Tag: rest

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Take a Break

While working on this month’s post, I am taking a much-needed “rest” weekend. I am not talking about spending the weekend doing nothing but sleeping, I am simply changing up my weekend activities and letting my body rest and recover from strenuous activities.

Downtime is important for everyone, especially if you have a disability or a minor injury. Rest is an important part of the rhythm of life. A lot of things are happening when we slow our bodies and brains down.

  • Our body heals
  • Our energy levels recharge
  • Our brains refocus

After my accident, I learned the importance of taking breaks to let my body and brain recover from daily activities. My brain was in the process of healing from my accident and needed more time to recover.

The creative life can be just as overwhelming as a physically active life. The creative process has different stages; most of the “work” is done in our brains. Before we even write the first word our bodies need rest.

Rest

As a gym rat, I understand that the workout is accomplished by getting adequate sleep and rest. An exhausted body and brain cannot perform at 100%. For over a decade now I have incorporated “rest” days, weeks, and weekends into my exercise routine.

These allow my body to heal and recover from my vigorous workout routines. They also keep me from getting burned out in my fitness goals. I always feel better and more focused in the gym, after I’ve taken time away. This principle applies to a lot more than just health goals.

Writer’s Life

We writers can also benefit from taking breaks from being creatively productive, not extended time away, because then we just procrastinate getting back to work. But enough time to let our minds rest and recharge.

After this year’s Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers’ conference, I felt overwhelmed and unable to focus. The intensive week-long training drains my creative juices. So I decided to take a mental break before jumping into my writing projects.

Writer’s conferences can be both physically and mentally demanding, then there’s the emotional aspect. It’s like a week long crash-study course we experience while meeting new friends and catching up with old ones.

All the while most writers tend not to get enough sleep during the conference. I am a big proponent of getting a minimum of eight hours of sleep every night, which is an essential function of living a healthy life. Below are some of the benefits of getting a good night’s sleep:

  1. Aids in weight loss.
  2. Improves concentration and productivity.
  3. Can maximize athletic performance.
  4. Strengthens the heart.
  5. Helps sugar metabolism and lowers type II diabetes risk
  6. Lowers risk of depression.
  7. Strengthens immune system.
  8. Lowers risk of inflammation
  9. Improves emotions and social interaction.
  10. Increases alertness.

Clearly, breaks and rest help our bodies and brains function better. Studies even show that lack of sleep can impair creative thinking. Less sleep is a cause of poor memory and inability to focus, leaving individuals more prone to making mistakes.

Although we are all living busy lives, neglecting time to sleep and rest doesn’t aid in increasing production and often does more harm than good. As writers, we are goal-oriented and need to focus on getting things done.

Get It Done

People who know me, have witnessed how frustrated and irritable I get when I don’t get a good night’s sleep. Due to my brain injury, there are times I have a hard time focusing and need to disconnect to be able to think clearly.

Persons with brain injuries need to protect their times of rest, below are common ways we can take a break during the day to rest.

  • Short walks
  • Meditate
  • Quiet time alone
  • Eat a snack
  • Naps

Personally, I don’t like taking naps or even laying down too long during the day, because it messes up my circadian rhythm and I cannot sleep at night. I may lean back and close my eyes or just daydream, but nothing more.

Power walks are my favorite way to rest because I get outside and get fresh air and are where I take my breaks.

Martin Johnson

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.

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for November, Part 2

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

Write Hard, Rest Well with PeggySue Wells

Is your productivity down? Are you tired and not feeling well rested? Well, in today’s episode, PeggySue gives us tips on how to write hard and rest well. She leads us through an inventory on feeling refreshed. She says that based on Exodus 23:12, “the definition of rest is that which refreshes your soul.” PeggySue also shares her four rhythms of success and suggests we should turn off all screens an hour before bed to help our brains rest well. Well, this episode is so full of great ideas on resting and writing, you’ll want to check out this week’s replay to them all.

Watch the November 17th replay.

BIO

PeggySue Wells, international speaker and author of 29 books and some are recognized on the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists. She has served as the producer of WBCL’s Mid-Morning talk show. In addition to writing her own award winning fiction and nonfiction, she also ghostwriter, connects authors to publishers, and edits fiction and nonfiction. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or her website, https://www.peggysuewells.com/

JOIN US!

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. Here’s the permanent Zoom room link. 

Participants mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.

Additionally, you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook Group.

Categories
Writer Encouragement

Take a Break

I didn’t know how much I needed a break until I grew grumpy. My usual ability to cope was stretched as taught as a rubber band holding too many papers. Exhaustion overwhelmed me at times. Then I got sick with bronchitis. In the summertime.

When you are overwhelmed with life, not only is it difficult to write your stories but sickness can rear its ugly head at any time of the year.

