Just listened to this chapter on writing warm-ups at The Academic Imperfectionist. It all makes a lot of sense. In my case, I’ve adapted a suggestion by Eric Hayot in The Elements of Academic Style:
A writing habit will benefit from being located inside a series of actions and spaces, both physical and temporal, that function as its enabling context. Together these can create a pattern of physical and mental activity that enables you to get work done. For instance, I only write in my office. I begin serious writing days by establishing a sensory space governed by white “noise”: I put on headphones (always listening to something I know well, usually Radiohead, seven or eight albums in a row on repeat) (…)
I also start by putting on headphones but listen to the same song on repeat. It helps me focus and settle into writing mode.