Are You a Healthy
Writer?
As a freelance editor, it’s common for me to spend up to
twelve hours a day at my workstation. No real surprise in that, you might
think, especially if you’re a writer slogging through your day to develop your
novel into something that has the legs to take it out into the big, bad,
self-publishing world.
As writers, editors, etc., spending hours at your keyboard
is par for the course. It’s what we do and, to be honest, it’s not something we
complain about. No too much, anyway. No, the problem is how detrimental such a
sedentary regime is to our overall health. How many of you are battling with
your weight? What about all those back and muscle issues you’ve developed since
you became what equates to a full-time writer? Have you had to struggle against
the darkness due to heightened stress levels?
I’ve always been a physically active individual. I like cake
a bit too much so recognised the importance of getting out there to keep the
‘happy inches’ off, and more times than not I succeeded in keeping relatively
trim and healthy.
That all changed when I became a freelance editor. With no
shortage of work, it wasn’t too long before I discovered that my favourite
clothes weren’t fitting me as comfortably as they used to. And because the
workload was constant, I found that I now had to drag myself out to get a bit
of fresh air and light, never mind actual physical activity.
I thought I was doing okay, getting out most days, even if
it was just to scoot over to the shops, or to sit on a bench at the river and
watch the swans and ducks doing their wonderful thing. But building the
business was the priority and my full focus slipped from myself to my work. A
week after Christmas, my partner and I weighed ourselves, and it was with shock
that I realised the weight had just piled on during the past year - I was a
stone and a half overweight.
That was a month ago. My workload is still heavy, but now
I’m adamant that I get active at least once every day. I’m up and out before
7.30 each morning, pushing through a five mile power walk through the local
woods and along the lake that ends in a pretty serious stretching routine. Once
I’m showered I get down to work, but now I ensure that I take a few minutes
break every half hour or so where I walk through my house, stretching and
bending (and making tea) and doing my eye exercises.
Instead of sitting all day, I now spend every second hour
standing, with my laptop on a sturdy pile of books on my kitchen table (got
that great idea from a writing friend who almost seized up from too much
sitting). I move from my trusty armchair at my favourite window to my kitchen,
and back again, getting my stretches and shoulder rolls in as I go,
guaranteeing a solid flow of activity through my working day.
Best of all, I’ve cut back on my working schedule and now
have a few hours to enjoy socially each evening. I love my work, but life’s way
too short not to have that bit of time for yourself and your loved ones. And
best of all, I’ve lost several pounds each week – some more than others – and
many of my favourite clothes no longer evoke groans of discomfort.
Because writing and editing require constant high focus,
it’s essential to control stress that we might not always be aware of. I’m a
laid back kind of guy. I’m into things that encourage me to chill out, which is
why I’ve joined a tai-chi class, a discipline I practised years ago but allowed
fall by the wayside. It’s the best thing I’ve done in years. I’m so relaxed
after it, I almost don’t know myself, and I’d recommend it to anyone who spends
much of their day at their computer. It not only stretches the body in a gentle
way, it also invigorates the internal elements.
As a writer/editor/artist, do you keep physically active to
ensure you remain relatively fit? Have you any tips you’d like to share below?
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