Sleep, Health & Writing: Why Rest Fuels Your Best Work
How looking after your body and mind makes you a more productive writer
Those Days When Everything Feels Like Wading Through Treacle
I’ve been there — too many late nights chasing deadlines, one too many missed workouts, kids needing attention, and suddenly… I’m running on fumes.
The work that normally flows becomes a slog. Even simple writing feels impossible.
That’s the cost of neglecting your health as a writer. Not looking after yourself creeps up on you slowly until you’re too tired to think straight.
That’s exactly how I feel today as it happens — because I drank too many pints at the pub with friends last night. 🍺
But look, I’m still showing up!
Why Your Body Is Your Writing Engine
Writing isn’t just a mental game — it’s physical too.
Sometimes I forget to eat at my desk if I’m deeply engrossed in my work.
Bad idea.
Your focus depends on rest, and your creativity thrives when your body is cared for.
When you don’t get enough good quality sleep, eat crap and skip that workout, you’re draining the very engine that powers your words.
3 Simple Ways to Stay Healthy & Write Better
1️⃣ Prioritize Sleep Like a Non-Negotiable Deadline
7–8 hours. No screens for an hour before bed. No big meals too late. Sleep is the cheapest productivity hack you’ll ever find.
2️⃣ Move Your Body 3–5 Times a Week
A brisk walk. A 20–30 min HIIT session. Lifting weights. Exercise boosts your mood, sharpens focus, and clears mental fog.
3️⃣ Eat to Write, Not Just to Live
Ditch heavy meals before bed. Keep blood sugar stable. Think protein, healthy fats, and fibre, fruit and veg — foods that fuel consistent energy.
Your Writing (& Audience) Will Thank You
When you sleep well, move often, and eat right, your writing feels lighter.
Ideas come faster and sentences flow. You become the writer you know you can be — because you’re running on a full tank.
Build a Writing Habit That Works
Want to write more in less time — without burning out?
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