Copywriting Q&A: The Self-Care Habit Copywriters Just Can’t Skip

Many new copywriters have questions about which computers are best and which services are best for building their website and things like that. And those are important questions, but they’re putting the cart in front of the horse a bit. There’s one crucial habit that most copywriters skip, and it can be deeply detrimental to their work. Read on…

Today’s question is from Regan T., who asks, “I’m trying to take a more holistic approach to my life and my career. Are there any techniques or tips you recommend for copywriters?”

I’m sure things like meditation and yoga and getting regular massages would benefit copywriters. (They seem to benefit just about everyone.)

But there’s one self-care tactic that’s crucial for copywriters—and it’s also one that copywriters actively choose to skip.

What is it?

Sleep.

Now, wait—before you go, “BORING! I know I should be sleeping,” let me ask you a question: When’s the last time you slept without waking up to an alarm? (Or a child, or a pet?)

So, you know you should be sleeping…but you’re probably not. And the thing is, even sleeping just a little bit less than you should, can drastically affect your creative performance.

And, just as a reminder, for a copywriter, your creative performance is your bread and butter.

In Arianna Huffington’s book The Sleep Revolution, she reports that two weeks of getting six hours of sleep is equivalent to the performance incapacity of someone who has gone 24 hours without sleep.

Sleep is essential to creativity. You simply cannot create effective, insightful, and creative copy without sleep. So how well do you think you’d write copy if you were facing the same performance incapacity as if you’ve gone without 24 hours of sleep?

I think you might be seeing my point now.

Yes, your portfolio is important. And your contacts are important. And your experience is important.

But your mind—and your ability to use it—is the most important. And that’s why taking care of your mind (and your ability to use it) has to be of the utmost importance.

Sleep needs to be a priority: not just because you feel better, but because you function better. You write copy better.

Sleep isn’t an extra for a successful career. It’s an essential.

Your turn! How are you going to make sleep more of a priority? Let us know in the comments below!