I think a timer is a good idea for “stretch breaks” if you often forget to get up and take a stretch. You can also set your computer to flash a reminder every hour or so. Aren’t there special programs that will actually remind you to get up AND give you ideas on what stretches to do, or am I imagining things?

Excellent pointers here. Stretching – yes! But, sometimes I’m so caught up in what I’m writing the hours go by and I haven’t moved. Maybe I need to set a timer, but I hate to interrupt the flow.

Elaine, I followed the Schwarzbein Principle (written by a Dr.) a few years ago with great results. Thanks for the reminder. I need to pull that book out and refresh.

I think there’s a connection between your healthy tips and Renee’s question on mood swings, etc. I changed my eating habits several months ago to concentrate on keeping my energy steady all day and trying to avoid the dips (y’know, that awful 3:00 slump). As much as possible, I gave up refined carbs, especially things that “seemed” healthy but in fact weren’t. I no longer eat cereal for breakfast unless it’s oatmeal or homemade granola, where I know it’s made with whole grains. I don’t eat crackers and rarely eat cookies and other refined starches (but I’m no goody two shoes — I still love ice cream). Probably the most important thing I’ve done is to start the day with protein — poached or scrambled eggs and low-carb toast. If I do that, I’m not hungry for quite some time, and I don’t get the sugar cravings. I found that my energy was a whole lot better but so was my mood! It’s a way of preventing those crisis times, rather than needing to get through them. The whole approach (much more rigorous than I’m explaining here) is outlined in a book called The Schwarzbein Principle.

Elaine

Renee, great idea for a future post! As I mentioned in the original post, I was horribly depressed and constantly sick last winter, so I could use this info myself. I think that one important point is to have a support network you can turn to when you’re too depressed/anxious/whatever to work. I’m fortunate that my husband is also a freelance writer, and he picked up the slack and also did my interviews for me when I ended up with bronchitis and a sinus infection (at once!). But even if you lined up an intern, a virtual assistant, or a writer friend who wants extra cash to help keep things going until you’re back in full form, that could work. Sounds pricy — but it’s not as pricy as waking up from your depression/whatever to find out you have no work!

Maybe I’ll work on this idea later this fall. Thanks again!

That’s terrible about your accident. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that.

I used to work at big university health system before freelancing, and I was always shocked at what people ate, and how much they smoked, especially the doctors. My ex boyfriend is now a resident (non-smoker), and he says that a good chunk of his fellow residents are smokers. Oy.