5 Ways to Overcome Mental Block

Posted by & filed under .

Writer or not, most of us have definitely experienced mental blocks. We’ve always felt sure that the tiniest detail that we need is in our memory, but it’s as if a wall sprung up and hid it. Memory blocks could range from mild, irritating lapses in conversations, to memory failure during exams. The good thing is, there are several ways that we can do to overcome it and get us right back on track.

mental-block

1.       Run Through The Alphabet

If what you’re trying to remember is a name, getting the initial letter of that person’s name would be enough to allow you to completely recall that particular information. Slowly run through the alphabet, pausing on each letter so that the process of word and letter association would work. Once you’ve hit the right letter, say it out loud and see how easily you’ll remember the name.

2.       Switch Your Attention

Putting so much effort to remember something that you forgot only makes the mental block worse. Instead of intently remembering that particular thing you forgot, switch your attention to something that’s entirely different. See how that particular information surfaces on its own accord after you’ve switched your attention to another matter.

3.       Apply Free Association

Psychoanalysis in Singapore often uses the free association of ideas on a particular topic or word to give an insight about a person’s unconscious mind. You can use this technique if you want to remember the name of a particular actor in the film that you recently watched. By focusing all the associations you created with the person – his physical features, or distinctive characteristics – you’ll find his name suddenly sliding back into your memory.

freewriting2

4.       Sleep It Through

Memory problems often resolve themselves overnight. In such cases, it would seem like you unconscious mind works away to find the answer as you sleep. What makes this tips quite effective is because it allows the existing memories to resurface without any interference of other ideas and thoughts, allowing them to come to mind easily the following day.

5.       Relax

Stress is one of the major causes of mental blocks, and it’s easy to panic if the right information failed to emerge right away, especially in situations like job interviews. If this happens, take deep breaths, reassure yourself, and focus on the task at hand one at a time. Allow your thoughts to surface, but don’t force it to come straightaway.

Experiencing mental block every once in a while is just normal. Simply follow any of the aforementioned tips on times that you are faced with this problem. Just relax, take deep breaths, and allow your thoughts to flow.

relax-at-work

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *