Create Your NaNoWriMo Emergency Kit

As we’re heading into the fourth week of NaNoWriMo, you may start to feel your energy flagging. We’re often so focused on our stories that we ignore the reality of taking care of our bodies, which is just as important! Just like a marathon runner, we need to keep our bodies in shape to make it to the end. Participant Shantea Gauthier has some words of wisdom to share about making sure your body stays healthy at the end of the month:

Many NaNoWriMo emergency kits contain chocolate and inspirational quotes to keep you motivated through the process, or ideas to keep you inspired. We rarely address the kind of minor emergency that will stop your progress dead in its tracks, no matter how motivated or inspired you are. When you hurt yourself writing, it doesn’t just ruin your day; it ruins your week, your month, or maybe your life. I don’t want to get dramatic, but we all know by now that keyboard-and-mouse related injuries are very real.

Prevention is key, as with most health-related topics. Ergonomics are key. The options for products are nearly endless, and you’ll need to test chairs, keyboards and configurations to see what works best for you.

It’s important to limber up and stretch, as well as to take breaks. I keep a framed printout of some computer and desk stretches, which I try to run through every 30-60 minutes. For the same reason, I keep a shawl and a pair of arm warmers at my desk, even though we Southern California natives barely understand the word “cold”. Just like an athlete, you’ll need to keep those muscles warm to prevent injury.

Of course, aches and pains are bound to happen, so I keep a first aid kit at my desk for those times.

Here’s what’s in mine:

Analgesic balm or muscle balm for when I inevitably get sore. Rubbing it in helps the muscles relax.
KT tape, because applying it to the thumb and wrist area helps me continue when I get tightness in my wrist and fingers. Compression gloves also help with this–and yes, I have had to use both together.
ThermaCare patches for my shoulder and back when “mouse shoulder” catches up with me. (ThermaCare is the only latex-free brand I’m aware of, so I stick with that brand due to allergy. Other brands should work fine, or you could invest in a reusable pack that warms up in the microwave.)
Ibuprofen to combat pain from inflammation
Cough drops. For some, the “NaNoWriMo Cold” is inevitable.

Of course, any writer’s emergency kit would feel incomplete without emergency coffee and candy–and yes, an inspirational quote or two. Mine is “An artist cannot fail, it is a success just to be one”, by Charles Horton Cooley, to remind me that I’m still a writer, even if I must take a break. If the emergency is more mental than physical, you can also keep copies of good reviews, accolades, and encouragement you’ve earned from past writing.

Shantea Gauthier is a many time NaNoWriMo loser, who has written several novels in under a month, including Great Minds and The Beast, both available now. Find her books, social media links, and personal blog at www.ShanteaGauthier.com.

Top photo by Flickr user Deacon Kevin.