Certain products for writers become critical to our daily work.
You may have a special pen that you sign your books with, for example, or a laptop that you can’t be without.
But then there are products lend themselves particularly well to the winter months. When the cold, dark days drag on seemingly forever, we writers need a little extra support to keep plugging away at our stories.
Below are seven products that may help you through the season.
Winter Products for Writers 1. A Bright Light Box
It’s usually not until January that I pull mine out, but once I do, I tend to use it several times a week through the month of February and sometimes in March as well.
A light box or therapy lamp like the one I talk about in this video is specially made to treat the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is a condition brought about by long, gray days without a lot of natural light. (Typical winter days in many areas.)
The days are shorter, meaning even when there is sunlight, it doesn’t last long. If you work a day job, you can go several days hardly seeing the sun at all.
This lack of exposure to sunlight is thought to be linked to certain chemical changes in the brain that can lead to symptoms like lethargy, mood changes, and even depression. You may find yourself wanting to sleep more often, withdrawing from social activities, experiencing more headaches, or even feeling more irritable than usual.
Getting outside when the sun is shining can help. When you can’t do that, looking into a therapy lamp for 20-30 minutes is a good substitute. Make sure the lamp has provides an exposure to 10,000 lux of light while producing as little UV rays as possible to avoid damaging your eyes.
You can find some recent recommendations here.
2. Hand Warmers
Some days even if the house feels warm, my hands can be too cold and stiff to type easily.
My mom got me a pair of hand warmers several years ago and I still use them because they are so helpful. Within just a few minutes of putting them on, my hands feel warm again.
I wrote about hand warmers in a previous Writing and Wellness post. There are many different types available that you can try. I have sampled several, but I have to say that the ones my mom found at a local farmer’s market have been the best.
You can also check out the Writer’s Glove designed by fellow writer Ben Sobieck.
Winter Products for Writers 3. Standing Desk Option
The sedentary lifestyle isn’t good for your health. Because of that, many writers have opted for a standing desk.
Scientific studies have found, however, that standing all the time can be just as bad for you as sitting all the time. Whereas too much sitting is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, overweight, and diabetes, too much standing can cause circulation problems in your legs and lead to hip and foot pain.
That doesn’t mean that you should give up trying. In the winter especially, when we naturally reduce our activity levels, the best option is to incorporate more movement into your days.
One way to do that is to have a standing desk option that you can use part of the time and a good supportive chair the other part of the time.
I have an inexpensive plastic stand for my computer along with a metal keyboard stand. The two together cost me less than $75. I use them when I want to stand up, which is for at least a couple hours every day.
There are a wide range of standing desk options available out there you can choose from. But I would urge you—particularly if you write for several hours a day, or spend several hours a day at the computer—to give yourself a way to switch back and forth. It will help keep aches and pains and potentially winter weight gain at bay.
4. Foldable Treadmill
I have a full-sized treadmill that I use for regular workouts, but a busy schedule and a cold basement (!) sometimes work together to derail my workout plans.
I’ve been looking for a more convenient solution to add to my exercise options. I think that solution is a foldable treadmill.
I wrote about avoiding treadmill desks in a previous post, which may seem contradictory, but stay with me here. Treadmill desks do work for some people, but I find it difficult to do any real focused writing/typing while walking or jogging.
On top of that, most treadmill desks cost a thousand dollars or more. If you don’t already have a regular treadmill, it might be worth it for you, but you can usually get a regular one (sans desk) for less than you’d spend on a treadmill desk.
BUT, there are foldable treadmills out there that look like they could be good stand-ins for those days when you have only a few minutes between tasks to get moving.
These are smaller, less expensive treadmills you can fold up and put out of sight when you need to. You can place them near your writing nook so you can use them whenever you get a few minutes, or even stick them under your desk for some slow walking while you post to social media or create new graphics.
Many offer a fold-up tray where you can put your cell phone or tablet, and some even have a fold-up desk option. They’re not built for heavy running, but more for getting you moving in between your other activities.
I’m going to try one of these as soon as I can and I’ll report back. Meanwhile, let us know if you have one how it’s worked for you!
Winter Products for Writers 5. Cup Warmer
I tend to sip on a cup of coffee or tea while writing, which means my beverage often gets cold. It helps to have a couple of cup warmers around.
I highly recommend this one. It keeps your beverage really warm (unlike others that simply keep it lukewarm).
I’ve also had it for over five years now and it’s still working great. Do keep it away from children and pets as it could burn them.
6. Blue-Light Blocking Glasses
We often spend more time on our computers, tablets, and phones during the winter because we’re not outside as much. Blue light emanating from these devices can cause wear and tear on our eyes over time.
Some studies have indicated that long-term exposure to blue light from our digital devices may damage photoreceptor cells in the eyes, potentially increasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
We need more research to understand exactly how our eyes are responding to our daily use of technological gadgets. Meanwhile, blue light blocking glasses can help.
When I renewed my prescription a couple of years ago, I added this protection to the lenses and I’ve been thrilled with the results. My eyes don’t feel as dry, tight, or tired at the end of the day.
There are also filters and vitamins that can help preserve the health of your eyes.
Winter Products for Writers 7. Something to Look Forward To
It’s amazing how much an anticipated event can help us get through a long, dreary winter.
According to a 2017 study, anticipating future activities has a number of benefits. Results of brain imaging scans showed that people who thought about an event they were looking forward to activated parts of the brain associated with a higher level of well-being.
That means it’s a good idea to schedule something fun for your writerly self now. Register for a writer’s conference, plan a writing retreat, schedule some book signings, or dive into a writing project you can’t wait to get started on, with a plan to finish it by the summer months.
“Having something to look forward to makes you ‘feel good’ and may also give an ‘atmosphere of growth’ to your life, because the future seems bright,” writes author Gretchen Rubin. “Anticipation is a key stage; by having something to look forward to, no matter what your circumstances, you bring happiness into your life well before the event actually takes place. In fact, sometimes the happiness in anticipation is greater than the happiness actually experienced in the moment…”
I’m looking forward to speaking at the Idaho Writers’ Conference in Boise, Idaho in May 2023, plus I’m excitedly working on my final draft before submission of my new novel.
I also have some other interviews and events planned that are keeping me looking forward through these long winter days to when the sun will be shining much more regularly again.
How about you?
What winter writing products do you simply have to have?
Main photo by Coworking Bansko from Pexels.