Writing can be taxing on both your mental and physical health due to the sedentary and isolative nature of the craft. Becoming a proficient writer involves discipline, self-care, and mindfulness. A balanced and fulfilling lifestyle is key to enhancing your creativity and productivity. Hone your writing skills while optimizing your overall health and well-being through the adoption of these lifestyle practices.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is vital to brain function and cognitive performance. A few studies have established an association between diet and academic achievement.1
As writers, we may be tempted to reach for snacks and highly processed foods that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium, such as chips, sodas, and chocolate bars. High intake of such foods, along with being detrimental to your body, has negative effects on the brain.2
Healthier alternatives include dates, oranges, nuts, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and not to mention coffee3,4 (though as a writer, you are probably already a caffeine addict anyway).
Practicing mindful eating helps writers stay alert and focused during plotting or drafting sessions.
Fitness
A lot of people in today’s age are accustomed to spending most of their day sitting in front of a screen.5 Writers, especially those who hold a full-time office job, are susceptible to the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle.
Along with maintaining physical fitness and mitigating your risk of developing certain diseases,5 exercise is critical to improving memory, mood, and motivation and reducing anxiety and depression.6 Individuals with active lifestyles, in fact, demonstrated higher levels of creativity compared to those with sedentary lifestyles, according to one study.7
Fitness goals vary from person to person. Engaging in physical activities as simple as walking or standing on one leg on a regular basis is enough to make a difference. Writers should consider taking ‘active breaks’ during writing sessions.8 For example, you may write in bursts of 25 minutes, with 5 minutes of push-ups or walking in between.
Social
Writing requires intense concentration and an environment with minimum distractions. As such, writers may feel the need to shut themselves off from society for at least a few hours to focus on their craft. It is important, however, to carve out some time for leisurely activities with friends and family.
Loneliness and social isolation are linked with a higher risk of serious medical conditions, including heart failure and dementia.9
A casual get-together or a weekend getaway provides much-needed relaxation, emotional support, new perspectives, and inspiration for ideas. You may also connect with other fellow writers by attending writing workshops and book clubs as well as participating in online and in-person writing communities.
Conclusion
Prioritizing your health and well-being is essential to sustaining your creativity, productivity, and overall quality of life. By adopting mindful eating habits, incorporating regular physical activity, and nurturing social connections, writers maintain a balanced lifestyle that supports their craft. As you continue pursuing your creative writing endeavors, be sure to prioritize self-care and embrace a holistic approach to literary success.
Sources cited:
1Burrows, Tracy L., Megan C. Whatnall, Amanda J. Patterson, and Melinda J. Hutchesson. “Associations between Dietary Intake and Academic Achievement in College Students: A Systematic Review.” MDPI, September 25, 2017. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/5/4/60.
2Elliott, Brianna. “8 Proven Health Benefits of Dates.” Healthline, October 13, 2022. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-dates#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2.
3Jennings, Kerri-Ann. “11 Best Foods to Boost Your Brain and Memory.” Healthline, March 13, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-brain-foods.
4“Loneliness and Social Isolation — Tips for Staying Connected | National Institute on Aging.” National Aging Institute, July 11, 2024. https://www-nia-nih-gov.translate.goog/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-staying-connected?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=hi&_x_tr_hl=hi&_x_tr_pto=tc.
5Mandl, Elise. “The 7 Worst Foods for Your Brain.” Healthline, March 14, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/worst-foods-for-your-brain.
6“Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 12, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/features/boost-brain-health.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnccdphp%2Fdnpao%2Ffeatures%2Fphysical-activity-brain-health%2Findex.html.
7Sharma, Ashish, Vishal Madaan, and Frederick D Petty. “Exercise for Mental Health.” Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, April 15, 2006. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/.
8Votel, Kaitlyn. “Health Risks of a Sedentary Lifestyle and How to Make Changes.” HealthPartners Blog, August 27, 2024. https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/health-risks-of-sedentary-lifestyle/.9Wood, Johnny. “Exercise Not Only Helps with Mental Health – It Makes Us More Creative Too, Say Scientists.” World Economic Forum, February 23, 2021. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/02/exercise-mental-health-creativity/.
9Wood, Johnny. “Exercise Not Only Helps with Mental Health – It Makes Us More Creative Too, Say Scientists.” World Economic Forum, February 23, 2021. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/02/exercise-mental-health-creativity/.
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