The Healthy Artist: Simple Ways to Stay That Way

Over the years I have posted some articles to help my fellow artists improve the studio health and well being.

In this article Joyce Cherrier, a fitness guru, shares some easy, healthy lifestyle advice for the busy artist. Joyce is a specialist in sport’s conditioning and helping people create healthy lives.

Artists are known for working long, obsessive hours without taking the proper time for themselves to eat, drink and exercise. Now more than ever, it is important for us to take care of ourselves! In this article, Joyce shares some simple tips to help you become a healthy artist.

The Healthy Artist: Simple Ways to Stay That Way by Joyce Cherrie

I think every kind of work and hobby comes with its own set of health challenges. Artists are no different. Many hours are spent doing what you love. My personal philosophy has always been to find a way to do what you love forever. It’s fine to look great in your jeans, but it’s even better to make sure you’re healthy from the inside out.

When a doctor told me that after years of aerial tricks while windsurfing, I would likely suffer in the future with an arthritic spine, thanks Doc, instead of taking up scrap-booking I began to do yoga and found it helped me tremendously. I tried to do what I could to make sure I could be as active as I could despite what Dr. Doom said.
And artsy people are no different. (Except for maybe the aerial acrobatics part.) So what health issues should you address as an artist?

Along with fitting in daily exercise, focus on nutrition. Whenever you’re focused on a task, time can pass quickly; and before you realize it, you’ve skipped eating or drinking for long periods of time. That’s not healthy!

Easy Fix:

• Always fill your glass and water bottle before starting: Even better, keep a container that holds at least a half gallon of water which you can refill conveniently.
• Keep healthy snacks available: Keep snacks like nuts and seeds available. But don’t place the whole bag next to you to avoid mindless overeating. Raw veggies are also a great snack and provide fiber too. So important for digestion for people that sit for long periods of time.
• Keep your protein intake up and it will help you stay energized and alert, and by avoiding sugar you’ll save yourself from a work-halting sugar crash
• The Healthy Workspace

Like many people who spend much of their day in front of a computer, artists face the same sedentary challenges. In the British Journal of Sports Medicine studies have suggested that prolonged bouts of sitting time and lack of whole-body muscular movement are strongly associated with obesity, abnormal glucose metabolism, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and cancer, as well as total mortality independent of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity.
That’s bad news for those of us that sit, including artists. In the past, the thinking was if you are physically active other times of the day you make up for the sitting time, but now experts are saying that’s not the case.

Easy fix:

• Use a resistance ball: One of the best ways to get in movement throughout your day while sitting is sitting on a resistance ball. Constantly readjusting to keep yourself balanced on the ball, the muscles of the core, pelvis, hips, and legs are being engaged. Many people report they have reduced back pain too. At first you might find you can only use for a few minutes at a time, but over time try to lengthen the time you spend sitting on the ball. A resistance ball is a favorite to use in an exercise program too, so it’s a great purchase.

Set a timer: Time flies when you’re focused, and before you know it you’ve been sitting for 3 hours. Set a timer to make sure you get up and move around every 20 minutes or so. Get up, move around, and stand and do a reach-for-the-sky stretch. Make a point of scheduled breaks. They don’t have to be long. A great time to fill the water glass to make sure not to forget to hydrate!

Many artists like Lori stand when creating and that poses a different set of concerns. The lack of position choices causes the health problems. Muscles are continually at work to keep you upright, but standing motionless causes a lack of blood flow to the muscles being used. Lack of blood flow causes fatigue in the working muscles. It also can cause problems with vein inflammation. The result over time can be varicose veins. Joints in the feet, knees, hips, and spine become locked in a prolonged standing position and this can contribute to damage of tendons and ligaments

Easy fix:

• Change your workstation: Having options in your work space allows for changes in body position which will help with blood flow and give your joints a break. Use a small foot rest to use to shift your weight. If working on a particular part of your art that might cause you to have your arm in one position for a long period, try to use something to support your arm to help curb any fatiguing of your arm and neck.
• Keep a stool nearby: Have a stool that will help you stay in your favored working position but also allow you rest. Just a bit of support can help take a tremendous amount of stress off muscles and joints. Remember that it’s important to position yourself close to the working area and face your work as straight-on as possible to avoid bending and stooping.

Good health will allow you to keep doing what you love for many years to come. Some simple planning is all it takes to make sure you’re staying healthy while doing what you love!

*****

Joyce Cherrie surfed, skim-boarded, professionally windsurfed, was a personal trainer, managed a gym, and co-owned a health-food store. Now she is a mom, wife, bass-player and slightly obsessive health nut. With over 25 years in sports and fitness, Joyce knows what works!

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