How to keep yourself positive and sane as a writer by Words Worth Reading Ltd
Writing can sound like an idyllic job, but in reality it is hugely stressful; particularly if you are trying to balance your love for writing with another paid job, family commitments, housework and social arrangements. Coming home to a pile of rejection letters after an 8-hour stint in the office followed by watching your son's football match and taking your daughter to ballet can be, understandably, hugely de-motivating.
It is important that as a writer you keep your emotional and mental wellbeing looked after. Keeping yourself fit in both body and mind will not only help you stay focused and positive in the face of rejection and frustration, but it will also help you sleep better, and improve the overall performance of your writing.
Listed below are some tips and ideas to help writers keep themselves positive, healthy and sane as they juggle the ups and downs of being a writer.
1. Relieve your stresses
a. Remember to keep focused on the here and now. One of the easiest ways to drift into a depressive, stressed state is to fixate on things that have happened in the past. Whilst there is of course a place for understanding why certain things may have happened in the past, ultimately the past is the past, and there is nothing that you can do to influence events that have gone by. So try to remain in the present day, and think about the things that you can do to improve your writing opportunities now; don't focus on missed opportunities from before.
b. Meditate. Meditation is great for clearing your mind and helping you become more relaxed and focused. Lots of part-time writers find that a meditation session before and after their scheduled writing slot helps clear the mind sufficiently to focus on the writing task at hand, but that also helps clear the mind of all writing related thoughts at the end of the writing session, which can help them sleep more peacefully.
2. Eat well
a. To produce good writing you need to ensure that your brain is performing at its peak. Your diet affects how your brain works, and how your overall mood is at any given time. To ensure that your mind is as sharp as possible, and your mood is as positive as possible, focus on eating a balanced, wholesome diet; wholegrains, oily fish, poultry, meat, low-fat diary, fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, olive oil and lots of water.
3. Exercise
a. Exercise is one of those activities that can seem so unappealing initially. When you have a writing deadline to meet, or when you are tired and weary from the day the last thing you feel like doing is a little exercise. Yet the saying 'exercise breads energy' is true, and so it is important to include exercise into your daily routine, even when you really don't feel like it! Exercise doesn't always have to be strenuous; a stroll with the dog around the park or a little garden weeding can make a big difference to your energy levels, your productivity and your mood.
4. Find a way to sleep well
a. Get outdoors during the day. Fresh air is crucial to keeping you awake during the day…which in turn will help you sleep better at night
b. Don't let yourself be too full or too hungry when you go to sleep
c. Follow a regular bedtime routine
d. Avoid drinking too much alcohol just before you go to bed
e. Don't go to bed if you aren't tired. If you haven't drifted to sleep within 20 minutes of going to bed, get up and do something relaxing, such as reading. Then return to bed when you feel sleepy again.
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