Health and the Writer By Camy Tang

Whether you’re a writer who also works a full-time job or are a busy stay-at-home-mom, it’s hard to stay healthy. I researched and figured out a bunch of tips and tricks to help me stay in shape without carving out of my precious writing time. I also found some tips to help me have just general better health. Pick and choose which of these will work for you.

Fit in fitness wherever you can.

Walk or bike to and from the grocery store.

Park farther away from the building at work or the shopping mall so you have to walk (although be careful about parking in dangerous, isolated areas).

Take a break every hour to walk for 10 minutes. This is also great for people who suffer from lower back problems.

While you’re at your desk, stretch your arms every hour, flex your leg muscles, do a few whole body stretches. You can also do leg lifts or straight leg raises while seated.

Waiting for the coffee? Do a few squats or lunges. Or instead of walking down the hallway, do a lunge with each step.

While sitting, perform the zipper exercise—sit up straight, draw your butt muscles and your front pelvic muscles up toward your belly button. Hold for 5 seconds and release. Repeat another 4 times. Do sets of these 5 times a day, wherever you happen to be sitting.

Sit on the floor with your laptop and do leg stretches.

Before entering a room, put your forearms on either side of the doorframe and then lean into the room, stretching your pectoral muscles. This is also good for people who have upper back problems.