Your Body Tips
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Mind-Control Your Cravings
Appetite isn’t just about what’s in your stomach—it also has to do with what’s on your mind. A study at the University of Oxford found that amnesiacs who couldn’t remember their last meal ate again 15 minutes later, while healthy volunteers who had eaten the same amount felt too full. Another experiment showed that people were less likely to overindulge when they actively recalled the last meal they had. So before you raid the refrigerator after rehearsal, take a few seconds to think about what you ate earlier in the day. It could help you keep portion sizes in check.
Prevent Body Acne
Long, sweaty rehearsals can take a toll on your skin—especially when you’re wearing tight dancewear that clogs the pores on your back and thighs. New York dermatologist Dr. Jeremy Fenton recommends showering as soon as you can after you’re done dancing, using an anti-acne body wash containing salicylic acid (which helps get rid of dead skin cells and decreases redness and swelling). You can also try a wash with benzoyl peroxide (which reduces acne-causing bacteria and dries the skin) and leave it on for a few minutes to let the medication sink in. Even better, look for new micronized forms of benzoyl peroxide from brands like Curoxyl, La Roche-Posay and Murad—the smaller particles can penetrate even deeper into the skin.
Got a performance tomorrow? You probably want to avoid drinking tonight. The delayed effects of dehydration from alcohol can last 24 hours, and studies have shown this “hangover” response can decrease your aerobic capacity by about 11.4 percent. To make it through Act II feeling strong, save the party for closing night.
Confidence=Creativity
People who feel a small sense of entitlement are more creative, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. Researchers believe we are more likely to try something new when we place a higher value on being different from others.
Got D?
Almond milk may be all the rage, but if you avoid traditional dairy sources, you might be lacking in vitamin D—and jeopardizing your body’s ability to absorb calcium. A recent study found that children who didn’t drink cow’s milk were almost three times as likely to have low vitamin D levels. (Although almond milk can be fortified with vitamin D, it isn’t a natural source.) Previous studies have shown that dancers are at a higher than average risk for vitamin D deficiency, so if you’re lactose intolerant, be sure to spend 20 to 25 minutes in the sun (without sunscreen) each day, or add more fatty fish like salmon or trout to your diet.
