A Cautionary Tale
Things had been going well. My first audition of the year resulted in a booking. I was auditioning regularly and had a high callback ratio. I was working a day job that I actually enjoyed, working with a group of creative people on public speaking presentations centering on historical events--and I love history. Life was good.
Things had been going well. My first audition of the year resulted in a booking. I was auditioning regularly and had a high callback ratio. I was working a day job that I actually enjoyed, working with a group of creative people on public speaking presentations centering on historical events--and I love history. Life was good.
On Monday evening, my husband and I had
a friend over for dinner. It
was pleasant evening that ended with my husband and I watching a favorite
TV show. Then we went to bed.
My husband fell asleep quickly.
But I'd been having more and more difficulty falling asleep lately; my
mind was constantly racing with random thoughts. On
this night I also found myself unable to relax. I felt weird. I
was out of breath like I'd just run a race. My heart was pounding and felt like
it was about to burst through my chest. I had a horrible headache
which caused dizziness.
Something was wrong. Not wanting to
wake my husband, I slipped out of bed, went online. According to WebMD I was
exhibiting symptoms of a stroke...the online info said to call 911. I didn't.
Instead, at 2:10AM I woke my husband who took me to a nearby emergency
room where I was given a thorough exam that included several neurological tests.
No. I was not having a stroke. In
fact I was embarrassed with the diagnosis of sleep deprivation and
anxiety.
The ER physician wanted to know what
was happening in my life. I replied that things were good. He asked me to think
back over the last few months to find a possible cause of stress. The month
before we had some unexpected repairs done in our home which
disrupted our home life and made it necessary to change our routines. That was
defiantly a source of stress, but that was a month ago. He informed me that stress
never leaves the body. When he asked me about my everyday routine, it was apparent I was burning the candle at both ends; doing far too much on any given day and only getting four to five hours of sleep a night. He prescribed, relaxation, rest, sleep (he wanted me to take
a sleeping aid for a few nights), and told to follow up with my
GP. Finally, he gave me a work release for the next day and instructed me
to call in sick to work.
I didn't listen. After just a few hours of unrestful sleep, I resumed my regular routine. I was at a commercial callback at 10AM before going
to my day job where I remained until 5:30PM. Instead of going home, I kept an
appointment with my hairstylist before returning home after 8PM. I went to bed
early, but only managed to sleep for three or four hours. I got up early the next
morning and began all over again. I was not going to let a little lost sleep and stress get in my way.
Is it any wonder that I ended
up with the same symptoms--only worse a few days later? This time I listened to
my body--and made myself and my health the priority. The End
My story is not unusual among
performing and creative artists. Many times we find ourselves balancing our
craft with the everyday demands of life (family, day jobs, household, etc.)
Sometimes we see ourselves as super beings and strive to do everything...and to
do everything well.
Many creative professionals are perfectionists and
possess vey strong work ethics. (An old boss at a former day job told me he
hired actors whenever possible because of their strong work ethics and
attention to details.) We want to do well in all aspects of our lives,
especially in our artistic efforts. So is it any surprise that some of us are
taking on more than we can handle and find ourselves trying to perform an
impossible balancing act?
-An
LA actor friend had just sent her husband, also a working actor, off
to New England where he would be doing a play for two months. She was
getting their seven year old daughter to and from school everyday and arranging
for a sitter when necessary, going on auditions and subsequent bookings,
working a part-time day job, and running their household. One day, while shopping
for ingredients to make homemade cupcakes for a next
day school event, she was rushed from an area grocery store via ambulance
due to chest pains. While she was sure she was having a heart attack, she was
diagnosed with anxiety.
-A
dancer on a cruise ship performed her two nightly shows while ill, though she
managed to conceal her condition from the cast and crew. She performed the
next night as well, only this time she collapsed backstage after the second
show. She had the flu with a fever of 102 degrees.
-One
Saturday, an LA actor woke up with a bad stomach ache, but went to work the day
job-which was somewhat physical. No amount of Pepto-Bismol would provide
relief. By the end of the day the actor decided not to wait to contact their
own doctor on Monday morning, and went to an urgent care facility. Less than two hours later,
a (non-emergency) appendectomy was performed. They were home the next
day. Had this person waited the appendix could have ruptured meaning a
more invasive surgery and a long hospital stay and recovery.
Thankfully these scenarios as well
as my own had happy endings. But there also stories of those who have
ignored messages from their bodies, and whose stories don't end happily..
A woman who at age 26 never had a Pap Smear, was required to get one during her physical before she began working as a dancer at a large resort. The test revealed she was in the early stages of cervical cancer. She now admits that she'd just never taken the time to see a doctor despite a few warning signs.
Another performer found a lump in her breast which was advanced breast cancer. While over 40, she'd never had a mammogram.
