Actors have tedious schedules that require an ample amount of physical and mental strength to keep up with. If you have a weak body, you most likely won’t be getting the jobs you want as production has no time to attend to those kinds of issues, especially when working with a time-constricted schedule.
So it is important to remember that maintaining good health should be a top priority for every rookie or professional actor. Luckily, being in good health does not mean spending money on expensive treatments or vitamins. Most of the time, it simply takes discipline and sticking to living healthy as opposed to pushing your body toward unnecessary vices.
Here are essential healthy habits that every actor should practice.
1. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Indulging into junk food can be tempting, especially when your body is stressed. This isn’t an issue if you are already maintaining a balanced diet as you go through your day-to-day activities. But if you do it on a regular basis, do bear in mind that junk foods generally harbor health issues when taken in excess. This includes cardiovascular diseases, increased sodium and fat level in the body, as well as diabetes. As an actor, you should know that your body should remain healthy especially since this is an industry that requires you to be on your feet all the time.
Most established actors already have a licensed nutritionist, but they can be expensive. You can maintain a healthy diet on your own by doing research or asking your doctor. Stay energized the healthy way by alternating caffeinated drinks with foods rich in chia seeds and even melon. Sets may come with catered or packed food, but don’t let that be an excuse to stop you from bringing your own healthy snacks to munch on.
2. Regular Exercise
Exercise should follow a healthy diet. This allows your body to relieve itself of stress and unwanted toxins. The more you sweat, the more natural your glow becomes. On the plus side, it can also boost your confidence, because who wouldn’t want to feel good about themselves after a long day in the gym?
When a person exercises, it also increases their stamina so this allows your body to withstand long hours of taping and re-shooting scenes without losing your drive. People who exercise are also known to have happier dispositions as oppose to those who don’t. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a personal trainer, sticking to a certain routine on a plotted schedule will do.
3. Sleep
It is understandable that with the demands on set, an actor can have only little shut eye. This should be enough for one to know how crucial it is to be able to sleep on the average amount of time required for every human being. Yes, sleep should never (and we mean never) be taken for granted. This is why time management is also very essential in the industry, as an actor should allow his or her body to take a break. No amount of coffee or energy drink is enough to replace a good-night’s sleep, so for every chance you get, make sure to grab it.
At average, an eight-hour sleep is needed to maintain good health. So if you want to look great on your close-up the next day, make sure to be consistent with your body’s resting time.
4. Never Take Your Voice for Granted
An actor’s voice is used every day as his or her career allows it. This also applies for stage comedians, performers and singers. It allows you to deliver your lines and talk in interviews or even go to auditions and tell the casting director about yourself. These things may all be simple, but oftentimes, the importance of a voice is overlooked. Know that aside from your physical image, an actor banks on the way he delivers his lines, so take good care of your voice.
Practice voice exercises and avoid shouting or yelling when unnecessary. Make sure you drink lukewarm water on set and avoid drinking too much sugar-infused beverages as this may irritate your voice.
5. Take Some Time Off
This doesn’t mean your nightly rest but “time off” means an actual vacation after working hard. After all, anybody who has been disciplined enough to stick to their schedule and routines deserves a time off away from the hustle and bustle of the acting industry. You can opt for getting a “staycation” while curling on your favorite book or planning a trip out of the city. Wherever you feel comfortable at most should work best for you.
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