I stopped and took inventory of my past several months. It was a bit on the scary side: My husband’s stroke and months of rehab, my granddaughter’s diagnosis of cancer in her foot, my sister’s illness, moving out of state … The stressors were numerous and more than just a little daunting.

While things have improved for the most part, there are residual difficulties such as my granddaughter needing a prosthesis for her foot amputation and my husband still dealing with memory issues. I am struggling with now being the sole driver in our empty nest household. It’s not a situation I ever imagined.

In the midst of all this anxiety, my older son extended an invitation to come and stay for a week. I would help them out with childcare for the triplets while their mom and dad worked. Although some might see that as more work for me, it has been a refresher visiting with my out-of-state grands and my son and DIL who I rarely see. While I am not sitting doing nothing, it is a change from my normal and sometimes angst-filled routines. It has been a gift from the Lord through my son.

I could have found excuses not to go on this respite but I knew I needed it. Anyone who carries the load at home needs it for peace and renewal before the rubber band of anxiety snaps from the pressure.

So I set up everything for my husband to help him manage on his own. Our younger son and my husband’s sister are nearby in case of emergency. Then I boarded the flight, knowing this was going to be the refreshment for my soul and body that I needed.

It is so easy to be overwhelmed by our responsibilities that we often forget to take care of our own needs. It is a choice. We can make ourselves indispensable in our stress, or we can find coverage for all the needs around us. We all need to take a healthy break at times.

With a clearer head and renewed enthusiasm, I look forward to facing the blank Word doc again, and creating my next novel. After this rest.

Then I can happily … carry on.

Elaine Marie Cooper has two historical fiction books that recently released: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Love’s Kindling is available in both e-book and paperback. They are the first two books in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. Scarred Vessels, a novel about black soldiers in the American Revolution, will release in 2020. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com

Categories
The Intentional Writer

Boost Productivity by Taking Effective Breaks

The intentional writer

What? How can I be more productive if I work less?

It may not make sense, but it’s true. Studies show that taking intentional breaks will make you more productive and will lead to better overall success than pushing through the doldrums. For example: Studies have shown that those who take a lunch break and fully disconnect with their work are more productive afterward than those who don’t.

Why? Because those who power through, hour after hour, thinking they are operating just fine are actually working in a state of mental exhaustion. Without breaks they become prone to an increase in bad judgment and a decrease in creativity and quality of work.

Taking effective breaks is one of the best methods to give your brain a rest so it can function at optimum form.

However, not all breaks are equal.

Effective breaks are intentional. You should be in control of when and how you take them.

They are not random “Squirrel!” moments where you lose focus due to distractions. They are not excuses to check social media or to eat that donut you ignored earlier. Effective breaks are designed to give your weary brain a rest, but not to sidetrack you into starting a whole new priject.

How to take effective short breaks

  • Aim for breaks of fifteen minutes or less.
  • Get away from the desk or work space.
  • Allow your brain to think about something other than work. Resist the temptation to problem-solve that scene during break time. The goal is to fully disconnect with work and give you brain a chance to relax and regroup.
  • Stand up and move. Get the blood flowing and stretch out those places where you store tension.
  • If you can go outside, great. If not, seek out a window with a view or even a shelf of plants.
  • When possible, connect with fellow humans and talk about something other than work.
  • Go tech-free. Checking email, social media, or other tech distractions will not provide the best break for your brain.
  • You may need to set a timer so you don’t dally too long before getting back to work.

In addition, be aware of your daily slump time.

All humans experience a midday slump in energy and alertness. This is true across ages and cultures, from publishing executives to would-be writers.

My slump usually hits midafternoon. During my slump my brain feels sluggish and I have less energy, less motivation, and less self-control. Slogging on without taking a break results in little worthwhile output. I have come to terms with my slump time and have adjusted my expectations and schedule to accommodate it.

For me, short breaks are even more vital during midafternoon. Instead of beating myself up over my sluggishness I listen to my body and take frequent short breaks.

In addition, I suggest scheduling appointments and important decisions in the morning when you and others typically function at their best. Reserve midday for more mundane tasks that don’t require high-level thinking.

Have you discovered the power of short breaks? What strategies help you make the most of your breaks?

Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical mysteries, and her blog about intentional living. You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter and Twitter @LisaEBetz

Categories
The Intentional Writer

Are You Taking Productive Breaks?

The intentional writer

It may seem counterintuitive, but we can actually improve our productivity by taking breaks. God invented the concept of rest right back in Genesis chapter one, and we haven’t outgrown our need for it. We do not operate at peak efficiency hour after hour. We do better when we take periodic breaks.

All breaks are not created equal, however.

Some breaks restore our energy and boost creativity. Others simply waste time.

To make your breaks worthwhile, start with the right mindset

Don’t give in to guilt. Ignore those voices that whisper you are lazy or weak if you stop before the job is finished. When you take breaks with intention and intelligence, you are being smart and efficient. Remind yourself of that as often as you need to.

