The writer’s guide to relieving stress
Deadlines looming? Inspiration waning? Your editor…well, doing those annoying editor things? Take heart. These steps might not bring absolute serenity, but they will get you back on track.
What’s your No. 1 stressor right now?
Mine is organizing high school debate tournaments.
Picture an event featuring 48 articulate and argumentative teenagers who must be matched against each other in 12 rooms, with a volunteer timekeeper and two volunteer judges apiece. It’s not only noisy, it’s an organizational nightmare.
The tournaments must include dinner for everyone and require accurate tabulations and awards. There are so many moving parts that I never fail to feel the frisson of stress whenever I’m approaching such an event.
I’m lucky, though: In my regular working life, at least I don’t get stressed out by writing. This is not because I’m so smart. It’s because I’ve engrained some deep, protective habits.
Here are 11 ways you can keep stress at bay, too:
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