Most writers are glued to their computer chairs and keyboards for hours at a time. Every day.
We don’t realize how quickly time slips through the day because we’re living another life—that of the character currently walking, talking, breathing, feeling, eating, sleeping... okay, you get what I mean, right? We are the character existing on the screen in front of our eyes.
Those fictional lives pull us in so thoroughly all else in the room, the house (or office)—in the world—vanishes.
And then it happens.
A half hour passes.
An hour. Two. Three.
Suddenly we glance out the window, or at the computer clock and realize half the morning or afternoon or evening has disappeared.
We push slowly out of the chair, stiff and creaky and sore at the wrists and back and thighs and a thousand spots that were fine before we sat down.
It’s not a healthy way to do business. Especially when the news tells us things about how blood clots can develop on long-distance flights and, God forbid, end a person’s life! When I heard that tidbit, I made a HUGE point of exercising as I write. No more sitting statue-still for hours!
So, here are some easy, non-intrusive routines that help me keep the blood flowing and my body moving during my writing hours. Hopefully, they’ll help you, too:
1. Set your oven timer (or watch alarm) every 40 minutes. When the bell rings, use 3-4 minutes to do one of the following:
- toss a load of laundry into the washer or dryer
- get a drink of water
- make a cup of tea or coffee
- go to the washroom
- wander around the house
- take the stairs and look out an upper window
- fold a batch of laundry
- go to the kitchen and eat a piece of fruit (great as natural sugar and energy fix)
- make a bed
- unload the dishwasher
- step onto your porch or deck and breath some fresh air
- tidy a room (remember only 3-4 minutes!)
- do ab crunches, sit-ups, lunges or squats until your calf muscles and quads scream (for me that’s about 2 minutes worth)
- while sitting in your chair, pinch your gluts
- if you’re a yoga fan, do 2 poses
- have a small stool to put your feet on—and off
Before you know it, your subconscious will no longer need the timer. Your body will tell you it’s time for that mini-break.
2. Set aside at least 40-60 minutes of “sweat” exercise 5 days/week.
That means working up a sweat. I don’t mean getting warm, I mean perspiring. On nice days, I jog outdoors. There is nothing like fresh air and hearing a little birdsong en route. On inclement days, I walk/run on the treadmill while watching a TV program. And don’t forget to use the incline as well. Get your body used to climbing; it’s great for your bones as well as circulation! If you don’t have a treadmill, walk briskly around your block. Or walk two blocks. Even better if you have a dog, take it along for company. But get in that “sweat time.”
3. A couple times of week, lift a set of hand weights (3–5 lbs).
You can have these at your desk and when you you’re in that “thinking zone” or need to reread a scene you’ve just written, pick up a weight and work the different muscles in your arms and upper body— triceps, biceps, deltoids, pectorals.
4. Keep a big glass (or bottle) of water at your desk.
Drinking water all day is incredibly healthy because it flushes your system and keeps you from feeling hungry, and...it will get you out of your chair eventually.
Of course, there are dozens of exercises you can do, but these can give you a starting point toward a routine you enjoy. And don’t say, “Yeah, but I hate interruptions when I’m writing.” The simple exercises here are not interruptions. They are interludes that allow you to mull over your story or scene while your body is maintaining its health. So, go ahead. Try a few exercise samples. Chances are, in a couple of weeks, you’ll happily discover that your output in the energy, motivation and writing department has increased!
Mary J. Forbes writes for Silhouette Special Edition. Her next release, His Brother’s Gift, will be in stores July 2007.
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