Be honest with yourself and your limitations. You might not be able to sit and concentrate as long as other writers. That’s OK. Find a balance between work and rest that makes sense for you.

Here are some tips for taking productive breaks.

  • Be in control of when you take them. Don’t let distractions like a Facebook notification drag you away from your work at less-than-ideal moments. Find a logical stopping place. Even if you set a timer, finish the sentence or the thought before you quit.
  • Take them regularly. Many of us are in the habit of sitting at the computer for hours at a time, hunched over our keyboards, wrestling with uncooperative prose. Studies say sitting for long periods isn’t good for us. Neither is forgetting to drink enough water. Develop a habit of taking a short break every two hours or so.
  • Be intentional about unplugging. Writers know the benefits of setting a piece of writing aside for a few days, because it allows us to look at it with new eyes. A similar truth applies to breaks. Resist the temptation to keep working in your head while you stretch or refill your water bottle. Give your brain a break too. For best results, get away from your desk completely.
  • Know what restores. The best breaks restore you mentally, emotionally, and physically.
    • Get your body moving. (Do office yoga, take a ten-minute walk…)
    • If possible, go outside. Nature has very effective restorative powers.
    • Connect with other humans. (But not someone who will suck you into a half-hour chat.)
    • Find solitude. If you work in a busy environment or interact with people all day, the best antidote may be a few minutes of solitude and silence.
  • Avoid the gripe zone. Griping about work might vent a little steam but it isn’t going to boost your motivation or enhance productivity. Avoid people or situations that tempt you to waste your break time complaining.
  • Avoid mindless screen time. Surfing social media will not restore your energy as effectively as moving your body and focusing your brain on something else.
  • Keep them short. Aim for ten to fifteen minutes and then get right back to work. No dilly dallying.

And, finally…

  • Stay focused between breaks. Modern society has become addicted to distractions. Learn to resist the siren call of email notifications or incoming text messages. Be in control of when you check devices rather than letting the devices control you.

Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a story to tell the world. She loves to encourage fellow writers to be intentional about their craft and courageous in sharing their words with others. Lisa shares her words through dramas, Bible studies, historical mysteries, and her blog about  intentional living. You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter and Twitter @LisaEBetz

Categories
WARFARE!

Why is it So Hard to Rest?

Why is it so hard to rest? To take a break? To “do nothing”?

Years ago, I remember the Lord telling me to rest, stay in His Word, and take it easy. But that didn’t work out with my schedule, so I didn’t make the time.

The next week something happened that knocked me flat on my back. I was not prepared because I didn’t listen to the Lord. I got through the tough time, but it was a whole lot more difficult than it needed to be.

God knew I needed to be strengthened to be able to handle what was coming. Since then I’ve learned to trust Him a bit more, although rest is always difficult.

This time God asked me to put down my writing for a season and focus on my husband, family, prayer, health, and work…in that order.

But wait! My publisher is closing their doors, so if I “do nothing” my books will not be available. If I don’t write on my blog (which I haven’t for over 3 months anyway), what will my readers think?

As I sit here 100% sure I’ve heard God correctly, I ponder why it’s difficult to obey.

Maybe it’s because I fear losing followers. No, I don’t think so; when I write and share, God brings the people who need to read what I’ve written.

Maybe it’s because I’m uncertain about my calling. No, I know He called me to write and I know the joy it brings me. I am a writer.

Maybe it’s because too much of my perceived value to God is in my writing. As Joyce Meyer says, it’s in my “do” instead of my “who”.

Yes, I can easily fall into measuring my worth by the visible response I get to my writing. That’s part of it, but not all.

So why is it so hard to rest? Like with most other things, I think the main reason this or any other season of rest is difficult is because I don’t understand it. I am called to write, now I need to stop? I don’t know why, I don’t know for how long, and I don’t know what this new season will bring.

My ministry name is Life Is Not A Formula. I think God gave me that name to remind me that it’s futile to try and figure things out, especially where God may be leading, or why He commands this or that. He wants me to trust Him completely with everything day by day, and that includes my writing.

So how is rest related to warfare? If I don’t obey, I will be out of God’s will for my life, and that’s not a safe place to be; I become enemy bait for him to steal, kill, and destroy what God wants to do. My writing can only be fruitful if I am writing under God’s inspiration.

Most importantly, I miss out on intimacy with my Daddy when I try to go where He is not leading.

I’ve learned it’s not worth the risk.

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2b     a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3b    a time to tear down and a time to build,

7b     a time to be silent and a time to speak,

                (Ecclesiastes 3, NIV)

rest

So I choose to accept and receive God’s season of rest from writing. I’ve already seen His hand of blessing in many ways over the past several weeks. Now that I’ve accepted it, I look forward with anticipation to what He’ll do in me and through me during this season of rest. It won’t always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

And when He releases me to do so, I’ll write all about it!