Tips for Staying Healthy as a Writer

Writing is hard work but you do it sitting down. Hours on your tush may be great for your word count but it can spell trouble for your health. Below are some tips for staying healthy while you write.

1) Establish a Daily Exercise Habit -  Pick an activity that you like, one you are likely to stick with and make it a part of your daily routine. The first thing I do every morning is go for a walk in my very hilly neighborhood or I put in one of my The Firm DVDs and pump some iron. I do it before I do anything else, that way I won't make excuses later in the day for why I can't exercise. Don't think of exercise as grueling but as a chance to clear your mind and think. Sometime, the best ideas come to me when I'm out walking, and the fresh air and sunshine energizes me.

2) Control the Food That Comes Into the House - You won't eat what you don't buy. If chocolate is your weakness, and you know you won't stop at one Hershey's Kiss, then don't buy them. You are in charge of what you eat.

The same goes for having quick but healthy options on hand for meals. When a deadline looms, it's easy to order a pizza because you don't have time for much else. However, having an easy Crock-Pot recipe or two to fall back on can save the day. Here is one for white bean chicken chili that is super easy and one of my favorites.

Throw the food in the Crock Pot in the morning and by dinner you'll have a homemade and healthy meal waiting for you and your family. If you forget to start the Crock Pot (I've done that), then have some quick cooking but healthy options in the freezer. Costco's frozen spinach ravioli is one item that I love, and it's a lot healthier than takeout. Spaghetti is another good option. A box of noodles and a jar of sauce are shelf stable and a lifesaver when you haven't been to the store in a while.







3) Drink More Water - I keep a Cool Gear cup with a lid beside my computer when I'm working. The lid keeps me from spilling anything on my laptop and the water allows me to stress binge without adding any calories. Also, having to get up on a regular basis to refill the cup means I get much needed steps throughout the day. I add lemon or carbonate it to give it some flavor.

4) Get Out of the House - This is important for your mental health. Writing can be a very solitary experience, and while it's fun to talk to the characters in your head, you need to talk to real people too. You also need to talk to non-writers and indulge in non-wring activities. Not only will it make your life well rounded but it will increase your creativity and add the depth of life experience to your writing. One thing I do outside of writing is Karate. It keeps me active, helps me focus, and gets me out of the house.

5) Find What Works for You - Everything I listed above works for me but it may not work for you. Find an exercise you enjoy and make it a part of your daily routing. Discover some quick and easy healthy foods and keep them on hand. Play with adding things to your water until you find a taste that suites you. Pick non-writing activities that you enjoy and then indulge in them. Whatever you do, take care of yourself. Finding ways to stay healthy will help you become a happier and more productive writer.

If you enjoyed these tips, then check out my books because they are a great way to help you relax.