Last Updated on by Michael Brockbank
Your level of comfort will affect how you work, whether you’re a writer or an Uber driver. If you’re not feeling “good” in general, it can lead to poor quality. Luckily, it’s not all that difficult to improve writing comfort to offer the best you can for yourself or clients.
And I’m talking both from a scientific standpoint and personal experience over the last decade. But in reality, it all comes down to your own experiences and how you adapt.
Everyone is different. What hindered my quality may not impact you at all.
Today, I’ll go over some of the more problematic things that affect writing comfort and what you can do to combat those issues.
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Effects of Poor Writing Comfort
How you feel, both in your mind and body, will directly impact the quality of work you produce. This is true whether you’re a writer, blogger, or install kitchen cabinets.
In fact, a study shows how environmental comfort can affect employee quality in a traditional office environment. It only stands to reason how working from home can have a similar impact.
Or course, this study was focusing on humidity, light levels, and room temperature. However, physical stress, such as a poor chair to sit in, can affect workflow and quality.
In reality, all forms of stress will affect how you perform your job, even when writing from home.
What Impacts Writing Comfort?
As a freelancer, I’ve come across a myriad of things that affect how I create content for clients. Since 2012, I’ve discovered a lot of things about myself in regards to what improves productivity.
Now, the following points are based on my own personal observations and scientific papers. Not everyone is affected by these in the same way. Nonetheless, they are things you may want to consider.
Physical Comfort Levels on Writing Comfort
OK, what kind of things will affect your writing from a physical point of view? Actually, there are quite a few.
It’s funny how things in the physical world can greatly contribute to your success. But if you’re body isn’t feeling it, you might not get as far as you’d like.
For instance, you might be affected by:
Poor Lighting
Lighting can contribute to a myriad of problems while working from home. If it’s too bright or dark, it can result in eye strain. This often can lead to headaches and migraines, especially when staring at a computer screen all day.
Personally, I prefer natural light. After working in both dark basements and very well lit rooms, having plenty of light available makes it far easier to write content.
Room Temperature
The overall ambient temperature of your room or office space can result in poor writing comfort. And this is one where you might have to experiment to find ideal levels.
Not everyone is efficient at the same temp. In fact, OSHA recommends the temperature ranges between 68 and 76° Fahrenheit. Personally, I find my comfort zone is usually around 72°F.
Humidity
According to the same guidelines by OSHA, the humidity level of your workspace can also affect your quality of work. This is more to help people avoid illnesses and bad air quality.
For me, I thrive at 50 to 60% humidity. Part of this, though, is because I have psoriasis. And the humidity makes it far more comfortable for me to work.
Your Workspace
The workspace you set up can also affect how you work from home as a writer. This could include things like:
- A cluttered desk.
- Too small of a room and claustrophobia.
- The height of your chair versus where you place your hands on the keyboard.
- The size of your monitor as you could strain the eyes looking at a small screen.
- Being too close to distractions, such as the TV or games.
Remember, you might not be affected by any of these. In fact, I know quite a few people who are more comfortable working from a desk that is littered with random things.
For me, though, a clean desk takes away distractions and I find I am able to focus more on the workload.
Your Chair
I know that a chair is part of your workspace, but it’s a vital element to writing comfort. If your back, legs, and butt are uncomfortable or getting sore, it gets more difficult to stay focused.
And this is speaking from experience. I know I am far more productive in my nice $200 Lazy Boy than I ever was in my $20 Walmart special. So yes, a good chair is an incredible investment to make more money as a writer.
Poor Diet
Your brain needs a certain level of nutrition. And since your mind is the most important organ as a writer, you want it to be in top shape. This is why you want foods that benefit the brain and help keep you focused and alert.
Since I’ve been on my health kick, I’ve been far more productive. Well, for my clients anyway. Now, I’m not on any special diet and still eat the junk I did before. But, I now include healthier alternatives and eat less.
