Writing is a very creative past-time and writers need a lot of energy to write well. I find the more energized I feel, the more creative, innovative and fun my writing tends to be. I also find the words flow better when I am feeling energetic. Here are some of my favorite ways of getting energized for writing.

Get Up Out Of The Chair

If you have been sitting in your chair staring at your computer screen for some time, you’ll find that mental blocks become far more frequent. Our bodies are designed to move so get out of the chair for at least five minutes every two hours at a minimum.  Even just doing a ‘lap’ around the house (or around the block) can be enough to get energized again. Stand, stretch and move your body for a great, quick energizer.

Get Out and About

Getting some fresh air is a great way of getting energized and feeling fresh. If you have a laptop computer, go for a walk and find a nice scenic spot to sit and write outside.  If you don’t have a laptop, make sure you get out of the house every day to meet people, get fresh air and remember that there is a real world out there.

Freelance writers working from home often end up feeling like they have become a recluse but simply getting into the world is easy. Go and buy a coffee from a local café and you’ll write better when you return.

Enjoy Revitalizing Music

Music can be an easy way to get energized. Play something with a bit of rhythm and you’ll be bopping along in your chair. Music also helps writers to block out other distractions like the sound of traffic.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Whenever our blood sugar level drops, we are more likely to feel fatigued, weary and flat. Creativity tends to drop dramatically if we haven’t eaten or drunk anything for a while.  Give yourself a break and eat or drink something to keep the energy levels high for creative writing.

Laugh. Whenever I have a mental block and just can’t seem to get writing, I’ll read something funny to have a mental break. It really helps get the mind working again.

Exercise (Both Physical and Mental)

The body is designed to move frequently, and unfortunately writers can lead a sedentary lifestyle. Get your body moving and you’ll find benefits including and increased attention span, feeling fresher and increased productivity. Getting the blood moving around the body from exercise stimulates the blood moving around the brain too, stimulating creativity.

Mental games and exercises can also stimulate creativity. If you are experiencing a mental block, do something different for a short time to get your mind thinking in another way or pattern. See things from a new perspective to clear your mind for writing creatively.

Routinely Write

The best idea for writers is to practice their skills as a writer. Getting into a routine to write more frequently will help creativity.  Your routine should help you to start writing at the same time each day, but allow for day to day flexibility, depending on your energy level, mood and level of creativity on the day.

Use these tips to help get your energy levels higher, increase your creativity and writing productivity, and to enjoy your writing more.

This is the last of the E=Energy posts in the CREATIVE HABITS series. Next time I’ll be talking about A=Action, so make sure you stay tuned, or RSS’d!