Do you head for the keyboard every morning even before having your coffee?
\nDo you sometimes turn down invitations so you can stay home and write?
\nWould you rather work on your book than join neighbors for a pool party?
\nDo you even enjoy writing lists, emails and thank you notes?
\nDo you sometimes work right through mealtime?<\/p>\n
If you answered yes to these questions, you could be a write-a-holic.<\/p>\n
I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe there is a cure. But then, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never met a write-a-holic who wanted to be healed. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just too much pleasure in writing for those of us with the passion. <\/p>\n
Having enjoyed the process of writing for around 45 years and writing for publication for over 30, I can give you a few reasons for stepping away from the keyboard a little more often than you actually want to. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tRepetitive stress syndrome.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tEye strain.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tStiff neck.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tElectromagnetic hazard.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tDeep vein thrombosis or e-thrombosis dangers.<\/p>\n
We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve known for years that exposure to an electromagnetic field might not be good for us and that repetitive movement and poor posture for extended periods can cause stress and damage to our bodies. But now, add to that list of dangers, the one that airplane passengers face\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddeep vein thrombosis (DVT) or, for computer users, e-thrombosis. <\/p>\n
What can we do to avoid these dangers?<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tGet up at least once every hour and move around for 10 minutes.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tKeep hydrated\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddrink plenty of water.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tTest your computer to find out how much radiation is seeping.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tReconfigure your work station so it is ergonomically correct.<\/p>\n
Part of the problem results from our habits and patterns. Take these additional steps toward better health: <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tCut long fingernails which can interfere with your natural way of typing.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tUncross your legs.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tMove equipment so that you have to get up and walk in order to use it.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tGet a headset to use when on the phone so you can walk around while talking.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWear compression hose.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tPlay music while working. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll tap your feet and keep the blood from pooling.<\/p>\n
Sites where you can get more information about these issues: Changing long-held habits is not easy, but I think we should all try to take better care of ourselves so that we can continue enjoying the writing life. <\/p>\n Would you excuse me? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time to jog around my office.<\/p>\n If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a writer\/author, you really must check out my list of writing\/publishing-related books. My latest and greatest is: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em>. You should read this book if: <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are thinking about writing a book for publication.
\n http:\/\/www.office-ergo.com<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.mercola.com\/article\/emf\/emf_dangers.htm.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are in the process of writing a book for publication.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou know nothing about the publishing industry.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are considering self-publishing.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou want to go with a traditional royalty publisher.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are considering a fee-based, POD \u00e2\u20ac\u0153self-publishing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d company.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are promoting a book.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou are seeking an agent or a publisher.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou want to know how to write a book proposal.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tYou have any questions about the publishing industry or process.<\/p>\n