MARY GABLE

Working from home comes with tons of awesome perks. (Conference calls in pajamas being chief among them.) And while I love the flexibility and freedom it offers, telecommuting does have one downside:

When you don’t ever have to leave home, it’s hard to make yourself get up and move.

I can’t deny that I’m more focused, productive, and even more creative on days I manage to squeeze a workout in. And I’ve tried to build early-morning runs and weekly yoga classes into my daily routine. But sometimes it’s easier to just stay glued to the computer (or snoozing in bed) instead of getting moving.

So I’ve learned to take breaks. Even taking just 5 minutes to stretch and recharge helps.

I didn’t arrive at this conclusion totally on my own, though—I’ve stolen some tricks from some writers who have been there. Here are some resources I’ve found that help writers focus on writing (not to mention become healthier all-around):

• Sit up straight. This is so simple, yet so hard to actually do (for me, at least). But Sedentary Death Syndrome is just about the most insidious way to die I’ve ever heard, so I’m not giving up yet.
• Stretch your most important writing muscles—your fingers! I literally have Diana’s “six simple stretches” printed out and posted above my desk. My favorite is the rubber band stretch—great for relieving stiff hands. Ahhhhhh…
• Clear your head. Daphne Gray-Grant’s newsletter and blog offer practical, no-nonsense writing advice week after week. This list includes some great ways to quiet your mind and quash anxiety—and they have nothing to do with writing. Go watch a movie or take a walk! I’m always surprised by how my productivity level seems to reset after a little break.
• Eat smart. For me, taking a break from work often means going in search of a snack. Nobody needs a junk food-free home more than a work-from-home writer. Keep fresh, healthy foods on hand, and you’ll remain energized and focused throughout the day.

When I first tried these strategies, it all felt like a chore. (Kind of like exercise itself: you know it’s good for you, but sometimes you just. don’t. want. to.) Or I felt like I was slacking off for doing something other than work.

Now, these have pretty much become habit (okay, fine, I’m still working on the sitting up straight thing). And there’s no doubt my writing has benefited. I guess I haven’t been slacking after all.

Got more secrets to staying healthy and focused while working from home? I’d love to hear them. Let me know in the comments.