When you say the word ‘Blogger’ what image springs to mind?
Does it scream ‘world class athlete’ with rippling muscles and a toned body?
Well, I don’t know about you, but to me, the word ‘blogger’ conjures up an image of someone hunched over a screen for hours, tapping away at their keyboard, peering blearily at their words of wisdom.
Embed from Getty ImagesA part-time blogger is probably in worse shape than a full-time blogger as it’s likely that they spend all day working at a computer in their day job and then come home and blog all evening. Not much time to exercise.
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Sitting
Extended periods of time sitting down is bad for your health and is linked to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The NHS website says that
Sitting for long periods is thought to slow the metabolism, which affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and break down body fat.
NHS website
In fact they go on to say that sitting for too long each day can increase the risk of early death!
What’s the Difference Between a Blogger and a Bus Driver?
This link was first discovered in the 1950s after research into the health of London bus drivers who sat down all day in comparison with London bus conductors who stood up all day.
So What Can You Do?
Set Yourself a Schedule (and Stick to It)
Set yourself a time period when you will blog. You’re going to have to use some sort of planner.
I like physical planners like this:
or this:
Get up every 30 minutes if you can. Grab yourself a drink. Stretch, walk around.
Take breaks from the screen:
We all know that screen time is bad for our eyes: I found this really great, informative article on A Life of Productivity which says it all.
Don’t Slouch
Think of the way you are sitting now. Your blogging workstation needs to be as good as your workstation in the office. If you are going to treat your blog as your business, you need to set yourself up a home ‘office’ even if it’s just the corner of your dining room table.
Sit Correctly
Get yourself an office chair so that you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight, to avoid repetitive strain injury.
Look After Your Neck and Back
Support your lower back, get yourself a footrest if necessary. Stretch, and if you feel tension in your back or your neck – STOP – and get up. Believe me – you have to look after your neck and back.
Shoulders
If you have ever had a frozen shoulder or problems with your rotator cuff, you will know just how painful and debilitating a shoulder injury can be. Look after your shoulders and if you use a mouse, think about buying a vertical mouse which will keep your shoulder in a more natural ‘open’ position.
I use the vertical mouse pictured below and I don’t suffer from any shoulder pain now. I couldn’t work without it!
Anker Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
Timer
Set a timer and don’t let your blogging session go on too long. It’s very easy to get totally absorbed in your writing and find you can’t actually bear to take your eyes from the screen. Set that timer so it will remind you to get up, move, walk to the kitchen, go outside.
Fresh Air
Talking of the great outdoors, when the weather is good enough, why not try blogging out in the garden.
Exercise, exercise, exercise
Either make sure you book yourself into regular classes at the gym – or simply take a walk. If you have a dog it will ensure you HAVE to take a walk!
Handwriting
Consider handwriting your blog draft. Instead of typing straight onto the screen, get yourself a notebook and a pen and write your blogpost or notes for your blogpost in longhand. Yes, you then have to type it up later but if you have done your revisions on paper, it will cut down the time you spend at the screen.
Talking of Time
Stick to your schedule and make sure you factor in time to meet friends and family. Your blog may absorb you but remember to take care of your mental health: don’t let it become an obsession.
Checking for Likes
When your first start blogging you can get hooked on ‘likes’. Don’t check your phone all evening for ‘like’ emails. Consider changing your settings so you don’t receive emails for every like and then when you log onto your blog, you can get a hit of likes all in one go! When your blog hits the heights of success, you’ll have to do this anyway, otherwise your Inbox will be overloaded!
Read Books
Blogging can take over that time when you used to read books. Make sure you still factor in time to keep up with your reading!
That’s It
Stay healthy, stay sane, don’t complicate your life – get yourself a great blog host like WordPress, Bluehost or Siteground to take care of the technical side.
Remember the most important thing in life is not your blog – it’s your health.
Kick back and read ‘A Blissful Day in the Life of a Blogger’
Here’s to your happy and healthy blogging lifestyle!
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© Michelle Le Grand
Out of the Office
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