The Dangers of Being a Writer

THE DANGERS OF BEING A WRITER

Of all the world’s most dangerous professions, writer is probably not anywhere close to the top of the list.

That being said, there are some pretty hazardous things that we writers do that can be harmful to our wellbeing.

Our eyesight is a prime example of something that is greatly affected by our profession. According to this article from Craft Your Content,  writers are especially venerable to digital eye strain, “which is a result of prolonged and extended usage of computers, tablets, e-readers, and cellphones.”

It seems that spending long periods of time behind a computer screen can cause headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes, as well as neck and shoulder pain.

Some of the biggest mistakes that writers make that can lead to digital eye strain are:

• Not using blue light blocking glasses or screen filters
• Not maintaining the right distance and posture
• Not adjusting the brightness of your screen
• Not choosing the right font size and contrast
• Not wearing anti-reflective lenses
• Not giving your eyes a break
• Not blinking enough

It isn’t just eye strain that we writers have to worry about, though.

Given the fact that writing is a mostly sedentary job, writers face other health issues such as chronic back pain, repetitive strain injuries (RSI), and numerous other problems due to lack of movement and exercise.

We also tend to spend most of our time alone, which can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression.

The good news is, these are all problems that we can eliminate, just by being more aware of the way we work, and more intentional with moving our bodies and getting proper nutrition. We can also help our mental health by following these great tips from Aisles of Life:

• Get out of the house and interact with others
• Get fresh air
• Adopt a pet or plant for company
• Interact/collaborate with other writers
• Mediate and try breathing exercises to reduce stress
• Reduce your workload
• Stay in touch with friends and family
• Make frequent changes in your routine
• Take breaks from writing when you need to