Dancers tend to lead an extremely busy life with their choc-a-bloc schedule full of auditions, practices, rehearsals, classes, shows, costume fitting and many other errands. And amidst so many activities, if a dancer happens to fall sick, it’s almost as if life comes to a standstill. Prevention is better than cure is an important adage that dancers must follow. You have to take care of your health so that you don’t fall sick. Missing a class or a practice means more work and longer hours when we get back to the dance floor.

To stay healthy it is important you pay attention to what you eat and consume. The secret of natural healing revolves around your body’s immune system, which is to combat any bacteria or viruses that attack you. I would like to share some secrets with you that could help you take charge of your immune system.
Have a diet of six glasses of fruits or vegetable smoothies daily. Use the whole fruit or vegetable since it is loaded with photo-nutrients and most of the fruit seeds contain small amount of cyanide, which can kill bacteria and viruses without the harmful side effects. It also provides the body with fibre for a good bowel movement. Include fruits like green or red apples, grapes, berries, pineapple, kiwi, lime, papaya, banana and vegetables like celery, spinach and carrots.
Dancers have to practise in the sun or in open spaces many a time, so spending long hours in the sun without using sunscreen is not recommended. But doctors also suggest that standing in morning sunlight for at least 30 minutes daily will do you good. Sunlight provides vitamin D, which is essential to strengthen your immune system. Vitamin D helps prevent cold, osteoporosis and even certain types of cancer. So do go and practise your technical rehearsals in the sun for a while.
Make sure about your intake of Vitamin A — it helps maintain sound bones and teeth and also builds up resistance against the harsh winter. Try and include fish oils, eggs, cheese, alfalfa leaves, spinach and broccoli. Add them to your daily diet and see yourself heal naturally.
No matter how lazy you get as a dancer due to rehearsals and classes, take time out to exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday. This will restore and maintain your health. A 30-minute brisk walk daily is highly recommended if you are in mood to relax.
When you shower, stand for three minutes under hot water followed by 30 seconds of cold water. Repeat this cycle two or more times. Taking a hot and cold shower will felicitate a rush of blood and energy to your tired body after rehearsals and will boost your immune system and improve blood circulation and metabolism.
Dancers travel a lot and eat at different places. So it becomes important to exercise your bowel movements regularly. Removing toxins from your body is important. The amount of water you drink should be according to your lifestyle and rehearsal schedule. If you are in an air-conditioned environment then 8-10 glasses daily are enough. But if you are traveling a lot then increase your water intake to 10-12 glasses. Make it a habit to keep sipping water whenever you remember, instead of drinking lot of it at one time. This slow sipping will give your body cells time to absorb the water well.
Eat in tandem with your biological clock, pay attention to the signals. Your body knows when it is time to eat, sleep and wake up. Go along with it because if you constantly ignore such signals, you will put your body at risk by stressing it to lose its natural balance. This ultimately leads to an accumulation of toxins and wastes, weakening your immune system leaving your body vulnerable to attacks of bacteria and viruses. Beat is to follow a regular pattern of life and stick to it as far as possible.
Healing your body naturally is the best way to keep fit and healthy. So to be naturally healthy just remember to make a healthy living chart for yourself and like your rehearsals and practices, follow it religiously.