Healthy Writer Habits

by Susan U. Neal RN, MBA, MHS @SusanNealYoga

To be effective as writers we need to take care of our physical and spiritual health. Studies prove physical activity improves one’s well-being. Unfortunately, writing is sedentary. The following seven tips will ensure you maintain balance in these areas.

• Do morning devotions—it is essential to spend time in God’s word. A morning devotion helps you connect with the Lord and puts him first. We shouldn’t get too busy serving him that we neglect our one-on-one time relating with him.

• Workout in morning—before you get settled into your writing chair, perform a fifteen-minute workout. Stretch, take a walk, or lift some free weights. It doesn’t matter what you do, but move your body before becoming sedentary.

• Buy an ergonomical writing chair—if you are a writer, you spend an excessive amount of time sitting in a chair. Is your chair comfortable? Is your computer at a level that is appropriate for you? If you answered no, invest in an ergonomically correct writing chair. I purchased one with a movable computer table attached to the side. I can move the small tabletop over my lap at an appropriate level to type on my computer. 

• Look outside—after you begin working, it is beneficial to look out the window, a couple of times an hour. Change your focus from your screen to nature. Take a moment to pause, reflect, and pray—ask God to help you with your writing.

• Change positions—a couple of times a day get out of your chair and work in a different location. When you are reading a document on your computer, place your laptop on a tabletop surface the height of a bar and lift free weights while you’re reading. In between your repetitions, you can move the screen to the next page. 

• Read in the sun—if you have printed reading material, go outside and sit in the sun for twenty to thirty minutes to absorb some natural vitamin D. Or you could lay on the couch and read.

• Go for a walk—around three or four o’clock, when your mind becomes clouded, go for a short walk. A simple fifteen to twenty-minute walk will improve your energy and restore your clarity of mind.

The writing life can be extremely inactive. We have to incorporate movement and time with God into our daily routine. Simple habits such as these will help you to be more productive, physically active, and put God first.

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Susan U. Neal, RN, MBA, MHS

Susan’s mission is to improve the health of the body of Christ. She has her RN and MBA degrees, as well as a master’s in health science. She is a CERTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACH with the American Association of Christian Counselors. She published five books, the Selah award winner 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, CHRISTIAN STUDY GUIDE FOR 7 STEPS TO GET OFF SUGAR AND CARBOHYDRATES, HEALTHY LIVING JOURNAL, SCRIPTURE YOGA a #1 Amazon best-selling yoga book, and YOGA FOR BEGINNERS which ranked #3. She published two sets of Christian Yoga Card Decks and two Christian Yoga DVDs that are available at CHRISTINAYOGA.COM. Her digital product HOW TO PREVENT, IMPROVE, AND REVERSE ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA is a great resource. To learn more about Susan visit her website SUSANUNEAL.COM You can also connect with Susan on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.