Are You Willing To Blog Until You Drop?
There was a 2-page article published in the online edition of the New York Times titled "In Web World of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog Till They Drop". The author mentioned 3 bloggers who had heart attacks (2 of which were fatal) that are presumed to be related to blogging.
Michael Arrington of TechCrunch was quoted as saying "At some point, I’ll have a nervous breakdown and be admitted to the hospital, or something else will happen", that he gained 30 pounds in the last 3 years and that he developed a severe sleeping disorder.
Another opinion piece published at InformationWeek, "Blogging As Fast As We Can", suggests the high stress of blogging may be the cause. Some of the comments are worth reading.
While it's impossible to link the heart attacks specifically to blogging, it's a pretty good assumption the sedentary lifestyle attributed to most bloggers contributed to the heart attacks.
Do You Blog As Fast As You Can?
Are you trying to get the latest and the greatest posted so you can rank higher in the search engine results before anyone else does? Are you pushing yourself to post more often to increase your advertising revenue? Do you simply have a lot on your mind and need to get it "out there"? Is it an ego thing?
Even if blogging is your career and you spend countless hours doing it for whatever reasons, there are things you can do to decrease your chances of having health problems.
Get Some Exercise
I can't stress this enough. I've spent more than 30 years sitting behind a desk as my primary occupation. In the military, I spent as much time away from the desk as behind it because of my other duties. After I retired, I had to make time to get away from the desk in order to keep myself healthy. Even so, I put on extra weight which I'm only now getting rid of.
If you spend most of your day at the computer, like I do, make sure you get up and away from it at least once per hour. Even if you're watching a movie (on your computer), you should pause it and get up and walk around at least once or twice before it's over. While you're away from your computer, do some stretching exercises and work on your posture.
Your body will thank you.
Get Some Sleep
Recent research suggests 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day, even for old farts like me. If you can't sleep for a long period all at once, sleep more times per day. If for some reason I can't sleep for at least 7 hours, I'll make sure I take a nap during the day.
There is nothing, and it bears repeating, that can't wait for at least 8 hours to be published. Sitting at a computer, even if you're relaxed in your chair while staring or reading, is NOT a rest position. Get some sleep and stop worrying about it.
Again, your body will thank you.
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My new plan is to aim for once a day on both blogs. But it won't cause me any sleepless nights if I don't hit the target. I enjoy blogging, but there are other things to do.
And I walk to and from the station and work – striding through the busy london streets keeps my weight at a decent level.
Ray's last blog post..Comment King
Your post really hit home with me. I used to use my lunch hour to respond to comments and perform other blogging duties, but I really need that time to get away from the office. Trying to walk for half an hour. If I have time left for comment responses, great. If not, it can wait until I get home.
My health and well-being have to take center stage again. I can see falling into the blogging abyss if I don't do something about it.
Kathy's last blog post..Pick a Card, Any Card
I may not be in the greatest health, but I'm pretty good at "me-first" stuff, like sleeping, exercising, and just good ol' down time. Nothing interferes with that. Maybe it should!
JD's last blog post..I Eat the Whole Donut so you don’t have to
This is sage advice that can be applied to a lot more than just blogging!
I blog/update the site/check stats/research FAR too often, check the Blackberry, etc… glued to the things, afraid to miss a beat. I have been forcing myself to get more physical, my routine has really been shot.
Thanks for the kick in the pants!
Tee – Joyful Digesting's last blog post..Plain Talk About Poop
Good reminder to keep balance in your life. I get lots of exercise at work, and I still get stiff from sitting in the evening. And I find myself setting the alarm too early to get time to post before work. I hesitate to say we should all be more like JD, but ….
Tim's last blog post..Central Alberta Trades Expo at the Westerner Park, April 12 – 2008
Too much of something is not good. We should have enough time to rest especially enough time to sleep to avoid stress and mood swings.
This was something that was published on my local newspaper as well.
I entirely agree with you. Blogging can become too much of an addiction and it's up to the individual concerned to prioritize other things in life – like life
hari's last blog post..Boxi and Panjo – Low Fat Diet
I never put this kind of pressure on myself, pressure to publish a post every single day, or feel compelled to glue myself to the computer to immediately respond to comments.
I am a writer, but I also have a life aside from my blogs, and family responsibilities to attend to.
Unfortunately, I've seen many bloggers (especially blogging Mom's) attempt to fulfill posting 365 days a year, and their posts suffer because of it.
I've unsubscribed from numerous blogs due to the writer's having nothing of value to say or something that interests me, or they post Wordless Wednesday posts with a photo with virtually no story at all. Boring…..Yawn……….Unsubscribed.
If ya don't have something of value to say, don't say anything for pete's sake.
Lin Burress's last blog post..A Child’s Ten Commandments For Parents
If you unsubscribe from my blog, I'll send a nuclear fart through the telephone line (I have DSL remember?) and blow up your blog.
Trust me, I just need a little chili to get me going.
ROFLMAO, I wasn't referring to YOU!
Just certain people, that shall go nameless, tend to bore me to
vomittears so I end up unsub'ng.Lin Burress's last blog post..A Child’s Ten Commandments For Parents
I really need some exercise. Thank god Summer is almost here.
RN
Reel Ninja's last blog post..Citizen Duane
I m writer but I also have a life aside from my blogs, and family responsibilities to attend to.My health and well-being have to take center stage again. I can see falling into the blogging abyss if I don't do something about it.
My latest blog post: Time To Know About Dvdxcopy
I too am on the computer too long, but I can't imagine being on so long that I don't do anything else and blog myself too death! Get up every body!
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