You’re working in Writing and your mental health is at risk. What are you doing to stay healthy?

To prioritize my mental health while working on writing, I implement several strategies. First, I establish boundaries by setting specific work hours and adhering to them. Regular breaks and physical activity help combat sedentary work. I practice mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress and maintain focus. Seeking support from peers or professionals through therapy or support groups is crucial. Engaging in hobbies and activities unrelated to work provides balance and relaxation. Lastly, I prioritize self-care, including adequate sleep, nutrition, and hydration. By implementing these measures, I strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance and safeguard my mental well-being.

To tell exceptional stories, writers need to become their characters. They need to get inside their heads, think like they do, and respond to the world like they do. There is a real risk that at the end of the day, exceptional writers have lost sight of who “they” are. It’s important to take time to get back inside your own head and revisit your positions about the world around you. There are lots of ways to do this. Take a walk and let your mind focus on the sights and sounds around you. Meditate. Talk about your favorite [fill in the blank] during dinner with friends. The point is to reflect on the world around you — in your own words.

In my experience, taking some time off for some mindful meditation, reading some great influential and fascinating books, taking breaks to indulge in some healthy self-care, having defined working hours to avoid overworking which eventually leads to experiencing frequent burnouts, and digging into all kinds of artistic forms of training, as well as, rejuvenating the mind does help in balancing the mental health especially when one belongs to a writing profession.

Check your space and see if it brings you joy. Make sure you are eating and drinking enough liquids. Find that coworker you really feel safe with, that one that is peaceful to be around, and touch base with them a couple times during the day. Face the truth, is it a toxic workplace, and is it worth the sacrifice of your mental health? Final thought...is it the subject you are writing about? Could it be that it bores you, or it is overwhelming, or it is against your moral code? Change the things that could cause long term damage, now!

Schedule "off" time: I don't check work emails or social media after a certain hour. This allows me to truly disconnect and recharge. Communicate project timelines clearly: Being upfront with clients and editors about deadlines helps manage expectations and avoid last-minute stress. Learn to say no: It's okay to decline projects that don't align with my interests or workload capacity.

Here is my tried and tested method: Take a break over the weekend. It can be a pocket-friendly one. Find a destination close to where you are, but with a change of scenery. Maybe book a hostel. While packing, get a pencil, the smallest notebook you can find, and carry them in your to-go bag. Go out, and interact as a stranger with the people. Strike a conversation with the chaiwala or even the person trying to sell you something for double the price. Sit on a public place like a park and observe people. Keep your mind blank, and just observe. Whenever you feel like it… be it a word, or a sentence… jot it down in your notebook. If it doesn’t happen, that’s okay. Try and see if this works for you.

Writing is a rewarding skill; if your job involves writing, you will enjoy the creativity. However, it can also be stressful, as writing is a task that never ends, and to be creative against a deadline is challenging. It is essential to set doable tasks, such as writing 3000 words per day, and when you are done, you stop. You can then break it down into smaller portions, such as 600 words per hour, and take good breaks after every hour. Go for a walk, play with your kids/dog, or chat. Try not to stare at screens during your break, as your eyes and hands will also need a rest.

Step away from the screen: Short walks, stretching, or even a few minutes of deep breathing can do wonders for focus and mental clarity. Schedule creative breaks: Engaging in hobbies that don't involve writing allows me to come back to my work feeling refreshed and inspired. Prioritize sleep: Getting enough quality sleep is essential for cognitive function and emotional well-being.

Taking a break after excessively writing is beneficial for your mental health because it allows your mind to rest and recharge. It prevents burnout, reduces stress, and fosters creativity by giving you time to gain new perspectives and ideas. Additionally, stepping away from your work temporarily can help you return with a fresh outlook and increased productivity.

Taking short breaks throughout the day is a must. Even just stepping away from my desk for a few minutes helps me recharge and stay focused.

We can feel lonely, isolated, alone; however, we need to remind ourselves that we are part of a bigger team. We have people whom we can reach out and flag our concerns. There are people who might have gone through or are going through a similar situation. 1. Talk to your friends and family members about the problem, ask their help for handling/coming out of the situation 2. Talk to the peers whom you trust and share how the work is impacting your mental health 3. Talk to your manager and inform them about the impact of work on your mental health 4. If your manager/team are not supportive, reach out to next level manager, reach out to HR manager 5. If your organization has employee assistance program, reach out to them, seek help

Seeking immediate support is key at a stage where you feel mental fatigue. Instead of pretending to be happy and avoiding the mental health issue, talk to your closed ones (if it's too serious, consult a therapist). Taking a break at that time can also be helpful. But pretending to be okay can cost you on a professional level.

Connect with other writers: Online communities or local writing groups can provide a valuable space to share experiences, receive feedback, and feel less isolated. Talk to a therapist: Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you're struggling with burnout, anxiety, or other mental health challenges.

Having a support system is crucial. Whether it's chatting with colleagues or reaching out to friends and family, knowing I have people to lean on makes all the difference.

I've also found that practicing self-care through healthy eating, exercise, and mindfulness exercises helps me manage stress and maintain a positive outlook.

As writers, we are often our own harshest critics. Imposter syndrome, for example, is all too common and can diminish self-esteem and confidence. Try to practice being gentle with yourself, like you would with a loved one. Take care of yourself by looking after your body and mind. Some examples of self-care tasks include taking a hot bath, doing a guided meditation, doing yoga or simple stretches, or going for a walk in nature.

I have a Spotify playlist for "strutting" :) I have songs that have different tempos so that I can walk in time to the beat downhill, uphill or on straight paths. There is nothing like a fast walk, with music from my youth, fresh air, and blue skies to juggle the feel-good chemicals in my veins, clear the cobwebs in my head, and make me notice the "dazzles" in my life. Sitting down to write after this feels like the most enormous privilege ... which, really, it is.

Making time for myself is non-negotiable. Whether it's hitting the gym, indulging in a hobby, or simply relaxing with a good book, self-care is a priority.

Plan your daily routine life before taking any decision please think one or two times is this right or not don't involve others problems so take care of your self like this

Reading widely across genres exposes me to new ideas and writing styles. Taking inspiration from unexpected places: A walk in nature, a museum visit, or even eavesdropping on conversations at a coffee shop can spark new ideas. Experimenting with different writing prompts and exercises helps me push my boundaries and develop my craft.

Getting creative outside of work is not only fun but also therapeutic. Whether it's writing for pleasure or trying my hand at a new hobby, it's a great way to unwind and recharge.

Be realistic with yourself about your limits. How much can you and how long do you need? Factor in rest days and grace periods in your projected schedule. Give yourself cushion. We love what we do,but our health supercedes our jobs. Check in with yourself and follow up every time.

Taking online courses or workshops on specific writing skills or areas I want to improve in. Attending writing conferences and events to network with other writers and learn from industry experts. Reading books and articles on writing to learn new techniques and stay up-to-date on trends.

Writing sometimes becomes energy sapping, thus the term writer's block, which is not only the lack of content but also that we have exhausted the energy to create unique content. Writing is like any other art, and art takes birth from a calm mind, so under these situations, the best things to do is, Restart and Rethink. Closing the old doors and opening new windows. These windows bring new winds and novel thoughts!!

This is true. Perhaps, it's better to stop writing the content that puts one's mental health at risk for a while, and start articulating one's emotions, thoughts, and mental challenges in a poetic sense. There's no need to vent out to anyone nor will the articulated content be unrelatable to many readers. This exercise may help one maintain their momentum in writing and also reduce the ill-effects on their mental health.

Every human being is learner in their entire life we can learn somany new things from our younger generation also because society can develop every day so learn new things and grow your knowledge

I'm all about continuous learning. Whether it's taking online courses or attending workshops, I'm always looking for ways to grow both personally and professionally.

Having a dedicated writing space: This can be a home office, a library corner, or even just a favorite coffee shop – a designated space helps with focus and productivity. Rewarding yourself: Celebrating milestones and achievements, big or small, helps maintain motivation and keeps the writing journey enjoyable.

A writer who's mental health is at risk? No, LinkedIn AI. Surely you jest. Writing is often self-medication. The question is — is it working or making it worse?