Picture this; you settle down first thing in the morning to write and 8 hours later you are still there. You have hardly moved but you’ve had such a productive day that it really doesn’t matter. Does it? Well, yes it does. While it is necessary for you, as a writer, to sit, it isn’t healthy to sit for long periods of time, especially when you barely move. Studies show that there are significant health risks attached, including:

A much slower metabolism -  this affects the way the body burns fat, leaving you prone to weight gain and struggling to lose the excess pounds;

Obesity – linked to many other medical problems;

Increase in insulin resistance – a high-risk factor for type 2 diabetes;

Cardiovascular disease – even your heart doesn’t like you sitting still;

DVT – deep vein thrombosis or blood clotting is a very real risk and this can lead to pulmonary embolism;

Cancer – yes, you even have a higher risk factor for some cancers.

Even if you do hit the gym a couple of times a week, it isn’t any better for you. The real key is regular activity every day, several times a day. Try these tips:

Use a treadmill desk – it may take a bit of getting used to  but it will keep you on the move throughout the day;

A pedal device beneath your desk or an exercise ball that you need to balance on thus keeping your muscles on the move;

Break frequently – at least 10 minutes every hour although a short break is recommended after 20 to 30 minutes. Get up and walk around for a couple of minutes, stretch and loosen up your body.

If you struggle to do this, to pull yourself away from the computer, you could consider:

A timer that reminds you to take your breaks;

An activity tracker that will keep you motivated;

You can also “train” yourself to walk around when you make or take a phone call.

Get Walking

You can’t beat a good walk and a daily walk of between 30 minutes and one hour can bring about incredible health benefits. Even a gentle stroll can get the blood flowing and this has a two-fold effect – you get moving and your creativity will improve no end. Walking through the countryside can be psychologically beneficial. Even famous authors do it:

Virginia Woolf was famous for walking long distances every day. She used the time to spread out her mind, rest her brain and get the creative juices flowing. Another novelist by the name of Mohsin Hamid, responsible for How To Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, took his inspiration from an interview given by Haruki Murakami, a runner. Hamid began to go for long walks first thing every morning and he was soon covering a good 5 miles every day. He says this was responsible for increasing his writing productivity.

So, if the stars of the writing world can do it, there is no earthly reason why you can't. Obviously your home life will dictate that but there is no excuse for not getting up and moving about a couple of times every hour – your health will benefit and your body will thank you for it.