We Write Fantasy

A common theme among authors is so much to do, so little time. Even if most of it is self-imposed, we feel overworked, over-stressed, and understaffed. You’re in this for the long haul, so small changes to make it a better experience can go a long way toward your productivity and overall satisfaction.

Many of us are not aware of exactly how physical health can affect our mental health and so many other aspects of our lives, but certainly we’ve all heard “eat healthy and exercise” as a general advice somewhere along the line.

Learning that nutrition does not only affect the waistline but also hits you right in the productivity might give you pause.

Food is fuel and if you are putting junk in, your engine is going to start to break down. Sleep restores so if you skip it, you’re not rebuilding and repairing vital muscles (and your brain.) That’s saying nothing of mental health, which can cripple productivity when it goes wrong. If you aren’t taking notice of how you care for yourself, poor nutrition alone can lead to some of the following issues:

• lack of concentration/brain fog
• mental and physical fatigue
• irritability
• depression
• additional stress or a lack of the ability to deal with it well
• lack of willpower or decision making skills (making it harder to get out of the cycle)
• sleep issues

With two full time jobs and family responsibilities, I’ve often used the excuse, “I don’t have time to exercise and eat right.” But the truth is, staying healthy gives you that time back. You’ll have more energy, rest better, and think more clearly. You’ll get more done, and you’ll do it well.

Proper nutrition and exercise can keep your brain and body up to the task.

Afterall, don’t you want to live long enough to write all those books in your To Be Written pile…

If you’re looking to up your word count, produce better work, or just simply stop feeling the fatigue and stresses of a desk life, try out some of these tips:

• stay hydrated, preferably with water (not sugary drinks or loads of caffeine)
• take scheduled breaks (set a timer if need be) to stretch or go for a walk
• consider a standing desk
• try out some healthier writing snack alternatives
• pre-plan or prepare good for your meals and snacks so you won’t be tempted
• read food labels (you may be eating a lot less healthy than you realize)
• remember to breathe
• remember why you’re doing it
• be aware of your choices and how they will affect your goals

Watch for an upcoming post on mental health tips and writing anxiety, and let us know if you tried any of these out–and how they worked!

In Case You Missed It