When we are stressed or blocked, it is wise to make a change so that we do not stay in that place. However, many times we forget some of the simple things that we can do by ourselves, quickly and easily to regain our inspiration and increase our creativity.

1. If you usually type your first drafts, write them by hand. Nothing compares to the feeling of ink melting on paper and the rush of that creative flow.

2. If you spend too much time in front of the computer, take a break every hour. Go for a walk or just sit in the sun. Even five minutes in the winter sun does wonders for boosting mood and creativity.

3. Flip through magazines or books. Their colors and ideas will give you sparks and change your attitude. Blue and green can reduce your stress levels by 30% or more.

4. Add strong odors to the room. Light scented candles around you, visit the fruit isle at the grocery store, or go to a store that is heavily scented. Find an orange or strawberry and smell it. Both will change a mood or create inspiration. Smells awaken your creativity. Smells trigger memories and are a great way to relive stories from the past.

5. Go see or rent an inspiring movie. Relaxation time is important. You can even take your notebook and record inspirational phases. Then write freely that those phrases bring you from your subconscious.

6. Read a book that motivates you or awakens your creativity. If you prefer, read poetry.

7. Look at bright, bold colors for a few minutes. These change your mood.

8. Talk to a friend about your topic to develop ideas and creativity. Record the conversation, with his permission of course, and play it back to hear the little nuances you might have missed.

9. Write an email to a friend to tell them what you want to achieve. If you are stuck, say so and ask for help.

10. Check your vibrational energy and do something to get it going. Taking a shower. Go for a walk. Put on music and dance naked for a few minutes.

11. Hire a virtual assistant to do some writing so you can focus on writing. You can fax or dictate your writing to your computer and send it a voice file for transcription.

12. Go to church for the noon service or whisper a prayer or two. This reconnects your energy with the universe and replenishes what might be missing.

13. Complete an appreciation exercise. Choose something around you, like the phone, the lamp, or the pen. Talk to him and tell him how much you appreciate having the electricity to power it, the chance to write with a tool that has ink inside it, not like a pen, or the smoothness of the paper you write on. Be thankful for what you have and not for what you lack. Or make a list of “count your blessing” items.

14. Write a personal note to friends or family and tell them how much you love them, appreciate their consideration or kindness.

15. Authentic, flat and raw laughter frees the psyche and opens the process of creativity.

16. Find a place with lots of trees and flowers and feel the nature. Weather permitting, take off your shoes and socks and feel the grass between your toes. Nature has a way of freeing our spirit and renewing our soul.

17. If guilt or a past incident has captured your mind, write a “Dear Me” letter and ask for forgiveness to loosen up and expand your freedom.

18. Are you used to writing in a quiet place? Find a noisy place to write, like McDonald’s or the mall. When your space is noisy, you will have to concentrate more to write clearly.

19. Go for a quiet walk, listen to your favorite CD. You can sing out of tune and no one will notice (laughs out loud).

20. Do something nice for another person that you normally wouldn’t do and be a graceful recipient of a hug.

That was exciting, wasn’t it? Post this list in a conspicuous place so it’s available when you need it, right next to your writing area is best. Do one or two of these daily and keep writing. Your readers are waiting to read your words.