As promised, I’m back to encourage every creative to take better care of themselves and their precious ability to create. This post has been delayed because I’ve had my OWN health struggles going on, so please, know that I come at this from a place of am there/been there/done that/then wrote a book. I’m not perfect, I’m not a health guru, but I do know that taking care of myself is key to being able to continue to create at a prolific rate.
This post is all about food.
None of it is new information. Think of this as a reminder. I know, I know. No one wants to talk about diet, really. We’ve ALL been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and promptly burned that fucker. But…..
It really does make a difference.
I know from personal experience that when I eat well, I am more motivated to write, and things just come easier. My mood is better, which in turn makes me want to create and allows me to do so with more ease. In looking into the science behind this, I found some articles on the link between diet and creativity, but they were mostly based on children. HOWEVER, what I found was tons of research and evidence proving what you probably know by now if you’ve ever done any research into diet.
Eating a diet that is low in refined sugars, simple carbs, saturated fats, and processed foods and that is rich in complex carbs, healthy fats, lean protein, and plenty of fruits and vegetables lowers inflammation in the body. Inflammation can have massive effects on not only how you feel in general and your propensity for developing a whole host of health conditions, it ALSO negatively affects brain function, including mood, cognition, and energy levels.
Can you see how all of that might impact your creativity?
Put another way, if you put trash fuel into your engine, it’s going to mess things up and leave you sputtering and missing. Put in quality fuel so you can keep things running smoothly.
And trust me, I KNOW how hard this is. As a writer who spends a lot of time sitting or standing in one place staring at a screen, I know exactly how easy it is to have sugary or carby/fatty snacks like candy or chips just sitting around where you can mindlessly munch on them while you work. That’s a habit I got rid of a while ago, but the urge is still there every once in a while. And I know that when you’re stressed about a deadline or a project’s success or you are navigating the world of social media and reviews and income, stress eating is a BIG temptation.
But do yourself a favor and pay a little more attention to how you’re treating your creative instrument (your mind and body) by trying to make some healthier choices. I promise you’ll see some results. They might be small things like a little extra energy or a smidge more clear-headed focus, but the longer you keep at it, the more the benefits grow.
It’s all stuff most of us already know, but I know I personally could use a reminder from time to time, so here’s the list of musts to keep you humming along and creating your best:
- Hydrate. Drink water, low caffeine, decaf or herbal teas, etc. If you drink juice, make sure you limit it because it can have a lot of sugar and you’ve taken out all the fiber, so it will spike your blood sugar, then lead to a crash.
- Limit or eliminate added sugar/refined sugar and simple carbs. Again, they can make your blood sugar spike, then fall, which leads to dips in energy, mood, and mental clarity.
- Eat as many fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables as possible. This loads you up with fiber, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants that will keep inflammation at bay.
- Eat adequate protein. Opinions and studies vary when talking about how much protein is required for optimal function. But just choose lean proteins that are lower in saturated fats whenever possible and include some protein with every meal and you’re on the right track.
- If you suspect you may have food allergies or sensitivities, try an elimination diet and/or work with your doctor to identify and eliminate these. It can have a massive impact on your cognitive function.
- Take breaks from whatever creative endeavor you are working on to eat meals and snacks. Don’t fall prey to the temptation to eat while you work. Using mindfulness while eating can lower stress, help with digestion, and help you re-focus when you’re ready to get to work again.
I know it’s hard sometimes to do all the things that we need to do to keep ourselves healthy. It can seem like a lot to manage, especially in addition to our busy creative lives. But think of it as part of your creative work to take care of yourself. You want to use the best instruments and tools possible when you create, and your biggest asset and most important took is your mind and body.
Good luck!
Love,
Kaye
Supporting research info is just a google search away, but here are just a few examples of how diet affects your creativity and thinking, to get you started:
British Journal of Health Psychology