These days, it seems everyone wants a piece of my time. Not only do I have a day job, but I have a family, a house to clean, books to write, and the inordinate time-suck that is social media. Some days, I’m amazed my head isn’t literally spinning on my shoulders. Authors, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. It’s tough enough being a work-from-home author, but when you add in chores, families, appointments, day jobs, and the vast black hole of the Internet, things sure get hairy, don’t they?
This sort of crazy can easily lead to burnout, which I’ve been dealing with off and on for some time. It definitely makes writing the next book a challenge.
One Step (or Stand) at a Time
I often have to remind myself, when things get too hectic, to breathe. Nothing beats a deep belly breath for easing tension you didn’t even know your body was building up. For that matter, your body might have been silently telling you, for the last couple hours, to move as well.
If you’re lucky enough to have a standing desk, change its height so you can stand while writing. I have one, and I adore it because I’m on my feet all day at my day job, so it’s the most comfortable for me. Standing burns more calories than sitting, and if you’re fortunate to have good knees, hips, and feet, it’s a great way to burn passive calories. (I highly recommend an anti-fatigue mat even if you’re in great shape.) This way, you don’t feel guilty for “not moving” all day, because you’re getting some exercise.
If you don’t own a standing desk, you can prop your keyboard on a lap tray to raise your working height. If none of this is doable, try setting a timer to remind you to move, stretch, grab a drink of water, or take a short walk. Any motion is good motion!
Get Out
Feeling frazzled? Get outside. The benefits of fresh air and sunshine can’t be overstated. If you have a laptop, bring it out to the deck, porch, or balcony, or head to a local park. Even a writing sprint at the coffee shop can be beneficial for the senses. A change of scenery is good stimulation, and can help relieve some of the mental fatigue that comes with those long writing marathons (my favorite is my local Starbucks).
Pet Therapy
If you’re having a day, take some time out to commiserate with your pet. My dog has gotten me through some of the worst times in my life. Pets are nonjudgmental, even if you hate the living daylights out of that scene you just wrote.
Recalibrate and Return
After trying a few of these tips to destress, I hope you’re feeling more relaxed and ready to get back to writing (or any of the other tasks on your list). Just remember to take it one task at a time. Hang in there, Writer!
