Listening to Your Body Can Make You a Better Writer

I’m sure you will think this has nothing to do with being a better writer, but I will argue that point. In fact, I will argue that it not only will improve your writing, it will improve your quality of life.

It’s nothing new. You already know it. You’ve heard it before. It’s common sense. The problem is it’s not common practice.

Here it is (my version): get enough sleep for your body.

For years, I strived for at least eight hours of sleep. And even though I often woke up at five or even earlier, I stayed in bed and tried to sleep longer, knowing that I would be healthier, happier if I did. It more or less worked for me, but I was young and adaptable.

And then a few years ago, I began waking up in the middle of the night, usually sometime between one and three, and not being able to get back to sleep. Some nights, I couldn’t fall asleep to begin with. It became a battle every night. I tried everything suggested – melatonin (don’t recommend), eating earlier, going to bed earlier, cooler temperature, blocking the light, shutting the computer off early, but I was still tired most days.

On the days I woke up and forced myself back to sleep, I had awful, weird dreams. And I was tired, and grumpy (sorry Nick), most days.

I’ve always been a go-to-bed early person. My preferred bedtime is 8:30 so I can read for at least an hour. My goal was always to sleep until 6:30, but as I mentioned, it was a battle, and rarely did I feel rested even when I more or less succeeded.

Finally, I decided I’d had enough of the wrestling match. I gave myself permission to get up when I work up. My only rule was it had to be at least six hours after I went to sleep.

That next morning, I woke up at 4:30. The house was silent, but I was wide awake. So I got up. While my tea brewed, I took care of foster puppies (who were surprised to see me!). And then I settled on the sofa with Otis (who had woken Nick up to follow me downstairs), and read and journaled until the darkness outside began to lessen. I did my morning yoga stint, and went for a long walk, watching the sun come up and listening to a podcast.

That day, I felt so rested and refreshed. My mind worked better. My writing came easier.

For the last year, I’ve continued this practice of rising pretty much every morning around 4:30 when my body wakes up. I never use an alarm clock. Sometimes it’s closer to four and sometimes closer to five, but without fail that’s when I wake up. Even when we traveled to California, and on every shelter tour (poor Nancy who shares a room with me!).

On the nights when I wake up between one and three, I generally fall right back to sleep. It’s rare for me to toss and turn (unless I’ve had too much red wine – a lesson I struggle to remember).

My writing, which a year ago felt stuck, has progressed since then. I finally finished not one, but three writing projects. (which has become quite a juggling act of working the path to publication times three)

I know drinking more water helped (read about that here), but allowing my body to dictate my sleep has been a real game changer in my ability to focus and work.

It’s clear I need between 6.5 and 7 hours of sleep. Everyone is different. Maybe you need more, maybe you need less. Tomorrow, though, instead of rolling over and hitting snooze, get up when your body wakes up. And go to bed when it wants to go to bed. Your body knows you better than anyone. For your health and your heart (and your writing), listen to it.

Hey, thanks for reading. I know you’ve got lots of options, so thanks for sharing a few of your minutes with me.

Honored,

Cara

p.s. I’m currently on a shelter tour in the south. If you’d like to follow along on the adventure (we’re visiting eleven shelters in twelve days), find us on Facebook or Instagram. And learn more about the nonprofit I co-founded, here.

My latest novel, Blind Turn is a mother-daughter story of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident. It won the Womens Fiction category of the American Writing Awards in 2022. Learn more about it and find out how to get your copy here.

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If you’re curious about what else I’m up to, check out my website, CaraWrites.com.

If you’re a dog lover, check out my other blog, Another Good Dog. And if you want to know what is really happening in the animal shelters in this country, visit, Who Will Let the Dogs Out, and subscribe to the blog I write there.

I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, and I’m thrilled to get email from readers (and writers), you can reach me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

My book, 100 Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues is available anywhere books are sold, but if you’d like some help finding it (or want to read some lovely reviews), click here.