Taking care of your body while writing a book
NaNoWriMo is coming up, which means that a lot of writers are getting ready to hunker down and put in the hard work. Maybe every month is Novel Writing Month for you. Either way, writing takes a physical toll. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself whilst being productive
1. Replace that fourth cup of coffee with green tea
Coffee is great and it has lots of health benefits as well, but too much of it can spike your heart rate, cause anxiety and lead to insomnia.
I know that writers basically live on caffeine, but you can get an energy boost from green tea too. Green tea also contains caffeine, but provides longer-lasting oomph.
Plus, green tea has lots of other health benefits, such as boosting your immune system, speeding up your metabolism and maintaining oral hygiene.
Read up on green tea and its many benefits here
2. Stretch your neck and back every hour
When that timer goes off, stretch your neck as far as it can go to one side and then to the other. Roll it down in a semi-circle slowly. Rub out any knots. Stretch your arms out above your head. Twist your torso from one side to the other slowly. (You can even crack your back over your chair if youâre not opposed to it)
Itâs also a good idea to release your frown and unclench your jaw, or wiggle your fingers.
Trust me, your body will thank you at the end of the day.
Examples of good stretches to do
3. Go for a walk at least once a day
Assuming that you have access to a safe environment, set out at least half an hour a day to take a walk. This will get your blood flowing, send oxygen to your brain and do wonders for your body in the long-term.
If youâre more inclined towards physical activity than I am, you can go jogging or even go to the gym. Just make sure that you get your body moving and step away from the desk/bed for a while.
What a walk every day can do for you
4. Work at a desk and use a proper desk chair
I know itâs really nice to write in bed or on the couch, but it fucks up your skeleton. The angle will strain your neck, twist your back in unnatural ways and can even cause varicose veins.
If itâs at all possible, try to work at a desk thatâs a good height for you and use a chair that was designed for working long hours. These chairs have full back support and padding so your ass doesnât get numb.
The effects of bad posture
5. Donât compromise your sleep
Often when we have deadlines or really want to get something done, our first sacrifice is sleep. This is the last thing you should be neglecting.
Sleep will rejuvenate your body and your mind. Trust me, youâll have a much better writing day after a good nightâs rest.
Also: try to do something relaxing for at least thirty minutes before going to bed. This will help your brain to shut down and make you sleep better. (Green tea also helps with sleeping)
Lack of sleep has adverse effects on the brain
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