Your Body. The Temple.
Creator: Unknown | Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum
It’s 2024.
We can’t afford to feed into silly stereotypes. Your average writer is far from a basement dweller. A greasy-haired hermit writing away in their old Victorian home on the coast of Maine?
Come on now.
Creatives come from all backgrounds. Writing, especially, is an art form that borrows from many cultures, motives, and frameworks.
We also happen to come in all shapes and sizes, which is what I want to expand on today.
Your body. Your bodyyyyyy 🎵
As creative writers, we often submit to the ever-increasing pressure applied by our deadlines and milestone objectives. We write furiously to keep the momentum alive and enrich our catalog. Somehow, we subscribe to the idea that working ten times harder than anyone else will yield a higher reward.
Ha! Check my post about balance so you don’t fall for those dangerous preconceptions (and misconceptions).
But what is one thing as equally important as your mental health? Your physical condition.
Being at a desk for extended hours, striking the keys, and drinking an unhealthy amount of coffee bears consequences. As human beings and living creatures, we were never designed for a sedentary lifestyle. We need socialization, yes, but we also require movement.
Things have gotten worse the past few years, as we’ve met the deadly combo
PANDEMIC + AMERICA + HYPERCONNECTIVITY + FDA (crooks) + CAR-CENTRIC NIGHTMARISH SUBURBIA.
It’s teens out there who can’t walk 8 miles. Jesus.
Anyway, I digress.
Your body is a temple, writers. You need consistent exercise, a healthy diet (with the occasional indulgence), sunlight, and fresh air.
And it is directly correlated to your ability to produce purposeful words. I’ll let you make most of the connections here.
Growing up in Europe and being a former U.S. Army member (back when the job was actually tough), I’ve always led an active lifestyle. I was lucky enough to know what a non-GMO was, what fresh produce and meats taste like. I would walk or commute in public transportation every day, socializing with other passengers and getting my steps in.
Some of us in the U.S. may not be presented with those opportunities.
But remember, we do not fall victim to our circumstances here!
Get moving!
The long-term benefits of healthier standings (pun intended) will drive (and allow) you to write to old age, maintain your focus, and breed new grounds for stronger storytelling.
Here are a few things you can do:
30 minutes of light activity DAILY (this ranges from a walk to a high-intensity workout).
30 minutes of sunbathing, when possible.
If you want to push things further, 3-5 days at the gym, with two rest days per week. Your fitness program will be based on your capabilities, objectives, resources, etc.
Drinking LOTS of water and banning sodas, energy drinks, and flavored water. Invest in a blender or a juicer!
Eating more vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish. You can substitute the last two with protein-rich vegetables and nuts if you have a specific diet.
Taking two 30-minute breaks and a BIG lunch within an 8-hour window. Stretch, stretch, stretch.
Your ability to strengthen your body and improve your overall health has many ramifications: higher self-esteem, sex drive (yes!), better focus, lower medical costs, lower anxiety… and many other small quality-of-life improvements you'll eventually notice.
Those things above can positively affect your career as a writer. Our solitary path and a strong body are not diametrically opposed. They are both part of a life equation that will define you and your gift.
Write on! (And walk on!)
