People who choose performing arts for their career are passionate about it and absolutely love it. However, this job can (like any other) take its toll. That’s why actors who want to contribute to society and have a lasting successful career in the field need to keep themselves healthy and prioritize their own well-being (both physical and mental). Read this article if you want to find out how to stay fit whilst being an actor.
Change one thing at a time
You can’t overhaul your whole life all at once. If you want to have control over your life and adopt some lasting habit changes, keep in mind that a process like that requires time and a systematic approach. So, change one thing at a time. When you slowly introduce healthier habits into your life, you have a better chance of staying dedicated to them.
Have a balanced diet
If you want to stay fit whilst being an actor, you should know that quality balanced nutrition plays a significant role in the process. What you eat will affect how you look, feel, and perform. Therefore, your meal plan should consist of a wide variety of non-processed foods. So, always opt for:
- Different sources of protein
- Locally grown fruits
- Seasonal vegetables
- Healthy fats, such as nuts.
If you’re an actor who’s always on the go, there’s always the possibility of finding some healthy meals or taking a previously prepared lunch box with you. No matter where you live or work, there are certainly some healthy food options nearby where you can pick up a quick meal if you’re in a hurry.
Try to eat regularly and have 3 meals a day with some healthy snacks in between. Listen to your body, and you’ll avoid over or under-eating. Eating healthy needs some planning, but as a result, you’ll feel more energized.
Stay hydrated
Another thing just important as a balanced diet is your daily water intake. Don’t forget to hydrate yourself properly. Drink plenty of water throughout the day – always keep your water bottle nearby. It will help you think better and focus more on each task. Furthermore, good hydration improves the look of your skin, hair, and overall appearance.
Get enough sleep
A full night’s sleep is a luxury if you’re busy. Many actors balance consistent long rehearsals, late-night jobs, early morning auditions along with acting workshops, but their body suffers. Instead, you should make quality sleep your priority since it’s an integral part of being fit. Whenever possible, make changes to your schedule to get more sleep and form consistent sleep habits. Preferably, you should go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. Avoid spending time on your phone when you go to bed. Give your body and mind some time to unwind and limit your daily caffeine intake. If your schedule and sleep cycle are out of sync, you’ll only get more tired, and you may even suffer from burnout.
Exercises are crucial for staying fit and avoiding anxiety
When you’re busy and anxious about your auditions, it’s very challenging to find time and motivation for exercise. However, some training is exactly what you need to feel better. If you opt to maintain an active lifestyle, anxiety is something you can overcome. Exercises are beneficial in so many ways as they release endorphins, which help relieve stress, sleep better, and generally feel much, much better.
Which exercises are beneficial to actors?
Cardio activities are usually monotonous because they require a lot of repetitive, high-impact motions. So, you can get stuck in a routine easily. On the other hand, resistance training offers great stimulus if your goal is staying fit and even losing some excess weight. Your training program should include at least two days a week of some form of resistance training. For example, bodyweight exercises will challenge your muscles in the right way.
If you seek more moderate exercises but still want to stay fit whilst being an actor, yoga is a great choice. It can keep you limber for whatever your role may require. Dance is also a good choice since it provides better flexibility. Hiking or any other outdoor activity may also prove beneficial by increasing your sense of self-worth and improving your mood. Being in nature in fresh air while being active is an absolute winner when it comes to staying healthy and happy at the same time.
Be realistic
Your body needs time to adapt to exercises, and your muscles need time to recover. For most people, three to five hours per week is enough time for training and staying in the best shape. Do not overexert yourself, and instead, make a realistic plan that you can follow and stick to it.
Give yourself a break
No matter how much you love your job, you also need to have ways to relax and unwind. So, find something exciting, completely unrelated to your work as a performer, and do it once a week at least. That can be anything: painting, reading, cooking, gardening, seeing friends and family, learning something new, etc. Just as your body needs a break, your brain also begs for it. Focusing on something different than usual is always good for your overall well-being.
The bottom line
If you wish to stay fit whilst being an actor, you should follow these tips as much as you can, as often as you can. Even though some are easier and some are harder to maintain on a day-to-day basis, they’re all of great importance. As with all new habits, they may be hard to learn and maintain initially, but as time goes by, you’ll get used to new routines, and your body and mind will be very grateful. Being healthy and fit not only feels great, but it can also help you in your career and do you good in all aspects of life.
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