A Writer’s Health and Resolutions

As a writer, how healthy are you? How many days a week do you fall out of bed, stagger to the coffee pot, grab a smoke and then plant yourself in front of the computer? Be honest. Maybe coffee and cigarettes aren’t your vice—maybe it’s a soda and donut—the fact is you’re most likely planting your buns on the work chair instead of getting up working those buns first.

If you’re like me, when you start a new project you develop tunnel vision—you can’t see anything else or do anything else until you get a major chunk of it knocked out—eating healthy goes out the window, being active goes out the window, and unfortunately life is then sustained on caffeine and nicotine.

The sad part is I know several other writers just like me who do the same thing. I only know of two who keep up with their workout routine—one is a health writer and the other is Muldoon. Yes, Blogging Tips very own, Kevin Muldoon. With his busy life-style he still makes it a priority. (Perhaps he’ll share his tips with us one day? hint hint)

I know for a fact when I take care of myself my work is better and I’m more productive. But being human and having this logical brain I often convince myself that I can take a few days and hammer out a new project. The days turn into weeks and I’m still jumping on the computer instead of a treadmill, my jeans are too snug from eating junk at the computer, and that pack of cigarettes is empty again. It’s a vicious cycle. The only healthy habit I seem to keep is my water intake—I do drink half a gallon of water each day—something has to help flush all that junk out of my system.

Today is Sunday, my day off, I should have started the day with some yoga stretches and light aerobics—instead, I have all these ideas running through my head about how unhealthy I’ve let myself get and sharing all these thoughts with the readers and other writers. But the timing is perfect. Everyone will start making those New Year’s resolutions soon. Let’s hope that getting more exercise is on your list.

Let’s look at the definition of a resolution: a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

It takes more than a resolution to get it done—the resolution is simply the intent to do it. To make it happen takes conscious action on your part. So, what can you do? You can start each day stretching, walking, breathing—doing something besides jumping in front of a computer first thing in the morning. Take care of the writer first. The writing will then take care of itself.

Daily affirmations and reminders will help you with your resolutions. If you can’t see your goal posted in front of you on a daily basis, chances are you won’t stick to it. Also, using daily affirmations will inspire you and help keep you motivated.

Put your health ahead of the work this year; it only takes 30 minutes a day but the pay-off is worth much more than that in the long run.

Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/3539161615/

Written by Patti Stafford from Patti Stafford
Posted on December 31st, 2009 and filed under Writing
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