Since we are at the start of a new year,  let’s talk about self-care for ourselves as writers. It is so easy to get zoned into our projects when we are on a deadline. It’s easy not to take care of ourselves as we should.  Believe me; I’m there now. I don’t get nearly enough exercise or drink enough water as I should.  However, these are things I’m committed to change in the new year.  There are many things we can do to take care of ourselves as writers, but here are my top 5 top tips for self-care as a writer.

Top 5 Tips For Self Care as a Writer.

1. Get enough exercise-It’s very important to get up and move as a writer. We quickly get tied to our desks or the table in the coffee shop.  Before you start your writing routine, go out and take a ten-minute walk or go to the gym. While you are writing, set a timer to go off every hour and take a ten-minute break. Get up and walk around, put a load of laundry in, walk up and down your stairs.  Moving will help you from being sedentary, as we all know, sitting is the new smoking.

2. Get enough sleep-I am naturally not a night person, but sometimes even I get caught up in scrolling Facebook mindlessly or chatting with my friends until the wee hours. When I do this, I pay for it the next day. I’m tired and groggy and usually have brain fog. Our bodies and minds need sleep to rejuvenate.  Make sure you get enough sleep and even when you don’t feel like going to bed, remind yourself that you are giving your creativity a boost.

3. Stretch– It’s easy for our neck and shoulder muscles to get tensed up while working at our computers.  While you are taking your ten-minute break every hour, stretch your arms and neck muscles.

More Tips For Self Care as a Writer.

4. Drink lots of water-Most writers thrive on caffeine. We are notorious for guzzling several pots of coffee or cans of soda in a sitting. Sure, we can think of that like water, but in reality, our bodies need real water.  It helps keep us hydrated and our bodies working in proper order. I’m going to start with one bottle a day for a week and work up from there. If you’re not a fan of water, add some natural fruit juices to it to make it taste a little better.

5. Eat healthier-Guilty as charged here. I’m a sucker for sweets, especially chocolate.  I love to bake too, so that doesn’t help either. However, I’m going to commit to eating more fruits and vegetables this year.  I plan on keeping healthier snacks in the house, cooking with more vegetables and doing better with portion control.  I am planning on starting my mornings with a smoothie and then if I need a cup of coffee, have it. Since  I only drink decaf (yes I can hear you all laughing out there) my caffeine intake isn’t that bad. Eating healthier will help our minds be as creative as they can be.

If we commit to these tips and practice self-care,  we can all feel better physically throughout the year as writers.