Life can be overwhelming, especially in the competitive modeling industry. It can feel like a conveyor belt of casting calls and, when things aren’t going so well, the knocks take their toll on your confidence and your mental health.

Why Does It Matter?

When you are hired as a model it is because of your look. Headshots need to be representative and show you as you are, so if yours no longer look like you, it is time to have a fresh bunch taken. It is expected that you will be able to work to fulfil the brief and you need to be in good physical and emotional shape to pull of your best work. If you are tired, it can be hard to harness the energy needed for that perfect shot. If you’re bloated, you probably won’t feel on top of your game. In modeling, you are the product, so make sure you give yourself the best possible chance by doing what you can to stay fit and well.

How Mental Health Affects Your Work

As mentioned above, modeling is a tough business, and you need to be resilient to succeed. The long hours and competitive nature of modeling can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression or exhaustion/burnout. Work may start to feel like a chore and things that previously brought you joy no longer give you a rush of feel-good serotonin. If you feel anxious or depressed, what can you do? Is taking time out an option? Whether that’s a long soak in the bath, a vacation or diversifying your career, sometimes a change is all you need to help you see more clearly. Meditation and mindfulness techniques are invaluable for re-energizing and finding your center, but if you are finding things difficult for an extended period, seek advice from a medical professional.

A Necessity, Not a Luxury

When you are busy it can be hard to find the time to take care of yourself but looking after your physical wellbeing is vital if you are going to remain at your peak. After a long day of work, the last thing you feel like doing is heading to the gym or cooking a balanced meal and it can be tempting to put on your most comfortable clothes and crash on the sofa with a takeout meal. Organization is key to ensuring you make time to exercise and eat well, so plan your week and prioritize. 

Schedule in a workout and splash out on some new women’s workout clothes so it feels like a treat. Batch cook simple meals, so you have healthy options ready to heat up on the days you don’t feel like cooking from scratch – you’ll feel so much better for eating a nutritious meal.  Time to rest is important too, so aim for a reasonable bedtime and eight hours sleep. Remember, looking after yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.

When you feel your best, your shots will be successful so invest in yourself and shine!