4 Ways to Stay Healthy as a Writer

It’s no secret that the writing life isn’t necessarily an active life. Being a writer means sitting in a chair for hours on end, staring at a computer screen and typing until your eyes blur and your wrists hurt. Not to mention the caffeine and sugar needed to inspire great literary works.

As an author and wellness coach, I’ve learned it takes intentionality to care for myself in the midst of the writing life.

Today I want to share 4 specific ways writers can stay healthy while typing away.

1. Understand your personal health goals.

Why exactly is it important to you to be healthy? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to be able to concentrate during your marathon writing sessions? Are you trying to avoid, reverse, or ease the symptoms of a diagnosis? Do you want to be more at peace with yourself emotionally and spiritually?

By asking yourself these questions, you can pinpoint your personal goals for being healthy. This will then allow you to filter your next decisions accordingly.

2. Give yourself healthy fuel.

As much as caffeine and sugar may fuel your creativity – and might be okay in moderation – they’re not the best solution for long-term energy.

One of the easiest strategies for success is to have pre-prepped healthy snacks on hand that you can grab during a quick writing break.

My favorite options include pre-cut fruits and veggies, cheese slices, Larabars (apple pie is my personal favorite), or dried veggie chips.

3. Stand up and move.

When you’re in the midst of a writing session, it feels counterproductive to step away from the computer. But sometimes that’s exactly what your brain needs for a fresh burst of creativity.

You might want to set a timer every hour or 90 minutes as a reminder. When it goes off, you could take a short walk, do some stretches, or whatever else you enjoy. (If you’re looking for simple, energizing stretch routines, I offer options HERE and HERE.)

4. Protect your schedule.

This might be one of the hardest things to do, especially if you’re squeezing your writing into a full list of commitments. But stress management is just as important as diet and exercise when it comes to staying healthy.

If every hour of every day is committed somewhere, you’re missing out on the physical and mental fuel your body needs from relaxation.

Take a hard look at your schedule and ask if it’s realistic to continue at your current pace. Is there something that needs to be released? Where can you block off time to rest or have fun with friends and family?

These activities are crucial not only for a healthy body but also to keep your creativity alive.

The writing life may be sedentary, but it doesn’t have to keep you from taking care of yourself. By understanding your goals, giving yourself the right fuel, moving more, and protecting your time, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your physical and writing goals.

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Prayers for Hope and Healing, leave a comment below answering: What's one thing you do to stay healthy?

Have fun, and stay the course!

Sarah Forgrave is an author and wellness coach who loves inspiring others toward their full potential. In addition to her book, Prayers for Hope and Healing (Harvest House, October 2017), her writing credits include contributions to The Gift of Friendship, Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer, and the webzine Ungrind. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to shop at Trader Joe’s or spend time with her husband and two children in their Midwest home. Visit Sarah at www.sarahforgrave.com, or at the following sites: