Chill - It's only Nano Season.

So as this blog's title somewhat suggests, I am going to try to chill as I spray ink on a whole lot of paper because for the entire month of November, I will be participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The goal is to reach 50,000 words within the month. There will be sweat, tears, and most definitely blood: characters' blood. The madness of this has made me think to give some various suggestions on how to relax and focus, on how to be chill:

1. Meditation. I have yet to use meditation on a regular basis, but the times I have, they have brought some wonderful mental healing. Even just a minute was enough to have me smiling and ready to tackle the rest of my day. Deep breaths and the clearing of the mind are very important factors. I'd find that thinking 'in and out' as a mantra while you take deep breaths will help slow you down and help you keep your kind from running amok if you really have problems finding your way to a clear mind.

As I'm no meditation expert, here are a few links to help you figure it out:

• Ananda Sangha: Learn to Meditate

• The Meditation Mind: Easy Meditation Techniques for Beginners

• The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing

2. Background music with NO lyrics. The style can be any of your choosing, but personally, and as what I learned in my music appreciation class from my professor, the best effects come from a low to medium volume and with classical music. The idea is to keep the brain stimulated with noise, but to still move the thought process forward. (Okay, that previous sentence is my own belief, but it does sound quite logical and scientific, right?) Here are some serene orchestral music I've decided to use: 

• Memoirs of a Geisha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

• Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
• War Horse (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

• Living Room Songs by Olafur Arnalds

• Beginnings album by Josh Kramer

• Albums by Josh Kramer

3. Smiling! If you aren't chill, you are probably stressed out and therefore, probably unhappy. Smiling, no matter what kind of mental state you are in, can help bring you into a better mental state. For drastic measures to ensure you don't lose your smile after choosing this avenue, I suggest putting Vaseline on your teeth. If you don't have any, get some as I'm sure it could be of use for other things around the home someday. I learned from dancing that this will keep you smiling, but if you are strong and can stand the taste... power to you then.

4. Writing! BUT, write something fun like song lyrics or a quick poem on how you despise the torture Nanowrimo is putting you through or about whatever has your knickers in a twist. 

 

5. It is better to vent than to keep things in. Speak your troubles to someone you trust or write it down in a diary.

6. Exercise! Any sports activity will help you relax. In fact, try any hobby you love to help you calm down.

7. Watching this video called the Skype Laughter Chain. If you didn't laugh while watching that, it is okay. The point I make is laughing helps the same way smiling helps! So find some jokes or blooper videos and save them for future reference when you are in need of a giggle to brighten your day.

I think I've come up with a good amount of things that will help me through my crazy roller coaster ride for NaNoWriMo. I hope these things help you as well! Whether these help you or not, do share how you get yourself to relax!