Monday, December 5, 2011

Acting is a Tough Business


Image created by Artotems Co.

“Acting is a tough business, and you need to be in good shape mentally and physically.”

Juliette Binoche - French actress, artist and dancer.

Acting is a tough business as Juliette says. As actors our hours can be long and our efforts can be strenuous. Like many artists  in the act of our creative efforts we often don’t notice how we are treating ourselves and our bodies. We focus on practically everything but that.

We, like others often take our health for granted. It’s just there and then sometimes it’s suddenly gone. This attitude is common and fraught with peril for our futures as actors.

Let’s look at some basics of good physical health in this post. As you go through the list think about where you are with each of these basic categories.  What are you doing right? What’s missing? What can you improve on?

Some of the information we are using today comes from FamilyDoctor.org. Thanks!

Do my habits really affect my health?
Yes, very much so. All of the major causes of death (such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease and injury) can be prevented in part by making healthy lifestyle choices.

Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Smoking and using tobacco are very dangerous habits. Smoking causes 440,000 deaths in the United States every year. More preventable illnesses (such as emphysema, mouth, throat and lung cancer, and heart disease) are caused by tobacco use than by anything else. The sooner you quit, the better.

Limit how much alcohol you drink.
This means no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. One drink is equal to 1 can of beer (12 ounces), a 4-ounce glass of wine or a jigger (1 ounce) of liquor.
Too much alcohol can damage the liver and contribute to some cancers, such as throat and liver cancer. Alcohol also contributes to deaths from car wrecks, murders and suicides.

Eat healthy.
A healthy diet has many health benefits. Heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, diabetes and damage to your arteries can be linked to what you eat. By making healthier food choices, you can also lower your cholesterol and lose weight.

Lose weight if you're overweight.
Many Americans are overweight. Carrying too much weight increases your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, gallbladder disease and arthritis in the weight-bearing joints (such as the spine, hips or knees). A high-fiber, low-fat diet and regular exercise can help you lose weight and keep it off.

Exercise.
Exercise can help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. It can also help prevent colon cancer, stroke and back injury. You'll feel better and keep your weight under control if you exercise regularly. Try to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week, but remember that any amount of exercise is better than none.

Don't forget... We offer our Healthy Actor Meetup and the TASA Actors Support Group

The next meeting is: 

December 11th, 2011 - 4 PM to 6PM

TASA Studio 
2924 Knight Street Building 4 Suite # 411
Shreveport,  LA  71105