Writing a novel can give you both literal and figurative headaches. While this blog of suggestions may not solve your plot problems, it can keep you from getting bogged down by a headache. Let's start off with some novel writing tips to help with a foggy brain…
If you are writing a novel, headaches can be a real pain, and learning new ways to avoid them goes a long way. There are several ways that you can avoid this nagging pain, but the method that works best for you will depend on what is causing your headache. Is it because you have been staring at your computer too long or have you not been taking care of yourself properly? Here are a few tips that will help you address both of these problems and maybe a few others along the way.
Meditation
Meditation is a great way to not only reduce stress but also to avoid headaches. There are many types of meditation, but the one that works best is guided relaxation meditation. While doing guided relaxation meditation, you will learn to relax from your head to your toes. This can help reduce tension in your neck and shoulders. Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches and relaxation meditation can help significantly when trying to avoid them.
Apps such as Headspace and Calm allow you to dedicate time to yourself and meditate to ensure you're in a good state of mind. This is incredibly beneficial not just for your writing, but your entire wellbeing. Should you have the time and space, occasional stretching will help remove tension in your body. This will make you feel more alert, along with that nice, relaxed (and driven) feeling we so often seek when writing.
Take Frequent Breaks
Helping reduce the strain on your eyes is another way to avoid headaches. Taking frequent breaks away from your computer screen and walking around can help you to increase blood flow to your body. This will reduce eye strain when staring at the brightly lit screen.
The bright light of the screen can place strain on your eyes, as well as the constant movement your eyes do while writing. While you are up, make sure you drink some water and eat a little snack if you are hungry.
See the break as a quick way to refresh yourself. Now, on to the next novel writing tips...
Warm and Cold Compresses
The use of a compress can be utilised in conjunction with both meditations and taking a break from the computer screen. Notice that your eyes feel sore? Place a warm or cool wet flannel on them to revitalize the skin and soothe the muscles in and around your eyes. This can be particularly useful while using the meditation tip. It will help you relax your facial muscles, which can be hard to try and relax fully naturally.
Similarly, after a long flight, a compress helps refresh you and your skin as you cleanse yourself – or lay the cloth over your forehead to cool you down.
Should You be Wearing Glasses?
Straining your eyes can cause some serious headaches. Even with good and natural light, your eyes can still feel burned out when using a computer. This may mean that you need to start wearing glasses. It may also be a good idea to get your eyes evaluated to make sure you don’t need a prescription.
If you don’t need a prescription, it still might be a good idea to get a pair of computer glasses to reduce the strain of screen light on your eyes.
As simple and obvious as they may seem, following these quick and easy tips will help you avoid those nasty headaches. Combining these tips is also great way to keep yourself awake and refreshed while working on your novel. I hope these novel writing tips help alleviate any literal or figurative headaches you might get.
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