Reducing Stress

They say that in the days of poet William Wordsworth, he and his sister Dorothy, along with many of their literary companions, often walked anything between 12 and 20 miles a day — and on a regular basis.

It’s no surprise that they gained so much inspiration on their walks; their poetry is full of nature’s magic and interesting happenings experienced while out on foot.

Walk in the countryside, a park or through a bustling city. Take a familiar route or go somewhere new and unplanned. Vary your pace, take time to stop, explore and devour the changing scenery. Reflect on your surroundings, open up new ideas and get lost in the moment.

Even a short walk can help us tap into our creativity.

Exercise and a change of atmosphere are good for us, and our creativity.

Chris Wink is one of the Co-Founders of Blue Man Group, having originally joined forces with Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton to find a creative outlet for their shared interest in percussion, technology, art and comedy.

Try focussing on one thing only. Look around you and focus on one object; think up something that relates to that object.

Open a dictionary, randomly select a word and then try to formulate ideas incorporating this word. Pick a colour. Focus on a sound. Concentrate on one particular part of your business. One person.

This is based on the idea that choice can sometimes hinder creativity – sometimes there is nothing like restrictions to get you thinking.

Just a small ringbound notebook that can fit in a shirt, jacket or trouser pocket. And a pen.

You never know when that moment of inspiration may hit; it can also come in useful for keeping lists, sharing details with someone or just doodling/drawing to kill some time. 

Upon re-reading your notes, you may find that 95% of your ideas are rubbish. What’s important are the 5% that are brilliant.

If the brain is a muscle, are there ways to strengthen it and help our creativity?

Reading, writing or drawing may help creativity more than watching TV or most computer based activities.

Someone once said: ”Don’t watch TV. Experiments performed have shown that watching TV causes your brain to slowly trickle out your ears and/or nose. It’s not pretty, but it happens.” This may be an overstatement, but you get the point they’re trying to make.

Ask lots of questions. Enjoy strenuous discussions: debate. And “If you’re the cleverest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room!” (Author unknown).