Food plays a big role in how creative we are or feel we are, how we feel about our workload or new assignments, and how we are able to focus and stay on task. It is not often that we relate nutrition to how well we write, but when you think about it, many of the things that hinder us could be food- and lifestyle-related: writer's block, giving in to distraction, difficulty sitting still and in silence, discouragement, inability to pull the words from our heads onto the page. Any of these could tie into what we are physically feeding our bodies and brains.
If you are fasting or settling yourself into a new eating plan this month like many people are and you've begun to notice sharper focus, more creativity, less confusion and brain fog, and that you are getting more done, then could it be that what you are eating is part of the reason? Prayer, of course, may be part of it, if you are praying and fasting as this is a popular time for the Daniel Fast. But the foods we take in during seasons of fasting or detox are the same foods that boost brain function, concentration, creativity, and memory.
Foods like fresh and raw fruits and vegetables in the form of salads, juices, and smoothies top the list of brain-boosting foods. Nuts, grains, and legumes are also huge players in healthy brain function. WritersMag.com customized a list of 8 healthy brain foods for writers. They include things such as:
Nuts
Kale
Edamame
Avocados
Salmon
Other brain-boosting foods include berries, whole grains, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, and dark chocolate.
Do these lists of foods read somewhat like the list of allowable foods on your current fast or detox?
Healthline.com then shares a list of foods that keep your brain from functioning at its best, including sugary foods, fast foods, fried foods, and other highly processed foods. Do any of these foods take the lead in your eating habits when the “new year, new you” season dies down? Not just you, but me too: we got to keep this healthy eating pattern going throughout the year not just in January. Our writing is worth it!
Water, restful sleep, and exercise also play a big part in our having access to the brain function that helps us write and ideate well.
Writing is holistic. It filters through our whole being—our bodies, minds, and spirits. For writers and other creatives, our brains are our production centers and we can’t leave out the elements that aid in their ability to function well. We must feed them so they can feed us ideas that serve God and the world we create for.
Is your call to write important enough to you that you would consider a lifestyle change to enhance your gift and skill?
What do you think of the idea of eating well to write well?
How closely do you think a healthy lifestyle plays into being creative and dealing with the ups and downs of the writing life?