Four Health Tips for Aspiring Actors

Self-care is important for everyone and even more so for actors who need to prioritise taking care of their instrument: their body and mind. Lifestyle choices, hygiene and nutrition all play an important part in good health for actors. Aspiring actors should take extra care of themselves to be able to press forward in what can be a cut-throat industry. Actors often work in stressful situations, working long and strange hours and, for this reason, you must be prepared mentally, physically and financially. Taking care of your mind, body and spirit as an actor is essential to provide you with the tools you need to succeed.

Avoid Stress

Stress is known to elevate the level of cortisol in the body which can result in disorders such as high blood pressure and heart problems and can also aggravate the symptoms of diabetes. Actors need to prioritise what is important to them to keep stress levels down. Long rehearsals, late nights, and sometimes juggling day and night-time jobs is exhausting and stressful, but prioritising your well-being will help you to protect and maintain your instrument: yourself.

Eating Healthy and Staying Hydrated

A healthy, balanced, nutritious diet is important, especially in times of stress. Being prepared and packing a healthy lunch rather than buying fast food is one way to ensure you stay healthy. Listen to your body and do not over or under-eat. Take time to eat even in your busiest situations. Always have a water bottle on hand. This improves your skin, hair and overall appearance and helps the body to process food efficiently. Avoid coffee, alcohol, energy drinks and tobacco. These addictive substances provide short-term quick fixes which can be detrimental to your health and result in insomnia, irritability and anxiety.

Relax and Recharge

Sleep is one of the first things to be sacrificed when you have a busy schedule. You need to prioritise sleep no matter what as, not only does it benefit your immune system, but it also makes you feel better, look better, think, learn, remember and focus better too. In this way, you will more easily take direction, react, learn lines and pick up skills faster. Try to incorporate good habits at bedtime. Switch off all devices early, wash your face, brush your teeth, and take twenty minutes to unwind and relax.

Stay connected to family and friends as this is important for your well-being. Laugh as much as you can. This will help you to decrease stress hormones in your body, boost your immune system and improve your blood flow, resulting in improved overall health.

Find something fun, completely unrelated to work to do at least once a week. Learn a new skill – try painting, baking, volunteer, or sports.

Keep Active

Exercise releases endorphins, relieves stress and helps you to sleep better. Try to lead an active lifestyle even when your schedule is hectic. Thirty minutes a day at least three times a week is ideal. This can involve a full-body workout or even just a daily walk in nature. Yoga is a good option as it also assists in breath training.

Train yourself to see the positives. Use all opportunities to learn from past mistakes and always keep looking and moving forward. That next audition may just be your big shot. Grab it.