Cammers are entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs are very busy people. Have you ever felt like you are on stage performing a one-person show — while also being the ticket taker, sound engineer, lighting director, stylist, public relations manager and bouncer? Between planning and performing creative broadcasts for your fans, you have a million things to think about, so it’s easy to end up feeling lost in a sea of tasks and obligations. During a hectic day, it can be a struggle to find even a few moments to take just for yourself.
Additionally, a cammer’s time truly is money. Stepping away for a moment or taking a break between shows means potentially missing out on tips or new fans joining your room, so it is understandable that you may be reluctant to claim time for yourself amidst hustling and earning revenue. Unfortunately, hustle culture has drilled into our heads the idea that if we stop working for even a moment, we are falling behind. As a result, we end up putting our own needs last and neglecting to make any time for ourselves. But the idea of #NoSleep that has been propagated by memes about being a true rise-and-grind type is silly and dangerous. It has made the risk of anxiety, breakdowns and negative physical responses to being overworked higher than ever.
In short, everybody needs a break once in a while! Even you.
In short, everybody needs a break once in a while! Even you.
Of course, not everyone can put aside an hour or more in their day for self-care, especially if you are trying to fit it in between cam shows. So I’ve compiled a list of quick yet very effective ways to treat yourself to a meaningful and nourishing break, each of which requires only 10 minutes or less of your time.
1: MAKE A HOT, SOOTHING DRINK
Enjoying tea or coffee time is a quick and accessible way to steal a moment for yourself and be calm and still between your shows. Perhaps you need caffeine to inject a bit of energy into a long day or long stretch of performance, or maybe you simply need a soothing hot beverage like a tea or a hot chocolate to calm your mind and soul and help you reset for your next round of performance.
2: GET OUT INTO NATURE
There is an enormous amount of science demonstrating that simply being out in nature with our feet on the ground, breathing crisp, fresh air, has an incredible impact on our psyche. Even getting outdoors for just a few minutes can help you recharge, come back to life and get back on camera with the sass and high energy needed to put on an engaging show that your fans will want to tip you for.
3: READ SOMETHING … ANYTHING!
Getting lost in a few pages of a book, or reading an interesting or empowering article, is an effective way of taking your mind off of your tasks at hand and engaging a different part of your brain. It doesn’t have to take an hour; it can simply be a brief reading session. Connecting mindfully with someone else’s words can reinvigorate your mind and your mood, which will ultimately serve you when you return to work.
4: WRITE
Much like reading, a quick journaling session or some other form of short yet thoughtful writing will absolutely take your mind on a journey far away from your computer and webcam, even if just for 10 minutes. Make a list, write a poem or enter your thoughts and feelings into your journal for a quick release and an effective mental break between cam shows.
5: REACH OUT TO A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE
Perhaps you’re having a tough day or your show isn’t going like you’d hoped, and you’re finding yourself discouraged and unmotivated on camera. Now is the perfect time to step away for a few minutes and check in with someone who knows you and can remind you that you are amazing. Calling a loved one is a powerful and valuable method of self-care, enabling us to share our stress and hear a trusted voice telling us it’s going to be okay. Even if you only have a few moments, you can send a quick text or DM or even initiate a phone call.
6: LISTEN TO A FEW FAVORITE SONGS
Why not create a quick, 10-minute playlist of a few of your favorite songs that you can quickly click on between your broadcasts, and use to zone out and mentally escape for a brief period of time? This may sound simple, but music is powerful and can change your mood and energy with a few simple beats or notes, especially if you get up and dance it out!
7: QUICKIE MEDITATION & SELF-CENTERING
Since anxiety is worrying about the future and depression is angst over the past, the ultimate purpose of mindfulness is to center ourselves and be in the present. This is the ultimate calming technique. Ten minutes may not seem like much, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how bringing yourself fully into the present moment, mind, body and soul, can refresh and reset you amidst even the busiest and most demanding of days. Here are some ways to quickly re-center yourself between broadcasts:
- Sensory Awareness: Focus on your senses to become acutely aware of the world around you. Ask yourself what you see, hear, feel, smell and even taste. These small questions guide you to the present moment in the space you’re in.
- Breath Work: Sitting or lying down comfortably and taking deep, intentional breaths fills your lungs with fresh oxygen and thus revitalizes your body.
- Guided Meditation: Search any media platform such as YouTube or Spotify and you will find an abundance of short meditations guided by a professional. Find a comfortable spot, put your headphones in and get present!
8: AROMATHERAPY
This effective technique is more accessible than you think. Don’t worry if you don’t have a diffuser or a fancy candle; the power of scent can be achieved by smelling various things you find around your home that bring you joy, like your favorite perfume/cologne, clean laundry, fresh baked goods and more! If you do have access to a diffuser, drop a few of your favorite oils in there and breathe in deeply while focusing on relaxation and being in the present moment.
9: RAPID LUXURY SPA
Treating yourself to a quick session of moisturizing with your favorite body oil or lotion can be a revitalizing experience. Perhaps you’re a skin care enthusiast and have the right products to perform a quick face mask or exfoliating process. A quick, steamy hot shower can be the reset you need that will allow you to return to broadcasting feeling fresh, sensual, at your best and ready to perform.
10: GET CREATIVE
Do something fun that exercises the creative side of your brain, such as an adult coloring book, knitting, painting or sketching. Engaging the creative side of your brain will take your mind off of the stresses and pressures that can come with performing an intense live show for your fans.
11: GET MOVING
Whether a quick stretch, getting up and doing squats or jumping jacks, or a short but intentional yoga session, getting up and moving around is the perfect way to kick up your energy and refocus. Almost any amount of exercise can make you feel a little more fabulous and powerful, so take a few moments to get your heart rate up and your body moving.
12: SNACK TIME
Let’s face it: feeling hungry can be distracting, making it hard to focus or care about anything besides the need to bite into something delicious. Take a break from your broadcast and feed your face, so you can regain focus on your show and bring that incredible energy your fans know and love you for.
I know what you’re thinking. “I really do not have the time for this!” But trust me, you do. If you think of the time you put into scrolling through social media or simply sitting and being stuck in your stress and anxiety, you will soon realize that you can spare 10 minutes for rejuvenation and resetting between shows. It’s a small investment that pays off big once you get back in front of the camera and give your fans exactly what they want: you at your best!
Johnny Diamond is senior account manager at camming platform CAM4. Follow him @JDiamondXXX on Twitter and contact johnny@cam4.com for more information.
