I recently completed my doctorate and published a book, and could relate to some of the points in her article. Although our doctorate program didn't have the 'publish or perish' pressures, I agree with the author that working on a long-term writing project is like running a marathon. Writing can be stressful. It can take a physical and mental toll on your body and your energy.
Stressors can include:
- biological stressors: so much sitting - aching shoulders, creaky joints
- cognitive stressors: researching, reading, synthesizing so many articles and so much data; putting it all together in a coherent fashion
- emotional stressors: the review process. You submit something you think is pretty darn good and it comes back with so many suggestions for revisions, and questions. It can feel a bit like a personal attack when someone 'attacks' your writing.
- prosocial and social stressors: the enormous amount of time and energy spent on a long-term writing project means less time for family and community.
One of her suggestions is to write down five easy, low cost, short-term ideas for self-care on an index card and keep them in your bag or post them on a whiteboard in your workspace. Then use them to restore balance and recharge energy when your tension is high and your energy is low.
Some suggestions for low cost, short term self-care include: a hot cup of tea, a walk outdoors, playing with a pet, holding hands with a loved one, reading a chapter in a non-work related book.
I like the idea of having those strategies for refilling your energy tank posted on a whiteboard or written on an index card and carried in your bag. When energy is low, it is so easy to revert to old habits like junk food, energy drinks, and mindless screen time. Having a strategy card readily at hand may help me to choose healthy strategies for restoring energy when my tank is low!
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