Lack of Sleep
A lack of sleep can cause all kinds of havoc on a writer. Perhaps two of the more prominent are a lack of motivation and clumsiness. Though, every symptom can have severe repercussions when creating content.
I know some people easily thrive as writers at night. But I am clearly not one of them. Without a good night’s rest, it’s far more difficult to maintain myself as a professional.
Mental Comfort Levels on Writing Comfort
Obviously, your mental state is going to influence how well you work in any job. From the frustrated cook at McDonald’s to handling clients on Textbroker, mental health is VASTLY important.
Coincidentally, many of the things that affect you physically will weigh heavily on your mindset. But, let’s take a look at a few of the more pronounced issues of mental comfort.
Having a Negative Opinion of the Job
Being in the wrong mindset when doing a job will influence your opinion of the task. In other words, if you hate what you do, you’re not going to be as productive. This is why many experts say, “Do what you love.”
There have been pieces of content that I didn’t want to work on for clients. And yes, I’ve noticed an increase in revision requests as well as the time it takes to complete the project.
Dealing with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Perhaps the easiest things to identify when it comes to writing comfort levels are the ones that do the most damage. When you’re stressed, anxious, or depressed, a lot of things are happening. And they can easily sap your motivation and determination.
These are all elements I fight on a regular basis. However, getting into good habits, focusing on myself, and not caring about the things I cannot change have made a huge difference in my life.
Distractions from Noises
Many of us are easily distracted when it comes to noises. In fact, I know many people who can lose focus from the slightest bump in the next room. This is more of a personal thing, though. You might not be as sensitive.
I usually have a playlist of motivating music going on in the background. I set the volume to just being able to hear the song so that it’s not too distracting.
Lack of Sleep
Again, no sleep can really screw with you as a freelance writer. Aside from the physical issues, it can make concentrating damn near impossible. Of course, this also depends on how much you deprive yourself.
According to the Sleep Foundation, adults ages 26 to 64 should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night. I’m lucky to hit 6 on most, and I had less than 4 last night. That’s because I have an uncomfortable bed, though.
Yes, I am feeling the drag today.
How You Can Improve Writing Comfort
OK, so now we know what can disrupt your freelance writing, how do we go about fixing the issue? Actually, there are several things you can do right now that might have an immediate impact.
Though, some may need a bit of an investment of time before you really see the benefits. It’s all about getting yourself into some good habits while writing.
Get Enough Sleep
I can’t stress sleep enough. I talk about sleep quite often and have experienced first-hand how it affects workload. One of the scariest moments is when I was so tired I hallucinated while working at the gas station.
In my experience, things like verbiage, sentence structure, the article layout, and personality are affected when I write while tired. In reality, I’m usually far more vulgar and have to proofread far more often.
Find a way to get your ideal amount of sleep every night. I know it’s going to be difficult, but it’s something that may have a huge impact on your writing career.
Create a Good Schedule For Yourself
I know that everyone new to working from home relishes in the idea of working when they want. But the truth of the matter is your schedule has an influence on your success.
For instance, I started by writing every night when I got home from work. But, most of my clients were businesses that were open from 9 to 5…and they wanted to keep in immediate contact with me.
In the end, I found working a normal business-hour shift to be more productive. But remember, this is personal experience. You might thrive at night.
The point is you need to find the times of the day when you’re the most productive and comfortable while working.
Invest in a Good Chair
A good chair can do wonders for your writing. The last thing you want is your back stressed because of how you sit.
As I said earlier, I am far more productive in my more expensive chair. And looking back at the numbers, I can see exactly when I made the purchase. In fact, the chair has easily paid for itself and then some thanks to being able to sustain writing for longer periods of time.
Now, if I could only sit in my nice chair without a cat thinking my lap is the perfect place to sleep, my writing comfort level would be through the roof!
Decorate Your Office for “Warmth”
When I say, “warmth,” I’m not necessarily talking about room temperature. Although, that is definitely part of creating a great atmosphere to write.
