5 Tips for Stressed Out Writers

You've probably heard the old saying, "Stressed spelled backward is desserts." What you may not know is what those desserts, or relaxers really are. Quite frankly, when I'm in a stressful moment I sometimes forget what works, it's only later when I have calmed down the hard way that I begin to think of the desserts that were there all along.

Here they are in no particular order.

1. Sip a nice drink. The drink can be whatever you want. I sometimes choose herbal tea.  

Photo by Dominik Martin on Unsplash

2. Step away from the stress. Sit and meditate. Pray.

3. Read. Not your own work, but the work of someone else.

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Unsplash

4. Breathe in the scents of nature. Take a walk. 

5. Soak in a hot tub or "hot tub". Use a bath bomb or something else luxurious. I have the former, not the latter tub at my house.

Photo by Photoholgic on Unsplash

This is what I do, which may or may not work for you. The point is to take a break when you need it. 

Super Duper Stress Creator

When it comes to writing, what is your ultimate super duper stress creator?

Is it coming up with the idea for your new book?

Is it writing that first draft?

Re-writing?

Editing?

Publishing?



Photo by: ladybugbkt, courtesy of Flickr

Marketing?

Anything that creates stress can block you from moving forward. Take it from me, if you also have life stresses occurring on a fairly frequent basis, you'll also have to figure out how to make your life work.

So how do you do it?

I am an avid believer in prayer; taking those moments to reflect and ponder about my life. I'm also fairly organized, and this helps when I find myself stressing about something I have little or no control over. Taking a break helps, too.

Today I made banana bread with the grand-children.

Tomorrow I might decide to take a walk.

Photo by:

 

rkleine, courtesy of Flickr

If your day feels too full (and some days what you can handle is less than what you can handle on other days) be aware of yourself enough to let go of what really doesn't matter.

And keep smiling.