I think that most copywriters who do have "writing skills" and "wit" are often because they do let go from time to time... they do "battle their demons" in certain ways that's different for every person.

If you look at all the major artists, writers, "gurus" or even scientists and brilliant people in different industries, from yesteryear or present, they all have "distractions" that help to re-energize their mental batteries.

As long as they are safe... but then again, the level of risk may be the very thrill that can provide the rush required to achieve this. Take Corey Rudl, for example. Corey loved cars. He loved speed. And that didn't fair well for him.

Here's a sidenote:

One of the things I often dream about is to be a superhero. I love superheroes, and I used to be a comic book fanatic. Especially in my younger days, when I was agoraphobic and abused by my father. I used to visualize being tough and strong enough to... well... fight back.

Above all, I used to visualize being Superman (can't wait for the Superman Returns movie with Brendan Routh to come out! Woot!) and visualize flying over hills and buildings and in the sky...

... And I still do from time to time, even though I'm 38.

I also have a deep fear of heights (I fell from a tall tree when I was a kid, which contributed to the beginnings of my arthritis in my lower back), so dreaming of flying and not falling was, well, a way to conquer my fears.

I remember waking up in the morning feeling totally refreshed. It's an amazing feeling, really.