Candice: I’ve been trying to write a strategy document at work for weeks now – but have been struggling to find the right flow in it to get across what I want to get across and explain the thought process behind it.
I was trying to knuckle down to it at work this afternoon but was still struggling with the why. So I went for a dip in the pool. 60 lengths later I’ve solved my problem and worked out what the structure should be.
Why is this? Well I find I can switch off in the pool. I’ve always loved swimming, and I find it bizarre when people say they find it boring. Yes the going up and down can be repetitive, but after a while it can clear your brain and help you to sort out the things going round in your head. In fact, I was so focused on that I actually lost count of the number of lengths I had done.
It seems I am not alone in using swimming to improve the mind. A small study has been done in Australia to see the impact on immersing you in water on your blood flow. It seems that this can help cognitive function, ie what I have seen for years, swimming can help you think.
So next time you come up against a writing problem, take a break. Go for a walk, take a jog or go for a dip in the pool and see if that can help you sort out your writers block.
What I need to work out next is how to swim regularly and have nails that don’t break all the time and hair that isn’t dry. A small price to pay for some good ideas…?
nolanparker 
Marvin, “I can even go and stick my head in a bucket of water if you like. Would you like me to go and stick my head in a bucket of water? I’ve got one ready. Wait a minute.”