In my many years as a stay-at-home-mother and freelancer writer, I’ve always maintained a membership at our local YMCA. It’s been doubly, if not triply, rewarding, allowing my children time in a monitored playroom to socialize and run off energy while I hang out nearby, receiving the emotional and physical benefits of a regular workout.
Soon into my first year of lap-swimming, I realized the benefits of exercise to my work as a writer. Moving through the cool, blue water, I began mentally “diving” through my list of writing projects that had yet to be done. The repetitive movement helped generate ideas for potential articles and submissions. And I’d remember follow-up work that had been missed in the busyness of my life as a mother. My water time quickly became invaluable to my writing life.
In this last year, I’ve taken my workout to “land,” using the fitness room to kill two birds with one stone. My workout begins on the bicycle, where I catch up on my newspaper reading while pedaling, then progresses to the treadmill, where I start in on my read-and-walk-fast routine. Sometimes, this is the only chance I have during the week to read. I’ll admit, the workout might not be as vigorous as it could be, but nothing is wasted. Even if I’m not lifting weights or running hard, I am raising my heart rate and moving – something we writers especially, inclined as we are to a sedentary lifestyle, greatly need.
As my youngest child prepares to go to kindergarten and I prepare to turn in a more focused direction with my writing, I’ve been tossing around the idea of letting go of my membership. After all, I’ll no longer have kids with me who need a release and I’m going to need all the extra time I can summon to accomplish my work goals. Something’s gotta give, right?
That’s where my mind was heading until this weekend, when I attended the spring conference of the North Dakota Professional Communicators. Along with panels on crisis communications and social media, we had a bonus presentation on wellness in the workplace. And even though many of those being addressed work in office situations, I quickly applied what was being shared to my life as a freelance writer.
One surprising-to-me fact that stands out: Those who have a membership to a health club, even if they never use it, are on average healthier than those who don’t.
Interesting, no? And then the journalist in me immediately flew into “Why?” mode. Why would this be? I asked if it’s because those who commit to a health-club membership have a healthier mindset from the start and likely have been making other health-focused choices in their lives. The presenter agreed those factors likely account for what otherwise would appear to be an illogical outcome.
And so I’m back thinking I’ll retain my membership. Why would I want to risk losing the benefits that have been so helpful in sustaining my writing over the past years, not to mention my physical and emotional health? Is it possible that continuing to plan a workout into my schedule, even if it’s just two or three mornings a week, could help me be even more productive as a writer? I’d say that’s possible. And especially when one’s office and home are the same, leaving the office every once in a while, even routinely – to gain perspective if nothing else – seems vital.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t convinced a talk on wellness at a communications conference would help my career, but now I’m thinking it might have been the most beneficial talk of all. At the very least, I believe it nudged me in a direction that will serve me well in the coming year.
What is your wellness plan as a writer?
KEEP THE MEMBERSHIP. Just a gentle nudge. I can say from experience that it is VITAL. We live in the north country, first of all, and it is NOT easy to do regular workouts when it’s -20. Plus, the membership is a motivator, and you know I am drawn to the workout classes. You need another outlet for your body, mind and spirit. I have left the house in a funk and come home refreshed in all those ways from just one hour of being with people who care about their health, and mine. Heidi, the fitness coordinator at my Y, talked to me about working out after all the kids entered school. I said, I came to get us all out of the house. She said, “Now you’ll be coming for you.” Write on, writer-mama-pal!
This is such a dilemma for me. I know I need to incorporate healthier habits into my days. But I’m so busy that I struggle to get done the essentials. And exercising hasn’t moved into the essential realm yet. I don’t want to wait until I have something happen to my health and then I NEED to exercise. But I can’t seem to motivate myself to make it a priority yet. Thanks for getting me thinking! 🙂
Well, this is great news for me. I have a membership at a health club, but I haven’t used it in almost two years. He he. Does this mean I’m healthy?!
I love the way you said it helped you process through your writing. Maybe that is a benefit for you that makes the time investment worth it. 🙂
I love to exercise! I think it’s easier for me to incorporate exercise in my daily routine because I grew up doing so. My parents exercised not only for physical wellness but for their spiritual, mental, and emotional wellness, too. So I grew up knowing that exercise wasn’t a chore but a beneficial and vital part of life much like eating and sleeping. It certainly helps clear my head when I’m feeling frustrated about my writing. Plus it keeps me from worrying about the oncoming bathing suit season, haha. Writers have enough to worry about!
If you give up your membership, you might really miss it and see some changes in your writing that you won’t like. However, there are other ways you can exercise without having to go to a gym (I don’t go to a gym). Maybe you want to keep exercising, but you need somewhere new to go or something new to do. I change up my routine every week. It keeps me on my toes physically and mentally!
Mary – knew I could count on your enthusiasm. Thought of you while writing this, of course. 🙂
Jody, it is hard. And homeschooling would make it pretty much impossible, I would think. There will be a time when you can better sneak it in. For now, you’re probably doing enough running trying to keep up with being a new author and mom of five. 🙂
Shannon, yep. You’re good to go. Enjoy! 🙂
And Laura, wow, that is really cool that your parents gave you that wonderful example. My Dad was a huge walker, as much to just get out as for the exercise, but that’s about all the examples of exercise I saw growing up, though my sister and I were both very involved in sports, which helped keep us in tip-top shape.
Thanks for your thoughts, gals. Happy writing, and moving. 🙂
Roxanne,
As a wellness coach, nurse and friend….I am glad to hear that you are keeping the membership! The gift of health is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. There are many studies being published on how exercise contributes to good health (and it helps you sleep good too!) Plus, EXERCISE = ENERGY!! (so not only will you think clearer, you will get more done!) Thanks for the great blog post and reminder!
That’s so interesting about the membership. I, uh, need to create a wellness plan, obviously.
Elana, trust me, it hasn’t always been an easy choice, and I can’t say I make time every day, even if I should. But, even a small attempt is something, I suppose. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. 🙂
Keep the Membership. We had to give ours up do to finances when E was born and hospital bills got crazy. I wish I still had it – working out is so much harder now, even if I don’t have to “go” anywhere to do it.
Interesting timing, as I am taking a mini-leave from work to get my mental and physical health in order so I can better function. I know exercise is vital, yet I am a slacker. As Elana said, I need to create a plan!
Hi to one of my new favorite people and bloggers!
I firmly believe that working out and self-care makes me a better mother, wife, person and blogger. And the most basic self-care is working out and taking care of my body and my mind.
It’s not easy to find the finances or time, but we need to do this for ourselves and our families. It brings wellness, balance and peace to us and our children and our families.
Thanks for your great insight and inspiration.
Hi Book! I finally figured out who you are. Thanks for stopping by with your comment, and affirmation. We mother-writers sometimes forget we need to take care of ourselves first. Glad you are doing that — it’s vital!