By Emilie Haney, @emhaneyauthor
I am a full-time writer and graphic designer. Read: I sit a lot during the day. I also spend a lot of time with myself (though my husband currently works at home) and have found in the past that it is really easy to do the “next thing” instead of stopping to do the “healthy thing.”
I thought it would be beneficial to take a look at three areas in the Christian writer’s life that are just as important as learning our craft and writing brilliant books. Our spiritual, mental, and physical health.
I’m by no means an expert on this, but I have found that, when there is balance in these areas, my writing goes better, my relationships are more vibrant, and I am (overall) a more joyful person. Whether you’re already practicing these healthy habits or perhaps need a reminder, let’s dive into three areas where we can practice being a healthy writer.
Spiritual Health
“Every Christian would agree that a man’s spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Gauging your spiritual health is a lot more difficult than determining your physical health. We can’t step on some divine scale and know we’re “within the bounds” of health, but there are ways we can test the shape of our relationship with the Lord.
- Are you spending time with God?
James 4:8 reminds us to “draw near to God and he will draw near to you”. One aspect of our spiritual health is the time we spend with Him in both study of his word and conversation with him in prayer.
- Are you spending time with His people?
As Acts mentions, devoting ourselves to teaching, fellowship, and sharing meals together are cornerstones of our Christian faith. We were created to be in community with both God and others. This is especially a must for introverted writers (like myself).
- What is the focus of your thoughts on a daily basis? How do you approach your day?
Where does your mind go during the day? While this is an imperfect assessment, it can help to see what we’re preoccupied with. Has it been things of the Lord, or more of a self-ward focus? If we are more fixated on our to-do lists we’ll likely find ourselves feeling less accomplished at the end of the day than if we invite God into our work.
Take stock of where you rest in these areas and, should any of them be found lacking, recommit to devoting time to growing in those areas. That growth will not only deepen your love for our Savior but also help with the balance of your daily routine.
Mental Health
I don’t struggle with clinical mental health issues that I know plague many of you, so I don’t write as someone who has it figured out. I have found some healthy habits for the struggles that I do face.
Below, I’ve outlined a few questions I ask myself when I feel as if I’ve dipped into depression, anxiety, or malaise.
- Have I spent time with God today?
- Am I getting enough sleep? Drinking enough water?
- Have I had a conversation with someone today (not just my characters)?
- Did I get outside and walk today?
- What am I anxious about? Why?
- Do I need to take a break?
- Am I comparing myself to someone?
- Am I burned out with this project?
- What do I need?
These questions can help me identify the source of what I’m feeling. I know that sometimes depression, anxiety, or other mental health struggles don’t always have a source to pinpoint, so I’m not suggesting this list will “cure” that. Only that, if you are able to identify if something is wrong, you can find the best way to combat that.
For those that suffer with clinical issues there is also the question of whether you should seek out your doctor to adjust medication or to talk to a counselor.
A word on self-care. It’s important, but I think the definition has slipped into meaning retail therapy or checking out of life. While sometimes that is needed, I think self-care is more about recognizing what it is that you need. Is it time away from your computer to connect with friends or family? Is it leaving your desk to take a walk in nature? Or is it as simple as stopping your work for the day in order to be refreshed for the next work day? Uncovering what is best for you mentally is a wonderful practice for a healthy writer.
Physical Health
There is no perfect number here. No number of pounds on the scale, no number of minutes in the gym, and no perfect number of calories to consume, so you won’t see me putting that here. But I do believe there should be focus put on being physically healthy as a writer.
Caveat: I recognize there are those of us that are unable to be physically active. This advice is for those who are physically capable.
What being physically active looks like is up to you and your own goals, but some things to consider are:
- Movement
Are you moving? And I don’t just mean from the coffee pot to your desk (though that is one of my favorite treks). It doesn’t matter if you’re a marathoner or a “walk around the blocker” you need to be getting in some movement each day if you mostly work at your desk.
- Consistency
This one is hard for me, but staying consistent with that movement is important. It’s not enough to do one walk a week and call it good. Consistency doesn’t have to mean every day at the same time, but it should be one walk a day (if possible). Set a goal, get an audiobook, and get walking.
- Diet
And no, I don’t mean going on a diet. I mean considering what your diet is. Yet again, I am not the perfect example of this, but I have been focusing on healthy eating and have seen a dramatic change in the amount of energy I feel. Food affects us and we should consider it alongside other aspects of our health.
- Sleep
We need it. And there’s really no exception for this. You may be able to (or are forced to) go through periods of time where it isn’t consistent or a solid number isn’t possible, but to the extent you have the power to – get sleep. Make a plan for going to bed. Make a habit when getting up. Practice good sleep habits and you’ll be surprised at how that affects your mood, productivity, and so much more!
I know, I’m starting to sound like your health coach instead of a fellow writer, but I know what it is to wake up, have no energy, and feel depressed approaching the blank page. I know what it is to feel so burned out I want to quit writing. And I know what it feels like when I’m taking care of my spiritual, mental, and physical health. My focus is better, my attitude is better, and most importantly – my writing is better.
Go be healthy, happy, and productive!
What are ways you’ve taken your health into consideration as a writer? What healthy habits do you practice?
She won’t stop until she’s proven her worth.
He promised to always protect her.
EMT Andi Crawford is close to achieving her goal. She’s reached probationary status as a firefighter with the Eastside Firehouse and only needs to convince her older twin brothers—and herself—that she’s cut out for the job. Yet the daily challenges of a female firefighter fade to the background when her family becomes the target of a dangerous drug cartel with ties to a client Andi’s mother represented as a defense attorney. Andi will stop at nothing to protect her family.
Even if that means accepting help she doesn’t think she needs.
ATF Agent Jude Brooks is back in Last Chance County tasked with uncovering information on the family that took him in during his summers as a teen. It seems impossible the Crawfords are connected to a dangerous cartel leader, but Jude’s by-the-book attitude won’t let him approach his job any other way. As he wades through a web of leads, the feelings he tried so hard to avoid resurface. Andi’s as headstrong as she was as a teen, but her acceptance of him is a balm to the hurts from his childhood. He’s determined to uncover the truth—for her and himself.
If the secrets of the past don’t tear them apart.
Emilie Haney (also writing under the pen name Bell Renshaw and E. A. Hendryx) grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has a love for the outdoors that matches her love for the written word. In addition to writing, she is a graphic designer who creates promotional graphics for writers, designs book covers, and has built a thriving community around her Instagram platform and brand CreateExploreRead. Emilie writes young adult sci-fi and fantasy as well as adult contemporary fiction with strong themes of romance and suspense and believes that–no matter what–love fights for what’s right. Connect with her: www.eahcreative.com, Instagram, Etsy