore, big breakthroughs often wait just on the other
side of these blocks.
Try these quick fixes the next time you need to get your thoughts back on track and get rid of
mental blockage.
1. Remind Yourself That Mental Blocks Don’t Actually Exist
I know I just gave you a list of reasons I can’t write at the moment, but the reality is I’m still
writing.
I pushed through the mind games and just put my fingers on the keyboard. I forced myself to
write and got rid of all my expectations and fear of failure.
That’s the key: refusing to accept that your mental block exists and do the work anyway. Let’s
apply this technique to something outside the literary world.
Say you are having trouble parenting your teenager. Nothing you’ve done is working, and
you’re pulling your hair out trying to get through to them. You’re worried changing your
parenting game will screw them up.
Just try something, and get over your need for perfection when experiencing a mental block.
Maybe you write him/her a letter and pour out your frustrations and love. It doesn’t have to be
some grand gesture.
Once you start, you will have feedback. You’ll have that glorious feeling of progress. Either you
can keep making small steps forward, or scrap that idea and try something new.
2. Avoid Your Crutches
Coffee, alcohol, sugar, and drugs can get you through a moment, but they don’t clean up the
clutter or help you overcome mental blocks for more than a few minutes.
You don’t have to give up the cup of your morning ritual or the piece of cake to celebrate your
loved one’s special day. It’s the moment you want to reach for that extra cup of coffee to churn
out that big presentation that’s your greatest barrier.
If you’re stuck with mental blockage, mental stimulants won’t guide you through. They will add
to the clutter and may only worsen the situation. Instead, stick with good nutrition and stay
hydrated to keep your brain in optimal form.
3. Time to Turn in
Instead of heading to the kitchen to jump start your thought process when you feel
overwhelmed, try crawling under the covers instead. Sleep is one of the best ways we can
sweep the cobwebs off our minds.
When your foggy brain is begging you for that caffeine fix, try laying down for 20 minutes. You
may not sleep, and that’s okay—just let your mind drift. This break from problem-solving mode
might just be the breakthrough you need.
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Let’s say it’s 10 pm and you’re slumped over in front of your laptop, doing your best to stay
focused on the design details of your client’s website. Instead of agonizing over subhead text
options for another half hour, shut it down and head to bed.
You know when it’s been too long. Even if you’re up against a hard deadline, a well-rested mind
will make better decisions in a lot less time.
4. Exercise
It’s common to hear someone say, “I’m going to take a walk to clear my head,” and that’s
because it works when you’re feeling stuck.[1]
Is walking too mundane for you? Try running, and if that’s not your thing, jump on the Pilates
reformer. There are a lot of exercises out there, even if you’re too busy to do them regularly.
If you’re living a busy life but still want to get into the exercise habit, check out this Lifehack
course: Busy Yet Fit Programme. It will help you jumpstart your workouts and get into a great
fitness routine.
5. The Headshake
Have you ever caught a teenager mid-daydream while studying? A quick “hey” breaks into their
stream of consciousness. They shake their head and go back to math homework.
It’s a simple gesture, and almost automatic.
Next time you catch your focus stuck on the same problem playing over and over in your mind,
try shaking your head. Imagine that as a way to reset your brain and try again.
6. Write It out
You’ve heard the advice to write out what’s on your mind before, but there’s a twist. There are
different ways to write, and you have to choose one that will move your mental blockage.
Brainstorm: Grab a piece of paper or a digital notebook, and write whatever comes to mind. My
favorite way to brainstorm is by mind mapping.
Journal: This is the big brother of brainstorming. Here you are writing about your mental
blockage in complete sentences, but there’s no formal structure to your writing. It’s just a
stream of consciousness put into words on paper.
Pros/cons list: This is a favorite for the indecisive.
Essay: Imagine that your high school English teacher wants you to write a persuasive essay
about your mental blockage.
7. Get Comfortable Being Alone
Mental blocks linked to complex problems require both focused and diffuse thinking.[2] Diffuse
thought happens when your brain is on autopilot (like those “aha!” moments you have in the
shower).
Focused thinking takes more effort and a quiet workspace. For those of you living in quarantine
with a full house, this will be a challenge. When was the last time you reached a flow state
while working from a laptop that’s propped on your kitchen counter with a household buzzing
around you?
Here’s a secret for those of you in this current situation. You need to block off time while
everyone else is asleep. Set your alarm for 5 am, and sit with your mental block. For you night-
owls, stay up and get that alone time in after everyone is asleep.