Sweat Can Build Creative Equity
As marketers, we are by nature a creative bunch. But even the most creative among us hits a wall from time to time.
In this article from naturallysavvy.com, a doctor explains how exercising can help boost creativity by changing your focus, increasing oxygen to the brain, and possibly even building new neurons.
Of course, exercise is by no means the only way of getting over that wall—here are a few of our office favorites:
- Brainstorming: when you’re stuck in a creative rut, sometimes all you need to get over it is the collective brainpower of your coworkers. One idea leads to another, and soon the creative juices are flowing again. The best brainstorms are short and sweet–a sprint, not a marathon. You can flesh our your ideas later.
- Shower power: one coworker often has what she calls her “shower thoughts,” ideas that come to her while she’s getting ready for work. Letting her mind wander while she goes through her morning routine often leads her to solutions she may not have thought about had she been consciously focusing on the problem. We joke that she should keep a white board in her bathroom for when creative inspiration strikes.
- Vacation: a vacation is the ultimate way to hit your mental reset button. Sometimes even a weekend can do the trick—the key is to actually let go of work for awhile. It’ll still be there when you get back, and giving your brain a break will better prepare you to tackle it! According to the National Institutes of Health, vacation is good for your mental health in general–so what are you waiting for?
Now you know some of the things we do to keep ourselves fresh from a creative perspective. What do you do when you’re stuck in a rut, creatively or otherwise?
