3 Simple Self-Care Habits Every Writer Needs

From Edie: Writers spend hours sitting and staring at screens, which can take a toll on the body. Discover three simple self-care habits—hydration, movement, and protecting your eyes—that help writers stay healthy and productive.

3 Simple Self-Care Habits Every Writer Needs

by Larry J. Leech II @LarryJLeechII

I absolutely love this time of year. Love it. Love it. Love it.

Conference season is underway. My mom has a birthday this month. So does a niece. I do as well. And spring finally … finally … arrives.

On the flip side, I am painfully reminded that I’m not as young as I used to be. Grrr. Aching joints. Diminishing eyesight. Inability to consume 4,000 calories a day. Sure, laugh. It’s true. And sad. At least for me.

I can’t eat six heaping plates of food at a buffet-style restaurant. Or order two meals off a menu. Yup. Did that in my twenties. Server scoffed and said they didn’t believe I would eat both meals. Yup. I did. 

I’m not here to brag or reminisce about my eating habits. Maybe another time. 

Not being a ‘spring chicken’ anymore, I’ve learned that I must take care … of me. That might sound selfish. It’s not. We know that, well, hopefully do. We can’t help others if we don’t take care of ourselves. Many of us who write and read these blogs probably spend a lot of time sitting in a chair. For long stretches of time. To the point we are frustratingly stiff.

In the wonderful words of Jack Sparrow, “Not good, not good.”

Self-care has become a buzz word in recent years. For good reason. The owner of this blog site has a book about self-care for writers. Worth a read. Definitely worth a read.

Instead of rehashing her thoughts and suggestions, I will skim though three quick-hitters of mine.

3 Important Self-Care Habits for Writers

My first … hydrate. 

That’s a tough one for me. True confession—I don’t like water. Too bland. And doesn’t feel good on my throat. I like tasty, creamy drinks. Hence, my favorite from the renowned coffee shop with the iconic mermaid. But we, yes we, need to hydrate. Lot of bad things happen to our bodies when we don’t.

My second … stop reading.

Seriously. Get up and move your body. The older I get … oh, I so dislike writing those words … the more I need to get out of my chair and move. Sometimes to visit the fridge to see what I can eat. Most of the time, though, I exit my home office to see my wife who also works from home. So, really my second suggestion is ‘move’ your body. Dance. Walk. Run. Just move.

My third … limit screen time.

I’m sure some laughed at that one. I did when I wrote it. Limiting screen time for someone who spends eight or more hours a day in front of screen just isn’t an option. But, somehow, someway, you gotta protect those eyes. Eye drops have become a necessity in my self-care arsenal. 

Those are my three suggestions. Your three might be different. Feel free to share yours in the comments below.

TWEETABLE

3 Simple Self-Care Habits Every Writer Needs from @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Usually with a hot beverage nearby, Larry J. Leech II spends his days working with words—as a writing coach of award-winning authors, as well as Acquisitions Editor and Master Book Coach for Illumify Media. More than forty years ago, Larry started his career as a sportswriter in southwestern Pennsylvania where he covered prep sports, college sports, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. In 2004, after 2,300 published articles, Larry shifted to book publishing. Since that time, he has ghostwritten thirty books, edited more than 450 manuscripts, and coached hundreds of authors through the writing and publication process. For nearly two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. When he has a minute, Larry likes to hang out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find out more about him on his website: larryleech.com.