Why Working Out Is Imperative For Writers And Their Writing

When we talk about writers and the creative life, we rarely talk about their wellness. If anything, brokenness, misery, pain, and being broke are often romanticized. We associate chai and wine with writing, which is all fun! But I wish we had more proactive conversations around writers’ physical and mental health. I want to see more panels at literary conferences on the impact of working out on creativity because the correlation cannot be ignored. Physical activity is good for your brain, aka good for your writing.

For those on the outside, writing appears to be a glamorous profession. I have readers and friends/family ask if the royalty from my 12 books will work towards my retirement plan. I chuckle on the inside and go about my day job and consulting business. So many see authors at author events and pictures of literary celebrations and assume that’s the essence of the writing life—people, wine, photos, chic outfits, and glamor.

Being a writer is a gift indeed. But it’s not the easiest life. The reality is that writing is a sedentary activity and solitary profession. Writers spend the majority of their workday hunched over a laptop or tucked away in front of a notebook while living inside their heads. Sometimes clad in pajamas and perched on their couch; other times, trying to turn invisible at crowded coffee shops. Not every city in the world has dedicated coworking spaces for writers. Fingers tapping the keyboard harshly, pen scribbling in pages, steam from tea/coffee creating a mystical fog, eyebrows furrowing in concentration, hands running over the chin in frustration as well as contemplation. Paralyzed by fears and insecurities…battling anxiety and depression, ruminating over the mystery of human behavior, wondering if they will make rent, contemplating inexpensive eating options, and reliving traumas and uncomfortable scenarios. Well, you get the picture!

There is not much standing up or moving around or stretching of the body happening through the writing process. And, once the writing deadline gets closer, majority of writers ignore the need for social interaction, the body’s need to move, and good night’s sleep. They isolate themselves and live inside their cocoons. None of these choices are good for their health or writing.

Writers can notoriously abstain from exercises. Sitting all day, every day, is dangerous. The neck and shoulders get tight. It can impact your posture as well as creative abilities. The less you sleep, the less chance your body and brain have to heal. There is no arguing that this lifestyle isn’t the best choice to battle writer’s block either.

Ever felt stuck in your writing? Ever noticed that depending on how productive or unproductive your writing day has been, your mood wavers? Ever feel low and lonely at the end of a writing day? Working out can give you fresh perspective on your writing.

Unplug and move. Step away from the distractions of emails, social media, conference calls, grocery lists, household chores, family obligations, and other social commitments. Move. Movement is good for recharging and refreshing our mental pathways. It will bring you creative freedom. I have come up with new creative ideas for projects, character development techniques, dialogues, book titles, promotional partnerships, book endings, essay ideas, marketing and publicity strategies while working out. How you move is your choice: walking, dancing, running, yoga, high-intensity interval training, tai chi, swimming. But do include a good workout in your writing routine because exercise increases blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain.

Scientists have proven the benefits of walking on creative thinking. It can significantly improve certain types of creative cognitive features. Walking can alleviate the free flow of ideas. It’s not just that we get physical health benefits of exercise but also psychological benefits that can’t be overlooked. Walking also encourages the release of the brain chemicals that are responsible for the production of cells in the hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with memory and learning. The hippocampus grows as people get fitter. This, in turn, boosts concentration levels and cognitive ability.

Some studies show that exercise can work quickly to elevate depressed mood in many people. It’s so easy to go into a spiral if you are writing about difficult experiences. It’s like hoping to heal while picking on scabs, you know? I have a writer friend who once confessed, “Unless my partner and I bounce off of walls, I can’t complete any writing projects.” He continued, “Stability is corrosive for my creative process.” But then the chosen chaotic dynamics of his relationship quickly increases stress in his life, which hinders his creativity. Exercise may improve mental health by helping the brain cope better with stress.

An article in the Guardian tells us that a 2010 study put participants through eight weeks of daily yoga and meditation practice. The participants reported a reduction in stress. And their brain scans showed a shrinkage in their amygdala—a brain structure responsible for stress, fear, anxiety and emotions in others. Exercise can have potent effects on our mood. Exercising even moderately boosts endorphin levels, and these feel-good chemicals protect our brains and bodies while reducing risk of depression. For example, a simple yoga practice can calm your mind. It can help build awareness and open you up to creative inspiration. Yoga can also help reduce stress, improve the quality of your sleep, lower anxiety, and increase the flow of creative juices.

So many writers I have spoken with believe that a good workout is an unnecessary commitment and it takes time away from their writing time. What they don’t realize is that staying cooped up inside a room all by themselves can be terrible for their creativity, mental health, and the physical body. Working out doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with an exercise that you’re actually excited about. Motivate yourself to get into a regimen of it on a regular basis. Not everyone needs to go for a run at the crack-of-dawn. You definitely don’t need to turn your body upside down to lower stress. Find a time and type of movement that works for you. Once you get those endorphins going and start feeling those creative juices flowing, you will learn to appreciate the benefits of working out on your writing life.

Besides making memories stronger, exercise can help one focus and stay on task. So, get out of that chair! Get yourself moving and you will probably return to your writing with creative juices flowing through every cell.

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Author Bio: Sweta Srivastava Vikram (www.swetavikram.com), featured by Asian Fusion as “one of the most influential Asians of our time,” is a mindset & wellness coach, global speaker, and best-selling author of 12 books whose work has appeared in The New York Times, amongst other publications, across nine countries on three continents. She helps executives and entrepreneurs make critical mindset shifts so they can leverage time more effectively, thrive in their relationships, and lower stress levels. Winner of the “Voices of the Year Award,” (past recipients have been Chelsea Clinton and founders of the #MeToo movement), in her spare time, Sweta teaches yoga to empower female survivors of trauma. A graduate of Columbia University, she lives in New York City with her husband and works with clients globally. She is also the CEO-Founder of NimmiLife, which helps women share their stories, heal from trauma, and empower their mental health and lives using Ayurveda, yoga, and storytelling. Find her on: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

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Category: How To and Tips