Writing exercises can be a fun way to shake loose your creativity and get out of your own book for a moment to focus on something else that might lead you somewhere unexpected. But did you know that not all writing exercises have to involve, well, writing? Sometimes it helps to focus not just your mind but your whole body on a different task entirely.

But don’t worry—you’re not wasting time. Instead, you’re stepping away from your desk and into activities that can help you de-stress and perhaps even gain a better understanding of your characters—all positive qualities that you can bring back to the page when you’re ready. Read on for some ideas on how to get started.

Travel
Sure, it would be wonderful to actually go to Greece if your novel takes place there. But that’s not the kind of travel I mean (although if you have the time and budget, go for it!).

Think about a place or event near you that a character from your book might really go or would help give you a glimpse into their personality. Writing about college students? Take a stroll around campus. Is your main character an artist? Enroll in an art class or spend the afternoon perusing works in an art museum. Go anywhere and do anything that gets you walking around, absorbing the world through the eyes of the person who only exists (for now!) in your mind.

Start moving
Sometimes we are so absorbed with writing that we forget to walk away from our desks. But a more active body often results in a more active mind, and exercise of any form can be a great way to unlock latent ideas and break through that dreaded writer’s block.

The great thing is, it doesn’t matter what you do to move just as long as your physical body is in motion. Go for a swim, take a hike, go for a run, play tag with your kids, stroll around your neighborhood . . . whatever gets the blood flowing.

Read
Most writers enjoy reading but don’t carve out enough time to do it. Choose a book that you admire and read it through the lens of a writer. What makes the author’s voice unique? How do they tackle dialogue-heavy scenes? What makes their descriptions so compelling? You may even find it helpful to read aloud to hear what the rhythm of a good book sounds like and to help you incorporate those positives into your own writing.

Get creative
Writing may be your preferred method of creativity, but it’s certainly not the only one. Pick up a hobby that gets you thinking about something—anything—creative that doesn’t involve putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

Have you always wanted to learn to play the ukulele? Pick one up and start taking free YouTube lessons. Do you have an interest in painting? Grab some brushes and a canvas. Engaging a different (but still creative) part of your brain can help unlock new talents you never even knew you had, helping to get those artistic juices flowing when you sit back down to write.

Embrace the quiet
When was the last time you sat with your thoughts? Many of us run around, going from task to task, and never get a chance to just be quiet. Those who meditate will know the benefits of this firsthand.

Sit somewhere comfortable, whether that’s inside or outside, and stay still. If you want to try and empty your mind, go for it. If you want to just sit and think, do that instead. Regardless, spend some real time (no less than ten minutes) with yourself, your surroundings, and your thoughts. You may be surprised at what you find.

Spend time with nature
There is simply no better way to reset the mind and body than getting outside in nature. But you don’t need to have access to acres of farmland or the wilderness of national state parks to unwind. Just use what you have, whether it’s a city park or an old tree in your neighborhood. Stargaze, take a hike, or just lie on a picnic blanket and stare up at the clouds. There’s something healing about nature that makes everyone the better for experiencing it.

Tackle mindless chores
This may seem counterintuitive, but hear me out: sometimes we do our best thinking when we’re engaged in something monotonous. Anything that requires you to move but doesn’t require complex thought usually results in your mind wandering, and that can be a good thing for writers. Organize a closet, weed the garden, fold laundry, hand-wash the dishes. The soothing monotony of a simple noncreative chore can inadvertently unlock original ideas.

People watch
A novel is only as strong as its weakest character, so the importance of really knowing the human condition cannot be stated enough. While many authors tend to largely draw on people and character traits they know from their own day-to-day lives, you’re certainly not doomed to write only about who and what you know.

Pick a spot where you can sit and casually observe groups of people going by. Museums, parks, libraries, and other public spaces are ideal for surreptitiously keeping an eye on the comings and goings of strangers around you. What do you hear? What do you see? What backstories could you attribute to the people walking by just based on your brief glimpse of their lives? This kind of observation can not only help you with the characters you’re working on but can often serve as inspiration for characters you never even imagined.

Andrea Moran lives outside of Nashville with her husband and two kids. She’s a professional copywriter and editor who loves all things books. Find her on LinkedIn.