Get good lighting, add some plants, and make the office a place you enjoy. Being excited to sit at your desk to write because you love the room can go a very long way to boosting your success.
It’s all about creating a place that motivates and inspires you. And it’s all about decorating it how you want.
Select Niches You’re Interested In
Writing about topics you have no interest in or despise will influence the quality of work you produce. As a freelance writer, choose the topics that pique your interest. The more you enjoy an industry, the better your chances of success.
But, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. I found that I like writing about marketing, business, and travel more than I did about computers and networking (which was my background).
I’ll go over that more in a moment.
Exercise More Often
Yes, exercise and fitness will play a role in writing content. This is because fitness doesn’t just affect the body. Keep in mind that exercise increases brainpower, and that is important to a writer.
For me, I start the morning working up a sweat in front of the Xbox Kinect. I know many people who run several miles before writing. Any physical effort will help you relax, think clearer, and process information faster.
Not to mention how exercise is exceptionally good for handling stress.
So, it’s a good idea to get yourself into a daily habit of exercise. Just make sure it’s something you enjoy doing. If you view the workout as a mundane chore, you’re more likely to quit.
Eat Healthier to Boost Writing Comfort
Another part of fitness for the mind is eating healthier. Foods can affect everything from stress control to improving your memory.
Yes, I still have a weakness for chocolate peanut butter anything. But I also know the value of giving my body and brain what it needs to be efficient. Think of it this way; do you put mid-grade gas in your car or sand?
The more nutrients you get overall, the better your mind and body perform. And this is a paramount element for being successful as a writer.
Yes, I know you can be successful without fitness. But, imagine how much more successful you’d be if you took care of your body and mind.
Energize Yourself
A good way to boost writing comfort is to get energized about the day. As I said earlier, I love using my “Motivation” playlist of music.
A lot of people exercise for that boost of energy.
However you go about getting the motor running, being ready to tackle the day is a profound improvement on overall comfort.
The toughest part is finding something that really gets you going in a positive manner. It might take a bit of trial and error, but it’s worth finding your zone.
Don’t Try to Please Everyone
And lastly, and perhaps one of the most important, don’t try to make everyone happy. As I say to all of my clients, viewers, and fans, “You can’t please 100% of the people 100% of the time.”
Some clients are going to hate your work because they’re in a bad mood or perhaps they are happier just hating something. Don’t let it affect you as a writer. I know it’s difficult, but don’t internalize the problems of others.
I know when I had my first rejection in Textbroker, I was depressed for days. Then I realized that no one is perfect for every task. Nowadays, I just focusing on doing the best I can instead of being “perfect.”
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Is it OK to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone?
So, I talked a lot about keeping your writing comfort as high as possible. However, there are times when you might want to step out of the comfort zone. And this is so you can find what works better for yourself.
I started writing for Textbroker in the computers and networking categories. Then, I decided to try all of the others and found passions I didn’t know I had.
I didn’t know the value of a second monitor until I tried to fit one on my desk. Now, I can’t see writing content without it most of the time.
Before, I was usually incredibly shy when it comes to promoting myself to private clients. Today, I am confident enough to approach others at meetups or WordCamps while letting people know what I do.
Going beyond what you think you’re capable of is a great way to discover all kinds of things about yourself. Don’t be afraid to try something new in your writing career. You may just find a new passion.
What is Your Writing Comfort Level?
Being comfortable in your surroundings will help you focus and reach higher levels of success. Going from a basement bedroom in the dark to a well-lit office literally saved my life (a very long story).
Make sure you give yourself every advantage you can when it comes to your own writing comfort. Because you can bet that many competing writers are doing so.
What kind of comforts do you have in your office? Do you find a lack of sleep as disruptive as I do? Let me know in the comments down below!
For more information about freelance writing, blogging, WordPress, or anything else I cover, don’t forget to check out the WriterSanctuary YouTube channel.
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