People think writing is fun and easy but what many don’t know is the stress writers go through. Daily, most writers experience pressure, writer’s block, social isolation, rejection, and imposter syndrome, often leading to mental and physical stress. However, effective stress management strategies will enable you to live a healthy life while pursuing your passion as a professional writer.
In this article, we’ll discuss key strategies for effective stress management.
Tips for Managing Stress
Below are some techniques to help writers stay calm and focused.
Create a Structured Writing Routine
Establishing a standard writing schedule is one of the most helpful strategies for managing stress. Writers who fail to plan their work lifestyle will face the challenge of excess workload and multitasking which can affect their health. Creating a writing routine involves planning your daily, weekly, and monthly activities as a writer. Break down your writing tasks and projects into bits based on priority. Also, incorporate timing for other personal activities including breaks and family time in your writing routine. This will enable you to have a life outside your writing career. Hence, you do not have to work round the clock to avoid stress and eventual breakdown.
Take Regular Breaks and Exercise
As earlier mentioned, incorporating a break period into your writing routine helps to reduce stress. Take some time away from your work desk and have some rest. You can use your free time to take a nap, chat with family and friends, take a walk, or do some chores. This enables you to calm your nerves, rest your eyes, and re-energize your brain. Regular exercise also helps to reduce stress. It acts as a mood booster and enhances creativity.
Leverage Assistive Software and Administrative Tools
Taking advantage of some writing assistive tools is very paramount irrespective of your writing prowess. Rather than trying to perform all aspects of the writing projects by yourself, a few assistive software can be quite helpful. Writing tools like note-taking apps, grammar and spelling checkers, and bookmarking extensions boost editing productivity and research optimization. Automating writing tasks with good technologies in place reduces stress and makes your work easier, faster, and of better quality.
Create a Comfortable Writing Space
Most writers may experience stress due to an inconducive work environment. As a writer, lying in bed or sitting on the couch to work will lead to back aches, waist pain, eye strain, and muscle aches. Setting up a good office space with a chair and desk will help your sitting posture. You’ll need a quiet, well-ventilated, and decorated space for your work. A conducive and comfortable workspace helps you stay calm and focused and boosts creativity for a smooth writing journey.
Stop Striving to Be Perfect
Burying your head over a single job to pick out all your errors will stress you out. Your writing doesn’t have to be perfect from the onset. So, quit being too particular about the grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors while writing. It will only distract the flow of ideas, keep you at a fix, and weigh you down. First, understand that you have a unique writing style and even if you are not too good at your craft, you’ll do better in no time. Again, leave the editing till you are done with the project, then you can dedicate time to revising and making corrections.
Celebrate Yourself Always
With the millions of writers scattered across the world, you are obviously in the midst of competitors. Nevertheless, do not try to compare yourself or your work with that of others. Remain focused on your craft, celebrate every win, and be happy with yourself. Whether you finished writing a chapter, editing an entire book, or receiving an award, they are all wins alike. Any milestone achieved is an opportunity to celebrate, whether big or small. Happiness eliminates boredom and stress.
Seek Help and Support
It’s always said that ‘No man is an Island.’ Even so, you need the support of others as a writer. Do not hesitate to reach out to people when you need help. You may wish to talk to family, friends, colleagues, or writing coaches when you are at your breaking point, emotionally or otherwise. Also, you could reach out to counsellors or therapists depending on your need. Additionally, being a part of writing communities or attending workshops are ways to get support and mental relief.
Conclusion
Managing stress is very essential to scaling heights in the writing world and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can enjoy a stress-free writing habit by cultivating the strategies described here. However, an intentional and practical approach towards work-life balance is a major key to dealing with stress. Ensure to care for yourself despite your work demands.
Written by Emily Cyril