Lastly, I know of one incredibly gifted actor who let a minor and treatable infection go untreated. He continued his usual fast-paced routine that included playing basketball. The infection eventually reached his heart and killed him. This man was in his thirties, in good shape, and by all outward appearances, healthy. Had this man seen a doctor and gotten on a cycle of antibiotics and possibly taken it easy for a few days, he'd still be with us.
A woman who at age 26 never had a Pap Smear, was required to get one during her physical before she began working as a dancer at a large resort. The test revealed she was in the early stages of cervical cancer. She now admits that she'd just never taken the time to see a doctor despite a few warning signs.
Another performer found a lump in her breast which was advanced breast cancer. While over 40, she'd never had a mammogram.
Lastly, I know of one incredibly gifted actor who let a minor and treatable infection go untreated. He continued his usual fast-paced routine that included playing basketball. The infection eventually reached his heart and killed him. This man was in his thirties, in good shape, and by all outward appearances, healthy. Had this man seen a doctor and gotten on a cycle of antibiotics and possibly taken it easy for a few days, he'd still be with us.
When I had my own health scare
(more than ten years ago now), I made some simple changes in my life that have
helped keep me healthy. I'm not talking weight loss, just maintaining
my health.
While I'm not a doctor,(though I've played
one on TV), I'd like to share a few common sense things to keep in mind. Most
are common sense. So please consider these few friendly reminders.
Eat Sensibly/Eat Healthy. The better you eat the better you feel, and the better your
body will function. After my scare, I began to watch my salt and processed
sugar intake, which meant I was reading food labels. I basically
eliminated most processed and fast food. Anything high in fat was cut to a
minimum. I stopped eating red meat and pork. I rarely drink soda. I was
never big on snacks, but when I do try to stick to fresh fruits and
veggies, yogurt. I still enjoy an order of fries or a favorite
desert on occasion. The key is everything (including alcohol and
caffeine) in moderation. Know your BMI. Use this number a guideline to maintain a healthy weight.
Hydrate. The old adage of 8 glasses a day is no longer true. Instead, think about how much you weigh and divide that number in half. That's how many ounces of water you should drink per day. For instance, a person who is 200 pounds, should drink 100 oz. of water per day to be adequately hydrated. Consider making water your default beverage.
Have a physical every year. See your dentist twice a year. Get an annual flu
shot. Ladies, see your gynecologist. Make sure you schedule
appointments for the tests and screenings that are recommended
(mammograms, colonoscopies). While some test are unpleasant and sometimes
embarrassing, they are potentially lifesaving. (many states have programs for
standard screenings if you are uninsured.) Here's a list of suggested screenings, though always consult with your own physician.Hydrate. The old adage of 8 glasses a day is no longer true. Instead, think about how much you weigh and divide that number in half. That's how many ounces of water you should drink per day. For instance, a person who is 200 pounds, should drink 100 oz. of water per day to be adequately hydrated. Consider making water your default beverage.
Exercise. Make exercise a part of your life and choose
something you enjoy that you won't dread doing. A good walk can help to
clear your head, while stretching (yoga & Pilates) help with flexibility,
circulation and sleep. I love fitness DVD's that allow me to exercise without
leaving home.
Don't Smoke. Or, stop smoking.
Don't Smoke. Or, stop smoking.
Get enough sleep. The number of hours will differ for each person, though most of us need
anywhere from six to eight hours a night. Remember sleep allows your body to
recharge.
Listen to your body & do what it
says. You know yourself and your body
better than anyone. You
know when you can treat yourself or when you need to seek medical attention. Waiting too long can sometimes lead to complications and a hospital stay for conditions that could have otherwise been treated easily.
know when you can treat yourself or when you need to seek medical attention. Waiting too long can sometimes lead to complications and a hospital stay for conditions that could have otherwise been treated easily.
It's okay to stop (or at least slow down). This
is not a sign of weakness. In fact I believe stopping
when needed is a show of strength and self- respect. Remember, if you don't stop, your body will stop you. (Years ago as I was getting ready to move to LA, I scheduled myself to work 18 hours a day for two weeks solid at three different jobs. Ten days in, I woke up one morning unable to move. Exhaustion won. I dropped one job for the remaining few days.)
when needed is a show of strength and self- respect. Remember, if you don't stop, your body will stop you. (Years ago as I was getting ready to move to LA, I scheduled myself to work 18 hours a day for two weeks solid at three different jobs. Ten days in, I woke up one morning unable to move. Exhaustion won. I dropped one job for the remaining few days.)
Your body is your most
important instrument and an incredible machine which must be maintained to
keep you going physically and mentally. Your body is your dwelling that allows
you to exist. This is where you think and create. Your body transports you from
one place to another.
Without your health, you can't give 100% to yourself, your craft or to those around you.
While good health is important to everyone no matter their profession, it is especially important to artists; our bodies are the vessels which allow us to practice our crafts.
Without your health, you can't give 100% to yourself, your craft or to those around you.
While good health is important to everyone no matter their profession, it is especially important to artists; our bodies are the vessels which allow us to practice our crafts.
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