“I still need more healthy rest in order to work at my best. My health is the main capital I have and I want to administer it intelligently.”
~Ernest Hemingway
Writers and other creatives need to stay well to keep producing the work they were meant to do.
How do you write when you have a headache? Paint when your arm or hand hurts? Play when your wrist is sore? Concentrate when your thinking is cloudy?
How do the results compare to those you achieve when you’re feeling your best?
We’ve all heard romantic stories about writers drowning in booze, painters flying high on opium and musicians “feeding the muse” with voracious promiscuity. But in truth, artists burn out on these behaviors every day. Some even die tragic, premature deaths because of them.
Valiantly sacrificing for one’s art may seem heroic and the stuff of good stories, but the truth is, most working artists who stay that way for a lifetime do it by consciously adapting habits that keep them well.
“I want to get old gracefully. I want to have good posture, I want to be healthy and be an example to my children.”
~Sting
Bad health shortens the journey, or at the very least, makes it a lot less pleasant. Yet maintaining good health while answering the call to the artist’s life isn’t easy.
The mission of “Writing and Wellness” is to share information about physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, pulling from scientific study, alternative medicine, expert opinion, and the personal experience of artists from all walks of life.
“There can be no question, my dear Watson, of the value of exercise before breakfast.”
~Sherlock Holmes
Wishing you a sound mind, strong body, and long life with which to create.
Who’s behind Writing and Wellness?
Colleen M. Story is on a mission to inspire people from all walks of life to overcome modern-day challenges and find creative fulfillment. Her latest release, Writer Get Noticed!, was recently named a gold-medal winner in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards for writing and publishing. Her prior nonfiction release, Overwhelmed Writer Rescue, was named Solo Medalist in the New Apple Book Awards, Book by Book Publicity’s Best Writing/Publishing Book, and first place in the 2018 Reader Views Literary Awards.
With over 20 years as a professional in the creative industry, Colleen has authored thousands of articles for publications like “Healthline” and “Women’s Health;” worked with high-profile clients like Gerber Baby Products and Kellogg’s; and ghostwritten books on back pain, nutrition, and cancer recovery. Her literary novel, Loreena’s Gift, was a Foreword Reviews’ INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, an Idaho Author Awards first place winner, and New Apple Solo Medalist winner, among others.
Colleen frequently serves as a workshop leader and motivational speaker, where she helps attendees remove mental and emotional blocks and tap into their unique creative powers. Find more at her motivational site, Writing and Wellness, on her writing career website, Writer CEO, and on her author website, or follow her on Twitter or LinkedIn.
I appreciated the Computer Elbow is Real—10 Tips to Prevent & Relieve Pain post from way back in 2014.
Thanks, Catherine! Yes, it’s amazing how much can happen to us just working at the computer every day.
Hello, I have published my first book. I just can’t seem to get into writing again, as so much has happened since my book came out. My dad passed away, my health hasn’t been good. I do have another book started about 15 chapters, but just can not get into it.
What do you suggest?
Hy, Alyse. Thanks for writing in. My first thought is that it’s natural for you to be struggling after all you’ve been through. I’d recommend allowing yourself the time you need. We often try to rush ourselves back into production. Meanwhile, let your writing take you where it wants to. Maybe some journaling would be helpful, to allow any important feelings to come out and help clear the way for renewed creativity. Also, start doing activities that restore you. Take some time away, listen to music, spend some time in nature. We think these things are indulgent but they’re critical to restoring creative energy. Good luck and don’t worry–the writing will come back!
Congratulations on your book release! Great ideas. Now to apply!
Thanks so much, Anita!
Hi there! I am a writer who is just starting to build a career path and one of the things I noticed was how much weight I gained because of being sedentary in front of a computer. In January I started my fitness journey and have since lost 40lbs. Not only that, but my creative ideas are flowing much better because I make it a point to stay active. I love this site so much. I am going to host a fitness challenge entitled Writing and Wellness to help writers and creatives get moving! Thanks for the inspiration and for reminding us that our “health is the main capital.”
Hi, Jennifer! Wow, congratulations on your weight loss! That’s an awesome accomplishment! Your fitness challenge sounds terrific—let us know when it gets going. And thanks so much for the feedback—so appreciate it!
Applause, Applause…this is an incredible website and the message you impart above so needed by one who MUST commit to something besides sitting and pondering the next string of words..blessings, Marjorie
Hi, Marjorie. Thanks so much for your kind words and support!