Keeping Your Brain Sharp During NaNo (and other obsessive projects)

Now that National Novel Writing Month is into its sixth day, the wear and tear is starting to show. We’ve been living on pizza, coffee and Twinkies, our butts are glued to our computer chairs and we’re short on sleep -  it’s no wonder our creativity is abandoning us!

Step one? Go get a glass of water.  Yes, Now.  You’ve been staring at that screen too long and you’re probably a bit dehydrated. 

And while you’re up, do some stretches.  Move around. Get the blood flowing!

Your brain works best when your body is in motion, and no, wiggling your fingers on a keyboard does not count as "being in motion" smarty pants.   Just for that, I want you to walk around the house for the next five minutes.  

Oh, come on.  It’s just five minutes.   You are not going to fall behind on your word count because you took a five minute motion break - in fact, by moving around, you’ll probably get those thoughts moving  a bit more freely.

Now, before you go back to your novel, spend a minute thinking about what you’ve been eating this week.  Is it healthy, balanced stuff, with lots of proteins, veggies like tomatoes and broccoli, and maybe some Omega-3 rich Salmon thrown in? Yeah, me neither, and my brain is letting me know.

So take another five minutes in the kitchen, and jot down some quick healthy foods to buy at the grocery store this weekend.   It’s fine if they’re easy and quick, just make sure they’re also healthy.   Make sure and include some good-for-the-brain snacks, too:  almonds, blueberries (the dried kind are fine, and make for good snacking) strawberries, pumpkin seeds, walnuts.  Munchy, crunchy satisifying brain snacks: how much better can it get?

And while you’re at it, make a note to look at the selection of teas at the store, too…  ginseng, sage and green tea  are good choices that might have some brain benefits.  And many juices are a good be (especially berry-based juices) but watch the sugar levels, and make sure they’re real juices, not those fake punch things.

And one last item for your grocery list - this one you’ll like, I promise:  Dark chocolate.   Seriously.  It’s supposed to be good for the brain.  I’ve found dark chocolate covered dried pomegranates, strawberries and blueberries at Walmart, in their candy section.  How awesome is that?

Ok, now that you’ve got that list jotted out,  grab a handful of the healthiest snack you have at hand, refill your glass of water, and carry it back to your desk, and get back to your great-american-noveling.  

Remember, abusing our brains will not make us better, more productive writers - taking care of our brains will help us to be our creative best.

Egads, I sound like a self-help coach. Just shoot me now!

BTW, current wordcount is 3727.   How about yours?