@VBDavis11

Last month I began sharing ways Writers can Overcome Stress and Fatigue. I went in-depth with #1 – Cold Showers. Today we pick up with tips 2-4.

2. Cutting out carbs

I am in no way, shape, or form a dietician. In fact, I’ve spent most of my life fueling with energy drinks and Wendy’s burgers. That being said, when I decided that fatigue had to go if I wanted to continue my career as an author, I decided to tackle my diet before anything else.

Diet is never a one-sized-fits all, but for me, cutting out carbs has seemed to completely change my fatigue issue. My mind has been on fire lately. The best way I can describe it is that my “brain fog” is gone. No writers block, no midday lulls, no more fueling myself with endless trips to the coffee pot.

Like I said, maybe this diet isn’t for you. Maybe it’s too demanding, maybe you’re underweight, maybe you have a family to feed and such a change could make things really difficult. If you’re interested in changing up your dietary habits in an attempt to reduce fatigue and empower your career, talk to a doctor and follow the advice of folks a lot smarter than me. Here is a link if you’re interested.

3. Vitamins and nootropics

Sometimes diet doesn’t cut it. Sometimes your body doesn’t get everything it needs from what we’re eating. Make sure to supplement your diet, whatever it is, with the proper vitamins. When you get your blood work done at the annual physical, I’d encourage you to take a look at your deficiencies and supplement these as well. Again, I’m not a doctor, but sense I started taking supplementation a bit more seriously, I don’t feellike my body is constantly in a deficit.

On top of that, I’ve branched out into the world of nootropics, organic supplements that have proven results to help the mind and body function better. Here is a link to explain which nootropics can really help fuel writers. I’ve used L-Theanine, Alpha GPC, and Sulbutiamine, and they really have made a difference.

4. Exercise

Where your body goes, your mind will follow. Writing is an inactive job, most of us either sit or stand in one place while we work. Most of our day jobs are inactive too. Running around the kitchen or running errands can feel quite taxing, but this isn’t quite exercise either.

I’m not going to harp on exercise too long, because I’m sure most of you are already aware of how much better the mind functions when you get the blood flowing. I’d encourage you, not only for your long term health, but also for your daily brain-function, to move a bit, especially early in the day. It doesn’t have to be strenuous, but the more you do, the more you’ll be rewarded with a clear mind. Some of my best novel ideas have come to me while drenched in sweat, and I bet the same could happen for you too.

Some of that might be self-explanatory, other parts might sound strange or foreign. That’s alright. No one has all the answers, at least I certainly don’t claim to. I’m just one author on a journey to improve my writing career and my wellbeing in general, and these are some of the tools that have enabled me to do so. That being said, what works for you? What habits have you implemented to overcome fatigue, stress, or the any number of other factors that can hinder our growth as authors? Let me and the other readers know in the comments below so that we can all learn and grow together in this crazy creative life!

Read the entire series here:

The Writer’s Guide to Overcoming Stress and Fatigue, Part 1 

Vincent B. Davis II is an author, entrepreneur, speaker, and soldier. His first novel “The Man with Two Names” was published in July 2017, and has since become an Amazon International Best Seller. He is passionate about helping authors improve their brand and platform. He created Warrior Book Marketing Group in 2018 and now works with publishing companies and individual clients to help them sell more books in the modern publishing environment.