Have you ever felt like you needed more ideas and couldn't come up with any good ones despite repeated efforts? You doubt yourself and think like you aren't capable of doing the task. Well, you are not alone; we all feel stuck at some point.
Whether you push yourself to think or give up early, either way, you suffer and feel stressed. In this blog, you will learn about mental blocks, what causes these mental blocks and how you can overcome them.
What is a Blocked Mind?
It is a state of dilemma, low creativity, and low productivity. Even if you try really hard, you can't come up with enough ideas. The simplest tasks can feel like a burden to accomplish. Your mind fails to process the ideas and ends up feeling demotivated.
Mental blocks are common, and you are certainly not alone. Mental blocks merely act as a hindrance between you and your goal. Anyone at any age or state can experience mental blocks. These aren't restricted to just artists or writers.
Why Does Mind-Blocking Occur?
Your mood and gestures reflect mental block pretty well. For instance, you may look irritable, annoyed, sleepy, tired, or demotivated. In the long term, such conditions can easily lead to burnout. Furthermore, there could be several reasons for a blocked mind. Major causes for mind blockage are:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Procrastination
- Stress
- Side effects of medications
- Lack of sleep
These conditions could make your mind feel exhausted and energy deficient in thinking clearly, as stated by Harvard Health Letter. Other factors that can cause mental block are decision fatigue, hormonal misbalance, procrastination, etc.
What's the Role of Nutrition in Mental Block?
Although there are several causes of mental bock, nutrition deficiency is the most surprising one. For example, if your diet lacks enough vitamin B12, you may experience a mental block.
Basically, vitamin B12 regulates the nervous system and ensures proper blood circulation in your body. As a result, a lack may simply leave you feeling exhausted and annoyed.
In other words, a healthy diet is necessary to improve concentration and creativity. Eating brain-healthy foods can simply enhance creativity and intellect abilities to a great extent.
Five Tips to Boost Creativity
The following are the five best tips for enhancing your creativity while overcoming mental blocks:
- Take Breaks when Required
- Change Environment
- Try New Things
- Create a Timetable
- Hangout with Friends
Take Breaks when Required
You don't have to be too hard on yourself all of the time. Simply take a break when you are exhausted or run out of creative ideas. The daily grind can make you irritable and short-tempered. So, whenever you feel like it, give yourself a break.
Change Environment
If you work in an environment that does not encourage creativity and productivity, this could be the source of your mental block. Change your environment and surround yourself with people who make you feel at ease and confident.
Try New Things
Sometimes, you become sick of doing the same thing over and again. Trying new things could surely refresh you and re-energize you to get back to your work. Also, don't forget to pamper yourself as you do to others.
Create a Timetable
Creating time table usually helps in micromanaging tasks. Time management provides clarity in mind and also helps you avoid unreasonable stress. All in all, you can cope with the daily workload effectively.
Hangout with Friends
It is, without a doubt, the most effective stress reliever. When there is brain fogginess, socializing is often the key. All in all, talking with friends and socializing can help you get away from your daily work-related stress.
What are the Essential Nutrients for Overcoming Mental Blocks?
Antioxidants, flavonoids, omega fatty acids, lean proteins, roughage, and fiber have all been found to be extremely beneficial in overcoming mental blocks. Various studies have also found that (EPA & DHA) omega acids increase neural activity and regulate overall body metabolism.
Furthermore, flavonoids, which are plant-based compounds, can improve radical and neuron communication while also reducing inflammation.
What Should and Should not be Included in your Daily Meal?
Various leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, mint, lettuce, etc., are a good source of essential vitamins and should be readily included in your diet. Also, berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries are good antioxidants.
Furthermore, seafood such as salmon, caviar, fish, crabs, shrimp, salmon, etc., is highly associated with increased neural activity and acts as a brain booster. Protein and fiber-rich food such as chia seeds, oats, cocoa, walnut, etc., also help in overcoming brain fog.
However, limit your carbohydrate-rich foods such as starchy potatoes, pasta, bread, processed foods, and fried fast food. Consumption of such foods disrupts your digestive system and reduces your ability to work and concentrate. Furthermore, refined carbohydrates like grains and sugar can cause insulin spikes, which can lead to lethargy.
What Changes Should You Make to your Daily Routine?
It's crucial to exercise regularly, coupled with dietary changes. Also, you can practice yoga or meditation for 15-20 minutes to relax your brain muscles. Besides, try to maintain a consistent sleep cycle and take short naps as needed. When included in daily routines, proper rest, progressive activities, and meditation can work wonders.
Note: If you are suffering from chronic stress or depression, consult an expert immediately. There could be other mental health-related issues that now feel like merely a mental block. Therefore, seek medical assistance or psychotherapy to avoid future complications.
Final Word
Mental blocks are only temporary obstacles that can be overcome in standard ways. Don't worry or panic if you aren't doing your best right now. Allow yourself some space and time to re-energize your best energy. Also, eat healthy and be cautious before incorporating food into your daily diet. Also, include all the essential nutrients in your daily diet to avoid any situation of nutrition deficiency.
