One Underrated Way to Jumpstart the Writing Process

On days when I feel calm and relaxed, I get more writing done. But there are days when I’m overly stressed or anxious, and I feel like I’m in a writing jail.

That’s when I have a topic in my head, but I can’t get my brain to work for me. Thoughts run wild in my mind and, like an inexperienced juggler, I can’t catch them all at once. As a stay-at-home mom and a caregiver, my brain gets overloaded. I feel like I’ve been caught in a mousetrap. I’m stuck.

But, luckily, my trusted friend comes to my rescue — meditation. When I’m stuck and don’t know how to get the writing process started, I meditate. It’s a powerful way to relax my mind and achieve a balanced mental state.

We all know the benefits of meditation on the mind. But did you know meditation can help your writing too?

And you don’t need to invest too much of your time in meditation. As little as 10 minutes can do the trick. I like to engage in short 10-minute meditation sessions throughout the day, and it helps my brain recharge instantly. And if you practice meditation regularly, it can help you get in the writing zone faster. You can do it either before you start writing or any time of the day.

Here’s how meditation can help you write.

Beat your writer’s block

Picture this: an idea pops in your head and you sit down to write, but you can’t seem to get that first word or that first sentence out. Your brain is stuck. A great way to unlock your brain is by allowing your brain to take a break and meditate.

Meditation is a great way to overcome writer’s block. Research shows meditation can help you get in the flow state. The more you meditate, the more you will experience your flow. That means you’ll get more writing accomplished.

Meditation helps to get your creativity flowing and the words out on the page. When you meditate you reduce the activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain — the area responsible for logic, organized thoughts, and decision-making processes. Your brain is able to take a break and relax. When you do that, other parts of your brain take over, and you’re able to tap into a creative flow. It’s no surprise that the best inspiration and ideas come when you’re in a relaxed state. You’re also able to create better connections between ideas.

So next time you feel stuck on a word, a sentence, or even a title for your next story, take a short mediation break. It works.

Improve your focus

When my mind is calm and I sit down to write, words just seem to flow out like a river. But when I have too much pressure or when my kids distract me, my focus is thrown out the window. That’s why I find writing in the early mornings helps me stay more focused and be more productive. After a full restful night of sleep, my brain is fully functional and my mind is clear. And that’s when I write at my best and get most of my writing done.

With meditative states, you can achieve the same level of relaxation. When you focus on something — be it your breath or an image — you’re training your mind to focus better.

Research shows meditation helps shrink the amygdala portion of the brain that regulates stress responses. When this happens, your other functions of the brain — namely attention and concentration — come alive. And with consistent meditation, you can reduce the size of the amygdala and become a more focused writer.

Every time you feel stuck in writing, simply take a short break and do a few breathing exercises for a few minutes. Right away, you will experience more calm and regain your focus and concentration.

How to practice meditation

Do what’s called “diaphragmatic breathing.” First, find a quiet place free of distractions. Sit up straight and close your eyes. Take slow, deep breaths through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. This is called diaphragmatic breathing. As you breathe, move your belly inward and outward. If you find your mind keeps wandering around, redirect your attention back to breathing. You may not get it perfect the first time, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

Then, while maintaining the same posture, slowly open your eyes.

Perform this ritual every time you begin your writing session or at any time of the day. Make it part of your daily routine. You’ll have a more relaxed mental state when you write and you’ll get more writing accomplished.

The takeaway

Meditation is a great way to relax your mind and beat a writer’s block. It has beneficial effects on the brain and can unlock your creative power. Regular meditation practice can help you get in the flow, improve concentration and focus.

Every time you feel stuck in any aspect of a writing process, try meditation and watch the magic unfold.