Refreshed and Restored

As 80% of the country is suffering from extreme heatwaves, many people are looking for relief from the summer temperatures that have overtaken most of the country. Many people are heading to the nearest beach or lake to try and cool off in the water.

I recently took a rest week and headed to one of my favorite trails to bike for a refreshing ride near some water. During my time in rehab, I learned about the benefits of aquatic therapy, below are just a few benefits.

• Decreases pain
• Lowers swelling
• Improves range of motion
• Reduces stress
• Relaxes muscles and tendons

To be honest, I am not much of a beach or swimming fan and I tend to avoid bodies of water like a cat. However, after my accident, I quickly learned to appreciate biking on this particular trail between the mighty Savannah River and the tranquil Augusta Canal.

The soothing sounds of the water always calm my spirit and I enjoy watching creation relax in or near the water. Even if you are in perfect health, it is important to make time to be rehydrated, restored, and refreshed.

Refreshed

Most of us understand the importance of staying hydrated and the need to get enough rest. That is why most people enjoy summer vacations.

However, for people with brain injuries like me, rest and hydration are crucial to functioning the best we can with our brain injuries.

The human body is 60% water and the human brain is 80% water. Dehydration can be lethal to anyone, especially for somebody with a brain injury. When I become overly dehydrated, I have severe seizures that take a few days for me to recover from.

Spending time in the water may benefit our skin, staying properly hydrated benefits our brains and every organ in our body. A healthy lifestyle requires understanding the balance between work and play, as well as hydration and activity.

Writers may not be as physically active as other professionals, but it’s still important for writers to take time to be refreshed and to restore their creative juices.

Writing Flow

Most writers experience and dread the grind of the writing life. We understand writing is a lot more than just sitting down behind a computer and just typing words to express ourselves.

We know, writing is just a small part of the writer’s life puzzle. We cannot micromanage the hustle of a daily writing grind. Often, the writing life can become overwhelming, especially if you’re focused on always meeting your deadlines.

Mental exhaustion can easily overtake us as physical exhaustion does. This is why writers need to take time to be restored and refreshed. Water can help heal and restore our minds as easily as it sees our bodies.

 Our creative juices can be recharged if we properly balance our work with times of being refreshed. Below are some helpful tips from one of my writer friends on how writers can refill and refresh our creative spirit.

1. Take a spiritual inventory.
2. Evaluate what’s on your schedule.
3. Admit you are dealing with mental fatigue.
4. Take a look at your disrupted routine.
5. Feed your creative spirit.

The point isn’t to add more things to our stress. Find what refreshes you and make a conscious effort to disconnect from your work. Just like an unhealthy and unrested body cannot function properly, an unhealthy and unrested writer cannot produce quality writing.

One of my writing friends enjoys taking long walks on the beach looking for seaglass or rare hidden treasures. Another writing friend enjoys taking walks in the rain like I do myself. There’s nothing like a soothing rain to refresh the body and soul.  However, I absently hate riding my bike in the rain, because it frustrates me and hinders my focus.

Don’t Focus

I have already shared how it can be difficult for me to focus due to my brain injury. On the flip side, when I overfocus, it has a negative impact on both my brain and my body.

 For instance, if I try to type using my left hand, my left hand will spaz up or began to cramp. I will also get a headache if I overfocus or become slightly dehydrated.

As writers, we tend to add pressure to our lives by striving for perfection in our prose or procrastinating before a looming deadline. The added pressure can cause our writing to become forced.

When we force our writing we produce poor quality work. Readers can tell when our stories and words are forced. Respect the reader and don’t force your writing. Below are some telltale signs of forced writing.

• Vague writing
• Awkward transitions
• Filler words
• Clichés

The best writers know when it is time to step away from the computer. Some of my best writing is done when I am outside and soaking up the sun. My creative juices are always refreshed when I give my body fresh air to clear my head.

Hours spent slaving away at a computer don’t always produce great writing. We don’t need a summer break to learn how to refresh our creative spirit. What activity helps you to feel more refreshed and recharged?

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJohnson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.