There is no right way to do a writing sprint. You just have to find what works for you and do it over and over again.

I have tried lots of things to keep my active body and my creative mind in sync with one another. The following is what works for me currently.

Writing Sprint with Active Rest

20 minutes on – 10 minutes off

Here’s how it works: I ready my timer or ask Alexa to start a timer for 20 minutes. For that 20 minutes I write, write, and write some more.

When that 20 minute timer goes off, I immediately set a timer for 10 minutes. During that 10 minutes, I do something active.

Sometimes, it is just washing the dishes. Other times, it is a brief walk with my dog. I also have a seven minute workout app that I use during breaks from time to time. Most days, I pick three exercises and preform them for a minute each with a 30 second break between.

The goal isn’t necessary to take up every single second of the 10 minute break with an activity. Sometimes, you need that 10 minutes for a bathroom break, snack break or to return a call.

There are lots of ways to use that 10 minutes, but I always use it for something active (unless bathroom).

Catching up on The Daily Show, YouTube videos, or browsing social media of any kind is not an option when I am “clocked in”.

In many cases, adding active rest to your writing sprints can reduce repetitive stress pains like elbow pains, eye strain, wrist tension, and numb legs.

(Of course, it goes without saying that if you experience any pain while writing, go to the doctor already! Geez!)