The fastest way to get unstuck

A quick tip today if you’ve been feeling uninspired, unmotivated or stuck: get moving! It may sound simple, but I’ve found that it really is the fastest way to get unstuck!

What do I mean by ‘get moving’? Well, I don’t mean forcing yourself to take action on something or make a decision or write another to-do list. I don’t even mean sitting down to meditate or journal about what’s keeping you stuck. Instead, I want you to do anything that doesn’t require a lot of thinking or focus. I want you to get up and change locations, change what you’re doing or just move your body.

For example, get outside and go for a walk. Put on some music and dance (don’t worry, no one’s watching!) Get up and make yourself a tea or take a hot shower. It doesn’t really matter what you do—the idea is to interrupt whatever you’re working on and give your brain a break from all the (over)thinking.

The science behind getting unstuck

There is actually a scientific terms for this, and it’s called “the shower effect.” I’m sure you’ve heard the advice that we get our best ideas in the shower. This is partly because your mind and your body are more relaxed, but it’s also because you’ve moved into autopilot. You’re doing a task that is automatic, that you don’t have to think about, which gives your mind time and space to work on other things in the background (often unconsciously). And it doesn’t just happen in the shower—it can happen any time you’re engaged in an activity that is passive or doesn’t require a lot of focus.

Essentially, when you move into “autopilot” your mind enters into a pattern of brain activity called Default Mode Network (DMN). In DMN, your mind isn’t actively thinking about whatever is keeping you stuck, instead it’s working away at solving problems in the background while you perform a mostly automatic task. Your mind is getting creative, working through and reworking different scenarios, opportunities or outcomes. It’s taking all the pieces apart and trying to put them together in different ways to see what might work better.

It’s simple, but it works!

So before you dismiss the simplicity of putting on your shoes and heading out the door when you feel stuck, remember that this type of break is actually productive and good for your brain! Give yourself the mental break you need and let your unconscious mind figure things out behind the scenes. It’s often when we’re not seeking answers that the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place.

As a chronic over-thinker myself, I know this is easier said than done. I often feel the urge to keep thinking, keep working at a problem, until I figure things out or find a solution. The trick is to catch yourself whenever you find yourself stewing over something. Whether you’re trying to make a decision, or trying to figure out the next step forward, or even replaying a past decision in your mind, if you find yourself going in circles or not getting any clarity, it’s time for a break. Find an activity that is quick and easy and that you actually enjoy and make it habit to take little breaks throughout the day. You’ll probably find that you even start to crave these little moments.

So go take a break and do something fun! Get out of your head, even for just a few minutes.