 |
| 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
