I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
So I've been dancing for a good bit and at my club I always do better on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Between dancing all night and the god awful bruises I get on my knees from the pole and stage I'm always completely beat by Sunday and even on Saturday I'm tired enough for it to effect my earnings. What do you guys do to ease sore muscles and bruises?
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
Maybe do 2 nights only. I can't work three nights in the row unless absolutely needed for money. Let your body rest and recover. Also, don't kill yourself on stage! You demage your knees and get tired while you need that energy to work the floor and make actual money.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
I agree, take it easy on stage. MOST customers aren't going to care about wild crazy floor work and pole tricks, so conserve energy on stage. Watch what your knees are doing; can you do those hip sways without letting your knees lean too far in toward center? Try to keep your knees centered over your feet, if you can picture what I mean. If doing floor work, take as much weight as possible into the hands to take pressure off the knees. I know it's easier said than done; when a favorite song comes on and I really get into it, I have a hard time holding back, but then I am all sweaty and muscles are all shaky, making it harder to do lots of lap dances! I also often take a couple ibuprofen before a shift.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
You'll get used to it? I find counting my money and visualizing meeting my earnings goal for the week to be pretty inspiring. I also take Epsom baths and smoke weed after my shifts to get a good deep sleep. I'd rather smoke a small amount of marijuana 4nights/week than abuse anti-inflammatoires and wind up with tears in my stomach lining.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
Have two versions of your stage performance the Saturday night 12:30 am club is packed version- basically all out- and the credible performance version- you can be a credible and beautiful performer with no floor work or pole tricks! No need to pull out all the stops for a lukewarm crowd.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
it's true that it gets better over time. my main tip is rest. I sleep or lay down pretty much all day after a shift, then wake up and gym, get ready and go to work. you have no life like that and your place will be a mess but you have the $$$. you could make up for it by taking 2-3 nights in a row off after that.
A lot of alcohol usually is also counterproductive when you try to work the next night as well. for me it's jut enough to give me energy and get me in the zone, but not so much i'm hungover.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
I was going to recommend the epson salt baths, that will help. Also, like many girls said lighten up on the floor work, esp. Friday. Also, try buying a roller for your muscles and take a supplement or drink a muscle milk. Stay hydrated. You seem pretty young to be experiencing burn out altogether but it is possible, I suppose. Are you making really good money on Sundays? Could you do every other Sunday?
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
When you start lifting weights at the gym you start with less weight, fewer repetitions, and fewer days working out. Start with less shifts per week, shorter shifts and less consecutive working nights and slowly build up. That might mean doing nights that are quieter until you're fit enough to work 3 consecutive nights.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
I take epsom salt baths, lay in bed the entire next day until I feel like getting up and doing what I need to do (errands, gym, etc). If I don't feel like getting up and doing errands because I am still tired, I stay in bed until it's time to start getting ready for my night. I also don't drink at work so I am not tired the next day due to hangover. Good luck!
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
BCAAs are workout supplements with nearly zero side effects for anyone, they're cheap, they're powders that you mix into a drink and there are yummy flavors like watermelon and blue raspberry. They are for muscle recovery and for me they make my pms symptoms not so shitty. You could try them out, order on Amazon or go to GNC.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
Proper preparation and recovery before and after your shift is essential. After work, you should go home, shower and go straight to sleep. Make sure you're getting at least 8 hrs of sleep every night, possibly more. Don't underestimate the importance of getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation won't only kill your energy levels, but it will leave you feeling irritable and depressed. During your shift, try not to overwhelm your body with too much alcohol, drugs, or smoking. Getting drunk every night is a fast road to exhaustion and hangovers will ruin your productivity the next day.
Make sure you're eating enough and eating enough of the right foods, too. Every meal should have protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Eating small meals throughout the day will keep your blood sugar even. BCAAs are great for energy before your shift and they won't leave you crashing like coffee, energy drinks, and sugary snacks will. Of course hydration is vital as well. Make sure you're drinking enough water throughout the day.
I agree with the other girls who mentioned you should go easy on the floor work and pole tricks. Save your best performance for a busy hour on a Friday night when you have customers at the tip rail who want to see something "cool".
Epsom salts truly are a godsend as well. I like Dr. Teal's eucalyptus epsom salts because they're so invigorating, and I soak for about 15-30 mins in warm water. I also try to get massages every other week to help my muscles recover. Remember that dancing is very strenuous on the body and you are an athlete, so you must treat your body well if you're going to be in this for the long haul. Your body will eventually get stronger and you'll be able to work more shifts. If you don't work out already, I highly recommend that you start. Not only will you look better, but you will feel better and be able to perform better at work.
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
So I finally have myself a nice self care ritual. Every night after work I go to the Korean spa. Entry isn't very expensive so it's doable even when I don't make much. I shower off and get in the hot bath, then I go into the steam sauna for 3 minutes (just long enough to open my pores), then onto the dry sauna to improve circulation and heal bruises quickly, then to the jade sauna to keep my heart and arteries strong enough to deal with the fuckery of horny drunk men and then a small dip in the cold bath so my muscles firm back up since so much heat will basically make them jelly and I can easily pull something. I usually do some light stretching in the jade room because it's low heat and doesn't restrict breathing and 2 days out of the week I get a 30 minute massage. This has tremendously helped me increase my earnings because I'm a massive bitch when I'm tired lol
Re: I'm always too tired to work more than 2 days in a row
^^ omg I'm jealous this sounds amazing! I miss SpaCastle in NY. All the spas here are French it's a different vibe and never ever affordable.