by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Writers are often stalked by a predator called stress. It’s a nasty disorder that can cause headaches, back and body pain, nausea, depression, problems in relationships, and a host of other physical and mental ailments. Not a pleasant malady.
The causes of stress are as many as how it manifests in our bodies. We get ourselves into an overwhelmed mode with edits, harsh critiques, rejections, writer’s block, looming deadlines, and self-imposed perfection. Who wants to deal with misery if there’s a solution?
These tips to reduce stress may also improve your physical and mental disposition.
Writers Can Reduce Stress with These 21 Tips
1. Remember why writing first excited you. Post it near your computer.
2. Accept you’re not perfect.
3. Determine rejections are redirections. Turndowns are of the manuscript, not the writer.
4. Get outside and enjoy nature.
5. Take a walk.
6. Eat a healthy diet. We are what we eat.
7. Journal the emotions that coincide with your stress.
8. Understand stress is a normal reaction, and it does help us accomplish great things.
9. Take a nap. Sleep deprivation solves nothing.
10. Learn how to say no. This means in your professional and personal life.
11. Schedule relaxation times. Read or enjoy a hobby.
12. Delegate tasks. Writer, no one expects us to be workhorses.
13. Consider a social media break.
14. Breathe in and out to calm yourself.
15. Determine when you write best: morning, afternoon, or evening.
16. List your priority of projects.
17. Pray. God gave you the gift of writing, and He will help you through the downtimes.
18. Practice laughing, a huge belly laugh.
19. Plan a getaway or retreat.
20. Try writing in a different spot.
21. Listen to soothing music.
We are fortunate to have the finest career on the planet. We create worlds out of words, love from a single smile, happiness from a touch, and friendships from unlikely people. A strong writer refuses to allow stress to destroy the art of communicating through the written world
What tip can you offer to avoid stress?
TWEETABLE
She is the former director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson. Connect here: DiAnnMills.com
Featured Image: Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
I write for a living, so NOT writing is a non-negotiable part of my weekly Sabbath. Taking one full day out of seven away from the deadlines and writing-associated pressures makes a huge difference. I do spend time that day thanking God for the gift of writing, and if any ideas to solve writing problems pop into my head —as they often do when I know I’m free of the pressure of solving them for one day—I give thanks and jot down a note to help me remember and go back to my day of rest. This also gives me time for other restorative things, like taking a walk, reading for enjoyment, and my favorite—naps!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your stress reducer! God always gives us what we need.
DeleteThank you, DiAnn, for the great list. I'm so glad someone mentioned taking the Sabbath off. I also enjoy the day of rest, a sanctuary in time.
DeleteI have a note on my computer that says "PRAY FIRST". I am thankful to be able to take my writing concerns and joys to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteWonderful article, DiAnn. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips.
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestions! Thank you DiAnn :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I'm a firm believer in your 18th suggestion. Laughter is indeed a good medicine. Research has shown that a faked laugh has as much physical and mental benefit as a sincere laugh. So, even if you don't have anything to laugh about laugh any way. It has such healing properties!
ReplyDelete