There is a common perception among readers that writers are a bunch of over-stressed, neurotic people, whose work is all done under the spell of a genius intellect. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, there are some eccentric bozos out there who write for the sheer hell of it, but by and large, the majority of writers are just like you and me. They have day jobs, families, and a few bucks to their name. Basically, they’re just normal people trying to make an honest living. In some cases, these people may be under a lot of stress. Maybe they’ve lost a loved one, or maybe they’re just trying to make their living in the shadow of the pandora’s box that is the internet. No matter what the reason is, when their daily stressors start piling up, they may resort to writing as a way of dealing with their problems. The following paragraphs will explore some of the psychological effects that stress has on creative writing. We’ll start with the common cold and how it can inspire you to write, move onto the ways that stress can affect your creativity, and finish with some real-life examples of how these effects play out in the workplace.
The Common Cold
You know the common cold as a viral infection that causes a runny nose, scratchy throat, and maybe even a cough. While not pleasant, the common cold is a common and usually a self-limiting affliction. The only real danger with the common cold is that it can turn into something more serious. If you have a chronic case of the common cold, it’s time to see your doctor. Proactively treating the common cold requires some serious medication, perhaps even a daily cocktail of anti-viral medications and possibly antibiotics as well. Unfortunately, when this happens, it usually means the end of your productivity while you’re at work. Even more unfortunate, is that when you come back from work, you’ll find that your creative juices have dried up. This is why it’s best to simply let the damn thing run its course.
How Does Stress Affect Creativity?
Stress can have a significant effect on your creativity. In some instances, a little stress can help you come up with some brilliant ideas. For instance, if you’re under a lot of stress, you might find that your mind wanders to more bizarre places. Sometimes, the most brilliant ideas can be found while you’re taking a dump or having a bad dream. In these moments, your body’s reaction to the stress actually inspires you to write something new. Maybe you’ll end up with an episode of “Black Mirror” or “Stranger Things” sitting in your head. While this might not sound like a good thing, it can be. The key is to not get too attached to these ideas. When your creativity is stifled by constant anxiety, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle with your hand in a cast. Sometimes the solution can be found while you’re taking a stroll, but you’ll never know until you try. In these cases, it’s often better off to let your body’s chemistry take its course, and eventually the stress will wear off, and your mind will return to its normal creative state. There are many cases where stress has hindered creative writing, but there are also times when it’s actually helped. This is something you have to find out for yourself.
Real-Life Examples Of The Creative Writing Process
For the sake of this article, we’re going to assume that you’re a creative writing enthusiast who has the time to sit down and write. If this sounds like you, then you’re in luck because you’re in the right place. We’re going to walk you through the creative writing process, step by step, and give you an idea of what would happen if you were to fall into a briefcase of stress. First, let’s take a look at how the common cold can inspire you to write. As we’ve established, the common cold is one of the most common viruses around these days. Like many viruses, the common cold has the potential to mutate and become more serious. This is why, when you come down with it, you need to take some time off work to let yourself rest and recover. During this time, your body produces more immune cells for the purpose of fighting the virus. The more immune cells you have, the less likely you are to get sick from the cold. In the meantime, your body is also producing more white blood cells, which in turn increase your body’s ability to fight small infections and illnesses. This is why you need to take some time off work when you come down with the common cold. Ideally, you’ll want to use this time to write something. Since you have a creative writing class sitting empty in your vicinity, you might as well take advantage of it. Maybe you’ll even turn in your work, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” which was famously published in 1899. If you haven’t read it, you should. It’s one of the most terrifyingly brilliant works of creative fiction ever written. The common cold can help you come up with some of the most brilliant ideas you’ll ever have, but it can also take away your creativity if you let it.
The Impact Of Stress On Productivity
Speaking of taking time off work, you also need to consider the impact that stress has on your productivity. Sometimes, if you’re under a lot of stress, you may find that you’re simply unable to produce anything of value. In these cases, it may be best to step back and seek some help from a professional. There are many different types of therapists out there that specialize in work-focused therapy. A work-focused therapy session with one of these specialists may end up being the key that unlocks your creativity. Sometimes, just taking a walk or going for a swim can help to clear your head and get your creative juices flowing again. Of course, the ultimate solution is to simply take a break. Unplug from work and take a walk or drive to clear your head. If this sounds like a good idea, then give it a try. Ultimately, you’ll find that when your body produces more white blood cells, it also improves your mood. This makes you happy and more creative, which in turn makes you productive.
How Does Stress Affect Your Grammar And Punctuation?
We’re surrounded by writing and speaking professionals who make sure that our grammatical and punctuation structures are correct. These individuals usually exist in a vacuum, and the stress of everyday life has a way of sneaking in there and messing up the rules. Stress has a way of changing our speech patterns and making us use words that we never would have used before. Punctuation also tends to suffer under the weight of stress. This could be the reason why you sometimes come across blog posts and social media posts that look like they were written by a machine. Even though automated online writers have gotten pretty good at recognizing and capitalizing on patterns, stress has a way of throwing off even the most sophisticated programs. When you have a lot of stress, it may be a good idea to have a quick peek at your grammar and punctuation to see if they’re in order. Checking your grammar and punctuation once or twice a day can help to keep your prose looking fresh and tidy. When you’re under a lot of stress, it may be tempting to let your guard down and start using abbreviations and slang words that you often see online. Having a quick look through your grammar and punctuation can help to keep this sort of thing at bay. You may also want to consider getting a writing partner and having a friendly dialog with a professional editor. This kind of collaboration can help to tighten up your work and get it ready for publication. If you’re a creative writer who feels like their work is getting a little dull, having someone else take a look at it can spark some new ideas and perspectives. Everyone needs a break sometimes, even the most prolific writers in the world. In these cases, it may be best to take a step back and recharge your creative batteries. Ultimately, your body will produce more white blood cells which will enable you to fight off the virus that is causing you stress. This is why it’s important to take some time off work when you feel like your health is at risk due to the common cold or any other illness. Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best solution, and in this case, taking a break from work may be exactly what you need to put your creativity back on track.