It’s evening, and tomorrow you’re meeting with the professional photographer who’s going to create a portrait that (hopefully) will represent you and your brand in the best possible light. Even better, it’ll be an image of yourself that you’ll actually like. What’s the number-one thing you can do to ensure headshot success? The answer’s simple as a good night’s rest.
Simple, but not always so easy. We thought we’d share a few tips on how to get a few extra winks and look fabulous when you’re in front of the camera.
1. Turn off that i-device or TV when you go to bed. Your brain reacts to the light coming from the screens of your devices and actually reduces the levels of the hormone melatonin (which regulates our internal clocks and is necessary for good sleep). Better yet, turn that TV or device off at least an hour before you go to bed.
Don’t go to bed hungry….or stuffed. Neither is good for sleep. Avoid eating at least a couple of hours before you plan to go to bed. This is also a great way to avoid those weird food-induced dreams (Eat one pizza before bed and suddenly you’re on a row boat in the middle of the Atlantic with a clown.)
Get physical. A little exercise during the day will help you sleep later that night. If you exercise 3-4 hours before your bedtime, however, the post-workout burst of energy can keep you awake.
4. Get comfortable. Make sure you have enough pillows to keep your neck in a neutral position. A cool, dark and quiet environment will help you most, but sometimes adding a little white noise will help prevent those bumps and bangs in the night from waking you up.
Pass on the nightcap. While many people think that a drink is a great way to unwind before bed, studies show that people that consume alcohol before sleep actually get worse sleep.
These pointers will help you sleep better in the short-term (i.e., before tomorrow’s shoot). For better sleep long-term, it requires developing new habits —doing such things as developing pre-sleep rituals and sticking to a sleep schedule. You’ll feel better, your headshot will look great…..and your photographer will love you (less Photoshop!).