Have you ever been in the middle of a project or an assignment or a new idea and come into a fog?

I was talking to a friend of mine who is taking a MFA in directing and he was telling me that he was experiencing one. I got to thinking about my foggy times and realized that others of you may have experienced something similar. So I thought I would write about it today.

What is this fog? Well, it could be a number of things. It could be tiredness. It could be overload. It could be that the concept or the project is not clicking in your mind because it is new. Or if it is something you experience every day, it could be physical. (We'll assume though that it is not a physical ailment. If you are experiencing a daily fog and you are not taking an intense load of classes, you may want to see a doctor.)

What do you do?

Well, let's first look at what the world of science and health says as I think we can learn from these experts. A "fog" in their circles is associated with chronic fatigue, physical ailment. The Arthritis Society in 2003 gave these tips for people experiencing symptoms:

1. Repeat things to yourself over and over again. Repetition will keep thoughts fresh in your mind.

2. Write anything and everything down on a piece of paper that you are afraid you won't remember.

3. If something requires concentration and memory, pick your best time to do it.

4. Get some rest.

5. Engage yourself in a book, a play, a crossword to stimulate the brain and memory.

6. Stay active with moderate exercise as it will help increase your energy and lift the fog.

7. Tell the people you love that you are experiencing a fog. Sometimes, memory or concentration problems can be as a result of stress and telling someone about this can help to lift it.

8. Find quiet. Move to a quiet place to minimize distractions.

9. Go slowly. Sometimes memory problems can result from trying to do too much in short period of time. Break up the tasks.

As artists, I think we can learn something from these tips. Whenever we are in a fog, although the cause is most likely not something that is physical, the effects of the fogs we experience do manifest themselves physically. So here are some thoughts on how to CHOOSE to minimize the impact of one:

1. Take a "healing break". One of the most beneficial technique I have learned is called a "healing break". It only takes 10 minutes. Find a comfortable place to lie down on your back. Keep your legs straight and put your arms by your side. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Breathe deeply in through the nose and then out through the mouth for 10 minutes.

2. Go outside for a few minutes and take a short walk. Getting some fresh air and possibly even some sunshine is one of the best ways to clear your head. It's a change of environment as well as an opportunity for your body to get some vitamin D and to re-energize.

3. Leave the project or the assignment for an hour or so. With a writing project, it is said that it is beneficial to come back to it after some time away. By doing something else creative or maybe just for fun for an hour or longer, you will probably find renewed energy or understanding.

4. Tell someone about your fog that you trust and love. Maybe you are strained about your wall. If so, maybe by sharing your concern with someone, you will find hope to continue. (Maybe they will even have some thoughts on how to move ahead. :))

5. Give yourself more time. If you have a set date and time that the project or assignment has to be completed, renegotiate that date. Don't allow yourself to convince yourself that a renegotiation will not work until you have tried it. Most people will be thankful that you asked.

6. If renegotiation is not an option, go slowly. Divide the task up into small bite sized pieces and make it your goal today to finish one today and then another tomorrow. When you finish a piece, reward yourself.

7. Work with little distraction. Sometimes the fog can be from all the other things around us. If possible, move to a place or area that minimizes these.

8. Talk it through with someone who is in your profession.

May your fog lift because you CHOOSE to lift it!

Wanda