Writing for many people is a hobby, something they can do at night at home after work or on weekends in between other activities and the kids or grandkids. For hundreds of thousands if not millions, though, writing (as well as editing) is a fulltime endeavor, whether they be employed in a writing/editing position for a company or organization, or working on their own as a freelancer or independent contractor, sometimes at the home office, other times in a local coffee shop, perhaps writing a magazine article, a poem, or a book.
Health Concerns Linked to Writing/Editing
Writers not only need love, they also need to take care of their health, which is especially true considering how they spend beaucoup hours a day seated in front of a computer screen pecking away at a keyboard. Studies, per healthline.com, show that people whose jobs involve ample sitting are more susceptible to health issues such as weight gain (especially around the waist), heart disease, weakened legs and glutes, sore back, stiff neck and shoulders, varicose veins, a higher risk of diabetes, and even anxiety and depression. Then there's the always-lurking carpal tunnel syndrome. Almost all professional writers/editors must be able to communicate exceptionally well, not only in terms of adhering to proper grammar and punctuation, but also abiding by the deadlines, parameters, and needs set forth by whomever employs them. Hitting deadlines and getting things right requires constant focus as well as high energy, mental acuity, and ability to handle stress. It's no wonder nutritional supplements should be a part of every writer's daily dietary regimen.Vitamins and Supplements for Writers/Editors
Following are an assortment of vitamins and supplements that can serve writers and editors well in their search for a healthier, stronger level of excellence in their work:- Acetyl l-carnitine. This amino acid kills several birds with one stone when it comes to boosting a writer's ability to handle the rigors of his or her craft by bolstering your overall brain function while also boosting carbohydrate use, thus assisting in the regulation of cellular energy production, per bodybuilding.com.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin). Your brain needs a steady dose of glucose to hit on all cylinders energy-wise, and vitamin B3 can handle that role well. A severe deficiency of B3 can lead to neurological issues such as poor concentration, confusion and memory, per livestrong.com.
- Vitamin B6. For one thing, a B6 deficiency has been linked to an increased likelihood of the development of carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful overuse injury most closely associated to desktop keyboard use resulting in inflammation, tissue damage, and strain, causing pain in the hands and wrists, per draxe.com.
- Vitamin B12. One of the most popular vitamins on the market, B12 is another vitamin that can provide a good boost in terms of focus. Without enough B12 in your body, per livestrong.com, you run the risk of problems such as loss of concentration and memory as well as disorientation and even dementia because of damage to the myelin sheaths surrounding nerves, often the outcome of a B12 deficiency.
- Vitamin C. It has a central role in the production of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that helps facilitate the segment of your brain that controls your attention (focus) and responses. Because it is a potent antioxidant, vitamin C also helps guard your brain against free radicals – unstable molecules that can cause cell damage, per livestrong.com.
- Caffeine. A jolt of caffeine can be a big help in terms of focus and concentration, and it can kick out the last vestiges of early-morning drowsiness, although caffeine is not for everyone, at times associated with an uncomfortable racing heartbeat.
- Ginkgo biloba. A well-known booster of brainpower, ginkgo biloba is an antioxidant that contributes to the never-ending battle against unhealthy free radicals and has shown effectiveness in enhancing blood flow. Among its benefits, per bodybuilding.com, is that it can enhance your abilities to learn new skills and better remember old ones.
- Valerin. This is Wonder Labs' brand name for valerian root, a plant native to Europe, per takecareof.com. For centuries it has been used for treating nervousness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances – conditions known at times to plague writers whose work requires them to frequently strive to hit deadlines and create with excellence while also taking their work to bed with them (tucked inside those overactive minds alongside creative juices).