The Hidden Toll: When Work Makes Writers Sick

Medical issues, stress, and diet for writers and other screen people.

You don't get ulcers from what you eat. You get them from what's eating you.

Vicki Baum

Like everyone who shows up in an emergency room, I was sure I was dying.

This is it. I’m dead. I don’t know why, but I’m just a hairs-width from death!

As you can tell, I wasn’t dying and, to the best of my knowledge, am not now.

It was high blood pressure that drove me to the ER. For a week solid, my heartbeat thumped in my neck and in my ears, turning them (and my cheeks) a constant shade of scarlet.

This is highly unusual, as my BP trends low. So low that I have to stand up carefully, lest I get dizzy and pass out.

The numbers weren’t anywhere near heart attack territory, but I knew something was wrong, and my PCP couldn’t get me in til September. So I went to the ER, ready to be told I was having one of those “silent heart attacks” women are prone to.

But I wasn’t. I had an ulcer.

Who knew an ulcer could raise your BP like that? In severe cases, it can give you rapid heartbeat and other cardiac problems too. And how did I get an ulcer?

Was it the three cups of coffee a day, 2 Diet Mountain dews, and a sprinkling of Excedrin extra strength?

Yeah… probably.

The ER doctor was kind and didn’t make me feel stupid for coming in. But she wanted me to follow up with my PCP because, as she said, "Stress can manifest in a lot of ways, often in the most unexpected forms."

The misadventure made me take a good look at my life, and I think some of you might have the same afflictions I do.

We all do our work in a sedentary environment. We sit in front of screens and share whimsical memes online about the sheer volume of caffeine we consume. We need it because we’re sitting. Maybe some people even write lying down. You need the caffeine to make your brain work.

And if you’re like me, you eat when you’re sad. Or bored. Or overworked. And somehow, it’s never broccoli.

The writing life, while incredibly rewarding, comes with its own set of health challenges.

In an effort to keep you from making the same mistake I did, here’s some of the fun-filled issues that we as writers are more prone to:

The Sedentary Struggle: Barely moving out of your computer chair or couch all day can lead to weight gain, back problems, and even that horrible hump in your upper back you sometimes see older ladies sporting. Try not to fold yourself into a banana shape while you’re working or scrolling.

Eye Strain: Staring at screens for as long as we do means headaches, dry eyes, and feelings of tiredness. Eye drops, blue light filtered glasses, and taking regular breaks is a must. Dogs and kids are good at making you take breaks :)

The Unsettling Ulcers: As my own story illuminated, the stress of deadlines and the constant quest for perfection can lead to ulcers. Also, coffee is hard on the stomach. Eat something with your coffee. If you get headaches the way I do, read the label on your OTC meds. Excedrin, for instance, says to take the pills with a meal or full glass of water. As you can guess, I never followed those directions.

Isolation Impact: “Just one more chapter.” Or “I just need to get this scene right.” And befor eyou know it, you’ve been holed up in your basement for the entire weekend. Writing, by nature, is a solitary endeavor. Being alone too long can make you sad, make you lonely, and make your body hurt. For some reason, we’re not allowed to have emotional pain without the body getting in on the action.

There’s also the matter of being overworked. Most of us have day jobs in addition to our writing, and that day job is probably also at a desk staring at a screen.

Our bodies deserve just as much care as our creative minds. Taking breaks, going on walks, and getting outside are restorative and prevent most of the issues I just listed.

If you’re a gym person, all the better.

A good start is to make sure your office is easy on your body. Get yourself a quality chair (THIS IS THE ONE I USE) and, if you have a herniated disc or other back problems, like I do, my life has been changed by the better by my STANDING DESK ADAPTER.

Small changes make a big difference over time.

Let my story serve as a reminder: our words have power, but so do our bodies. It's time to embrace a more holistic approach to our craft – one that nourishes both our creativity and our well-being.