Too many abandoned drinks

Healthy Habits for writers part two

How to drink more when writing

We all know it is important to stay hydrated, every cell in our body needs water to function, but when in the maelstrom of a writing episode everything is forgotten. That well intentioned cup of coffee or tea grows stony cold and yuck. You spit it out, frown at it, how could it get so cold so quick, and then continue to write while your brain shrivels in your skull and thoughts literally rattle around. Very distracting.

So, what to do?

Tricks and tips to staying hydrated while writing

1. Drink a large glass of water before you go to your designated writing space.

2. Drinks that taste good hot or cold (to me- we all have different tastes)

Water

Fruit or vegetable juice

Herb teas – most, some need a little honey to sweeten the cold style

Honey and lemon – very yum

Ginger and cinnamon (ginger root and cinnamon sticks seeped in hot water)

Chocolate – (hot chocolate drink not a chocolate bar, although it is very tasty and motivating. It hydrates the soul but not the body.)

3. Fill a flask and drink it all – keeps hot drinks hot for ages and can be poured into a small cup for frequent drinks so you do not lose your writing momentum. Be aware these little cups of drink will get cold if you don’t drink them.

4. Fill a jug with water, add slices of lemon or some mint leaves. Drink it all before you leave your designated writing space. Believe me you’ll want to drink as you write. Drinking it in one go is hard!

5. Use the timer which screams at you to stretch, and slurp down that energising liquid. Before or after the exercise is your choice.

6. When your bladder distracts you from your words, take a short break, pee, and then have a healthy drink before resuming your writing. (My writing space is a hut in the garden, and I can’t be bothered to walk back to the house so I have a pee pot in my polytunnel ready with some water for dilution. Great food for the plants.)

7. Say no to wine, beer, spirits…Yes, I know alcohol tastes good cold, but it does not hydrate the body and does not improve your writing, despite you thinking its brilliant when under the influence. Wait until after your writing session. Trust me you’ll have less rewriting to do.