by Alycia W. Morales     @AlyciaMorales

It’s down to the last 48 hours until the writers conference, and your stomach can’t decide if it’s hungry or will reject the food you feed it. You toss and turn all night. Your brain won’t shut down. You’ve got a bad case of the pre-conference jitters. Mixed with a heavy dose of excitement.

What’s a person to do?

You need to eat and sleep, or you’ll arrive at conference and crash. Note that jitters tend to reveal stress. However, you can easily take the jitters and turn them into excitement, which your body will handle much better. And that may help prevent a crash from happening. So, be excited about the upcoming conference and try these 10 things you can do with those pre-conference jitters:

1. Have a cup of hot tea. Add a little honey. Chamomile, Sleepytime, Sweet Dreams – these are all recommended as bedtime teas. For so He gives His beloved sleep… (See Psalm 127:1-2)
2. Take a walk. This is a great way to work out that feeling like you’re going to explode and you just can’t sit still. It also gives you time to clear your thoughts. Talk to God. Remember, Adam and Eve used to walk with Him in the quiet of the day. Be sure to listen to what He has to say.
3. Clean something. Your house. The car. The dog. When my nerves are short from being stressed or overwhelmed, cleaning is my go-to. I set my sites on a project and work out the stress while talking it out with God. Out loud. By the time 30 minutes is up, I have a clean kitchen, less stress, and – usually – some answers. Along with a sense of peace. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6
4. Write something. Even if it’s just what you’re feeling in that moment. Try a new type of writing, like poetry or flash fiction. It doesn’t have to be a long piece. Just put something on paper (or screen). You never know, it may turn into a devotion or article or guest blog post you could pitch to someone at the conference. My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1
5. Take a nap. Overload can be very tiring. Especially if you haven’t been sleeping at night. Listen to your body, and if it’s telling you it needs rest at 2:30 in the afternoon, then rest. You’ll be amazed how much more productive the rest of your day will be.10 Things to Do With Those Pre-Conference Jitters - @BRMCWC #amwriting Share on X
6. Visit with a friend. Enjoy a great conversation over a cup of coffee or sweet tea or lemon water. Or whatever you like to drink. God has a way of using our friends to tell us something He wants us to hear. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. Proverbs 18:4
7. Crank up the tunes. There’s a reason Saul called upon David to play music for him. It calmed his nerves when a distressing spirit came over him. Maybe you’re just stressed, not distressed. Music still calms the nerves. Or adds to the excitement, depending on which type of music you lean toward.
8. Breathe deep. It helps to slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. And when you’re focused on your breathing, your mind isn’t racing with the 10 things you still have to do in the next 24 hours. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6
9. Go for a drive. Take your phone or camera along and look for things that would make a good photo for a blog post or meme. Sometimes it’s just good to get out of the house. See something different than the four walls you can’t wait to escape when you head to the conference.
10. Take a break. You’ve been working so hard to prepare for the conference. Writing. Organizing. Double checking your packing list. Stressing over every little detail. You deserve a moment to relax and do something you enjoy. Color in that adult coloring book (such amazing stress relief!). Go to the shooting range and let off a few shots (or 50). Play a round of golf. Whatever it is, do something you enjoy. You’ll have plenty to do over the course of the conference!

What else can you think of doing with those pre-conference excitement jitters? Share with us in the comments below. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Alycia Morales experiences pre-conference jitters, and she’s been attending or teaching at conferences for over 7 years. She is a freelance editor and writer. Her credits include several devotions, articles in Thriving Family magazine and Splickety Love, and various pieces in compilation books. She is the president of her local writers group, Cross N’ Pens, and the conference assistant at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

When she isn’t busy writing and editing, she enjoys life with her husband and four children. She loves to take walks, go hiking, horseback riding (a luxury), reading and eating chocolate.