HOL Ravenclaw

After watching the previous matches you need to take a break to get away from the smell of the exploding Gobstones. How bad is the smell? What do you do to clear your mind before your match? In 50 words or more, or show us a picture of something you might do to clear your mind.

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My first thought when it comes to clearing my mind is to use one of the techniques I learned from Maxim Trevelyan's Occlumency class. Among other things, Maxim explained that I could use deep breathing techniques to clear my mind of the smell of gobstones. I would supplement this by thinking of something else with a more pleasing aroma, such as baking bread, to help push out that gobstone odor!

My way to clear my mind would be to focus on an object to keep other stray thoughts away. This object in particular is my lovely black cat, lovingly called Demon. I imagine her lazily laying around in my mind and if any stray thoughts start to come around she would jump into action and drive them away, keeping the mind clear.

I usually take a long soak in a bathtub before a match. I know it might be a little counter-intuitive since if I lose, I definitely need to wash again afterwards, but I find that the scented water and the feeling of almost being weightless is very relaxing and it helps me focus on the game and not everything else.

Before and after a match, I take a long break and head to the Prefect's Bathroom to take a relaxing bath. After I've finished up there, I head to my dorm room and use my favorite perfume. I may smell like a walking bottle of vanilla and brown sugar perfume with the amount I put on, but at least any scent from the Gobstones that wasn't washed off will be masked.

The best way to clear the mind (and the nose) is to head outside. A nice long walk in the fresh air is always very relaxing to me. After that, I would make sure to drink some water and stay hydrated. Grabbing a snack might be good before a match - chocolate chip cookies and milk is ideal. If I still have time to kill, I'd grab a book to take my mind away for a bit.

For clear mind I probably meditate. For get smell out nose I light nice candle.

One of the things I would usually do to clear my mind is to reread a favourite book. I'd sit in a chair or lie down on my bed, flick to the page I was last on and let the words drift me back to a somewhat familiar, but still separate, place. It's not as surprising/shocking in some parts as the first reading but can still keep me enthralled.

There are a few things that help me clear my mind in general. The first being, like others have mentioned, nice calm breathing with closed eyes trying to clear my thoughts and focus on the fun of the game and not stress about winning or losing. The second thing I like to do is put on some fun music and jam out to happy songs; anything fun and peppy that can put me in a happy mood.

To clear my mind, I will probably read a book, listen to music, watch tv, or go for a run, depending on my mood.