How to Overcome Stress-induced Writer's Block: Causes and Remedies

Writer's block is a condition that confronts most writers at some point or other in which they are unable to find the inspiration or the ability to write. Usually, the primary cause of writer's block is stress. Prolonged stress, in particular, leads to fatigue and nobody can write effectively when mentally, emotionally, or physically exhausted.

The stress can come from a number of different sources. For example, there may be personal causes of the stress, such as strained interpersonal relationships, financial worries or illness. External factors such as noisy neighbors, screaming children, barking dogs and other external noises can cause stress that interferes with the creative process and, if it is persistent, it can lead to stress-induced fatigue, too.

While many writers recommend writing exercises or sticking to a schedule to force the process, this may not always be a reasonable solution. Therefore, I'd like to give you my own personal solutions to writer's block that is caused by stress, not by laziness, procrastination or burn out, which are many of the ways stress-induced fatigue in a writer may appear, either to yourself or someone else.

Stress is at the foundation of most cases of real writer's block.

Causes and Remedies for Writer's Block Caused by Stress

Stress leading to fatigue can cause a genuine block. Fatigue can sneak up on you when you are deeply engaged in a writing project. The solution is sleep, as much sleep as it takes until you reach that moment when you wake up refreshed and eager to pursue your creative ideas on paper. When you are fully rested, you will likely no longer be blocked.

The stress of some other task, which must be completed can interfere with your writing. If you have to do grocery shopping, fulfill obligations to family members, or take care of some other stressful situation, it is better to do this before trying to write. A writer's mind works best when it is undivided between multiple tasks and entirely focused on nothing else but writing.

Many writers are true introverts, who are energetically and psychically drained whenever they have to be around other people. The stress and over-stimulation of being around other people can lead to a sense of being blocked, which will dissipate after you have been alone again for a while. It may take hours to recover. Taking a nap might clear your "system" so you can begin writing again with a clear channel of inspiration. Or, it may take as much as a day or more to feel sufficiently calm and on an even keel. Avoiding people, including long phone conversations or on-line forum discussion, which can take your focus off your writing and cause you to expend unnecessary energy is the best solution to avoiding this kind of stress.

Naturally, if you are ill, injured, or in physical pain you probably won't be able to write yourself into a state of wellness. If you are so ill that you cannot focus your mind due to a real physical cause, you will simply have to give up writing and focus on getting well. When you are physically ready, you will likely find that you are able to take up the task again without a problem.

Similarly, if you are under any kind of severe abnormal stress such as dealing with domestic abuse, stalking, or other threats of violence, you will probably have to resolve these issues before you can resume writing. This may involve going somewhere else where you can escape your tormentors and get some peace, after which you will probably require a long time to find your place of serenity again. After you have re-established peace in your life, your blockage will likely evaporate.

If you live in a noisy, inconsiderate household or in a loud neighborhood, you may have to find somewhere else to do your writing. A library is usually a good choice as long as you can feel safe and write unmolested.

If possible, try to train the members of your household to be quiet and leave you alone several hours per day so you can work. There's not much you can do about noisy neighbors. But, you may find that both your house and your neighbors houses are quieter after midnight. Try writing late at night or earlier in the morning before the worst of the noise distractions begin.

If you are so stressed that you cannot write, give yourself a break for a day or two. Watch a movie, play a game, take a bath, take a nap, go for a walk, shop for pleasure, lift weights, go out to dinner, have a drink, make a cup of tea or do whatever allows you to de-stress.

Recognize that the blockage you are experiencing is only temporary and not due to your being lazy or a procrastinator. So, don't beat yourself up over it. If you begin to worry that it is a permanent condition, you will only cause yourself more stress, which will only serve to lengthen your recovery time.