Writing is a physical activity…:)
A writer is like an athlete; a competitor or skilled performer in physical exercises, to quote the Concise Oxford Dictionary. Because we spend so many hours seated at our desks, it is easy to forget this – until our body protests. Our neck shoulders and headache, our eyes refuse to focus, our wrists succumb to repetitive strain syndrome, and then we remember that our mind operates through a physical organ in a physical body with needs of its own. These aspects of a writer’s physical make-up need particular attention:
the brain
the eyes
digestion
joints, muscles, heart and lungs.
Keep your brain alert
Like all our bodily organs our brain needs nourishment, a rich blood supply, plenty of oxygen and adequate rest in order to function well. Hours of sitting hunched in a stuffy room, skipping meals or eating junk food will put it at a disadvantage. 
The simple acts of opening a window, circling your arms and breathing deeply will boost mental processes tremendously. If you find it hard to remember to do these things, write a note to yourself and place it where it will catch your eye from time to time.
Brain food
Our brains thrive on foods rich in iron, phosphorous and the B vitamins (particularly B6, which is said to help with ‘writer’s block’). Liver, fish, pulses, grains, wholemeal bread and green vegetables are all excellent writers’ foods. My current favorite ‘boosts’ are extract of malt, or thick wholemeal toast with tahini, banana and honey. Oh no? OK – what’s yours?
Brain fatigue
We need rest, not only to combat tiredness but to enable the body to replenish its cells – which, of course, include our brain cells. For this reason, burning the midnight oil (a common symptom of ‘writing fever’) may reduce our mental and physical efficiency over time – something we may find it all to easy to forget or ignore.
Many writers have found it beneficial to replace their late night writing habit with an early morning start when the world is just as quiet and their brain is rested. Efficiency is also improved by a regular change of task – on average, every hour and a half.
Use a timer with an audible signal as a reminder to take regular breaks. Ideally, leave the work room and do something physical. Have a list of suggested activities to hand – anything from a short-duration household task to a brisk walk around the block. Physical movement will invigorate your body. Also it can, in itself, trigger a flow of words and ideas.
Keep your eyes healthy
Computer users
If you use a word-processor, you probably spend many hours staring at the screen. An anti-glare screen, either built in or added on, is essential. If over-exposure causes sore or itchy eyes, try bathing them with a cooled herbal infusion of eye-bright and camomile. Your local pharmacy will also carry a number of good remedies for this condition. Such exposure can leave eyes deficient in Vitamins A and B2, so supplements of these vitamins are advisable. Vitamins C and E also promote eye health.
Alleviate eye and neck strain by having the monitor exactly at eye level. If necessary, place some blocks underneath it to achieve this. Positioning your feet at the correct height is also important.
Ideally both the knee and the ankle joints should be relaxed and should form right-angles.
So, enjoy your writing but don`t forget about your body. It needs love, care and most of all, a good physical routine. Remember, if it wouldn`t be your body, you wouldn`t be writing in the first place…;) So, give it everything it needs and requires…:)
Wishing you a beautiful day! And a Marvelous Week ahead!:)
Have fun, smile and….keep on writing!:)
Cristina Istrati
