Embracing small shifts for big energy gains
By Michael La Ronn
Managing your energy throughout the day is hard, especially when you work a full-time job and have a family and other obligations that require your time and attention. Here are some tips I’ve used that have fuelled over 100 books and many short stories, essays, and magazine articles throughout my writing career.
I have found that the biggest contributor to low energy levels throughout the day is the food I eat and how I digest it. Pay attention to the amount of carbohydrates in your meals, particularly at lunch and dinner. Heavy carb foods such as refined grains, pasta, rice, and highly processed foods spike your blood sugar and make you feel sluggish. You don’t need to stop eating carbs; just be mindful of how many you eat and observe what they do to your body, especially around writing sessions.
I also recommend walking, which offers numerous benefits for overall health and creativity. However, I propose that when you walk matters more than how much you walk. Many people don’t have the time or ability to walk several miles a day, nor do they want to in extreme weather! But a well-timed 10- to 15-minute walk (or a few) throughout the day can reduce post-meal blood sugar crashes and aid digestion, keeping you energised.
Walking first thing in the morning helps you wake up, focus, and provides quiet time for your mind. If you’re a morning person, time a quick walk before your writing session. If you’re a night owl, take your walk at night.
Walking after meals also serves as a useful hack to reduce the impact of blood sugar crashes, especially after heavy meals.
Ultimately, managing energy isn’t about perfection but about finding small habits that work for you. With mindful eating and well-timed walks, you can boost productivity and creativity in surprising ways – just as I have throughout my writing journey.
Find out more
To find out more about the tactics and strategies that professional editors, writers, and translators are putting in place to combat burnout, download our ebook, Perfection Under Pressure.
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About Michael La Ronn
Michael La Ronn has published many science fiction, fantasy, and self-help books for writers.
He built a writing career publishing 10–12 books per year while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings.
Visit his fiction website, resources for writers, and follow him on YouTube.