The Healthy Writer Paperback

Ive been following Joanna since 2015 and this book really surprised me. I struggled with lots of the Issues mentioned in the book, specially lack of sleep, low back pain. There were moments when I thought I was the only one struggling! Thanks for this book!

I Picked up this book after listening to one of the authors on a podcast. It is very informative about issues that plague writers or many other professions where sitting and staring at screens for long hours are the norm. What I really liked is that the writers take from their own experiences, but also take from the experiences of many others who are surveyed about various physical and mental ailments. This isn't a simple diet and exercise book. Even though one of the authors is a doctor, they are quick to point out that this point is about finding ways to alleviate and eliminate issues that stem from being a writer. It's not a health plan, and shouldn't be substituted for regular medical advice from your own physician. However, I do think a lot of would be a lot better off following some of the simple suggestions. Eat less, Move More for example. Overall I liked this book but felt a lot of it didn't apply to me. I'm sure a significant amount didn't apply to the authors either, they were just being thorough and there is nothing wrong with that.

I learned and get lot of good suggestions from this book. Joanna has done important compilation . It is inspiring.

A must read for every writer

The Healthy Writer pointed out common health issues that writers face, and many practical ways of overcoming them. I particularly enjoyed the section on dictation and hope to make this a part of my routine. We already spend so much time in front of screens, and need to get away from the dreaded ‘blue light.’ The section on mental health was also inspiring and reminded me that I already know the strategies to stay creative, it’s just a matter of allowing for time off. Resting is very important! Pick up this book if you are stressed, tired or in pain. And be kind to yourself.

Great information in the book. Useful and practical and very professional. I listened to it on audiobook first and then bought the book so I'd have a desktop reference because I need to return to the information weekly; the healthy practice reminders mostly. I recommend this for anyone who works at a desk all day.

The Healthy Writer, by Joanna Penn and Dr. Euan Lawson is all about health-related problems that writers can face. This runs the gamut from physical ailments such as eyestrain and weight gain, to more psychological issues including loneliness and depression. As a writer myself, I know I found a lot of these topics to be incredibly relatable. Back pain? Not getting enough exercise? I’ve so been there. And so have many others. One of my favorite parts of the book is all the personal stories it contains. While writing The Healthy Writer, the authors sent out a survey asking people to share their personal health struggles and triumphs. The book then intersplices quotes from this survey throughout each chapter. Reading through these experiences, as well as Joanna and Euan’s own personal narratives, really made me feel as if I wasn’t alone. The Healthy Writer, as you may have guessed from the wide variety of subjects covered, is more of a general overview than a deep dive into specific topics. Yes, certain chapters, such as the one on setting up your workstation to prevent RSI, do go into more detail. But others provide more general advice, such as trying out yoga to treat back pain. This means that if you have a specific problem you’re looking to tackle, you may need to look further than just this book (maybe even to your doctor). The writers do make sure to provide further resources in each chapter, from books to smart phone aps. In addition, because this is an overview, a lot of advice presented here can feel pretty obvious. But given the amount of people (myself included) that need to eat healthier, and spend more time moving, I don’t think that retreading the basics is necessarily a bad idea. More than anything else, The Healthy Writer is a good wake up call, a gentle reminder that while we may spend most of our time in our own heads, creating stories and writing words, that our bodies are important too. And it’s only by taking care of ourselves can we hope to have a long and happy career.

In many ways there's nothing earth-shattering in this book from Joanna Penn and Euan Lawson, but that doesn't mean I didn't need to read it and - most importantly - take action! For many of us, writing means sitting on our backside for hours. It's simply not good for us - physically or mentally. My hips are aching as I write this because I've been writing in bed on my laptop for a couple of hours, so getting up and MOVING is going to help me in so many ways. That's the simple and important message that Euan and Joanna share. They each move in different ways, and they urge us to find the ways that we like to move. The benefits to their writing and creativity are inspiring to read. I know it, I've experienced it and now I just need to put it into practice on a regular basis. Do I want to be an aching, overweight writer for the rest of my life? No, I do not. And this book helps with many resources and ideas to help me be the healthiest and most productive writer I can. Time to move!

Covers all the things I can relate to, plus a list of aches and pains I had not yet considered - but will be proactive about now. Easy to read, well structured and clear process to act upon recommendations. Grounded in both medical know-how and real people experience. A great read.

Joanna Penn and Dr. Lawson do a great job of discussing the difficulties and negative consequences of hours spent writing. While they start the book off with the positives a writing career can offer one's health, the bulk of the book addresses the mental and physical challenges. The chapter headings make it easy to find chapters addressing particular concerns (gaining weight, repetitive use injury, etc.), Many of the chapters end with questions so a reader can assess how they are doing in specific areas. Many chapters also end with a listing of resources related to the topic covered. It's a practical book and really one every writer, or anyone who spends hours on a computer, should own as a reference. But it's also a pleasant read written in an informal, informative style. As a writer, I've thought of many of the issues covered in The Healthy Writer. Reading Joanna Penn's and Euan Lawson's take on it let me know I'm not alone and outlined what might be helpful.

As with most Joanna Penn books I found so much useful information her. If you are a writer this book offers useable, helpful information and insights into the health risks that come with being a writer and spending your days at your desk. The no shaming, start where you are attitude and Joanna's personal stories about her health struggles make you feel like you are not alone. A worthy edition to her like of books for writers.

As always, Joanna Penn (this time with co-writer Dr. Euan Lawson) has delivered an informative, helpful, and inspiring book for authors. While much of the health advice inside is either common sense or information that writers likely have heard before, Penn and Dr. Lawson explain the medical aspects clearly, share anecdotes from their own health journeys, and offer simple, actionable advice that applies specifically to writers. Beyond physical health, they also dive into emotional and psychological well-being, which are so often overlooked by similar books. After reading The Healthy Writer, I feel less alone with some of my health concerns and have the tools I need to improve my writing workspace and develop healthier habits. Recommended for fans of Penn's other nonfiction titles and for any writer (or even individuals in office jobs) who have felt the negative physical/emotional effects of a sedentary career and want to improve their health.

This could so easily have been a bland, holier-than-thou kind of book begging to be skim-read and never looked at again. What makes it a cut above the rest is that both authors, but particularly Joanna, are candid about their own various struggles with being healthy and neither claims to be a paragon now. Joanna Penn is a successful writer of both fiction and non-fiction having been a pioneer of indie publishing. As I read her very personal accounts of her health struggles, and those of her husband (who also deserves thanks and praise for allowing his experience to be included), I felt that what the book has to say resonated so much more with me. Her "Letter to Sugar" brought a lump to the throat of even cynical old me - and very little gets through my defences! Euan Lawson, British GP and co-author, is a refreshingly open kind of a doctor - he readily accepts that science doesn't yet have all the answers, particularly when it comes to diet (except when it comes to sugar). The book begins by setting the scene - looking at all the reasons why writing is good for us and then listing the challenges. Euan's description of back pain hit a chord with me and Joanna's account of her challenges with food also hit the nail on the head. The second part of the book gives practical suggestions for counteracting the sedentary life. As they acknowledge, this isn't rocket science, but it's very useful to see it applied specifically to writers and to have it all together. My only criticism is that I felt the book could have been longer - I got to the end of some of the chapters wanting to know more. There are links for further reading, but I was enjoying the way the information was being presented and could have done with a little more depth. Overall, though, the book is wonderful - not least because it helps reassure me that the struggles I have with exercise and diet (in particular) are common and also that the actions I'd already taken (standing desk, more walking, cutting carbs) are the right ones. This should be read by anyone embarking on a career in writing - or any desk job.