Coffee Vs. Green Tea: The Beverage That Improves Overall Performance

The theatre world is tremendously competitive and highly active. Within the film industry, call-time and working on set can range anywhere from 3am to 12pm, and actors can be called in later as well. As fun as acting is, it is a highly active job and can wear a person down quite rapidly. So what do we turn to? Coffee. The instant caffeine booster that wakes the crew up within a matter of minutes. This world is extremely fast paced, and as the workdays tend to get longer, workers wear out faster and turn to coffee on a constant basis to keep them alive and awake. However, this highly addictive drink has been sending people to the hospital on a constant basis because of the overdosing of caffeine. This actually happened to a close friend recently who is actively involved with theatre, and nearly died. Her recovery was ferocious as the doctor ordered her to quite caffeine cold turkey. This resulted in intense headaches, tantrums, anxiety attacks, and lack of concentration. After this incident occurred, it was high time to search for an alternative to coffee in order to save the rest of the hardworking entertainment industry.

It was long ago that coffee was initially encouraged to drink in the coffee houses of Mecca as caffeine was then seen as a health benefit. With this in mind, it’s rapid popularity swept across the globe and became apart of the Arab culture as well. It was not until 1615 that Venetian traders brought it to Europe, where it became the fastest growing market in the world. However, one cannot help but question whether such a good tasting, beneficial beverage has a hidden catch.

An abundant amount of articles have been hitting the newspaper stands and consuming the web on the health risks of coffee. For example, the Coffee Science Information Center announced a discovery that claims that a total of “two studies have confirmed that high doses of caffeine promote anxiety.” More importantly, this research program also strongly urges athletes and physically active people “to abstain from consuming [coffee]. It is assumed that caffeine, which is a mild diuretic, will exaggerate the dehydration and electrolyte loss caused by exercise and lead to impaired athletic performance or health” because of the electrolyte imbalance it produces. With acting being considered a highly active both mentally and physically, this information should be taken to heart.

With the world’s fast paced, high energy levels, it appears almost impossible to give up coffee or caffeine altogether. Green tea however, appears to be an excellent alternative to coffee. It has lower caffeine levels, but highly effect health benefits, and with catching the common cold, flu, or fever being such a community within the performing arts, green tea can actually put those sicknesses to a halt. In on recent study, researcher Lisa Marshall of the Daily News Transcript found that green tea has “the ability to fend off cancer, reverse heart disease, and promote mental clarity, to name a few.” Tea has been around for centuries from all parts of the world, including the most popular tea consuming countries China and Japan, as shown above, and it is because developing a complete and full state of well being that tea is, and has been so centered among these cultures. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s, claims Marshall, that research in the United States became centralized for finding the health benefits of this green tea.
With such high interest in this new phenomenon, it has been found that green tea “contains an amino acid called theanine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier reducing stress and possibly promoting better cognitive function,” states Marshall. Along with this rather exciting information, green tea can also help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. John Foxe, a professor of neuroscience studies the effects of tea on the brain and found that "within 20 minutes of drinking a cup of tea, there was an impact on the brain's alpha waves," which are lowered due to the theanine content within tea increasing levels of concentration.

On top of all the mental benefits green tea has on the human mind, there are also several findings of physical benefits. To name one, the fluoride levels in green teas “are generally comparable to those recommended for the prevention of dental caries (cavities)” states Jane Higdon, a PHD at Oregon State University. She also found that green tea could help reduce reception of kidney stones. The favorite physical finding to many is the result of higher metabolism, which can lead to weight loss with the correct diet. On top of this, drinking this tasty tea also takes care of water consumption without the added calories or sugar. There are still several research studies being conducted, leading to even more reasons to drink green tea. However, even though green tea contains much lower levels of caffeine compared to green tea, as shown on the chart to the right, highly active people should still be cautious of their caffeine consumption. So how much should be consumed to get just the right effect of all the benefits? Marshall found that “people should drink between three and six cups per day” in order to get the maximized “bang”.

Next time the urge for caffeine and energy consumes the body, grab a cup of green tea to rejuvenate and energize both the body and mind. The performance world is upbeat, competitive, and demanding, and it is essential to be on top of the game at all times. Since coffee can actually lead to a trip to the hospital, ruining the career and body, why not switch? After all, the exchange of coffee for tea may actually save a life or two.

Venturing Out: Bring in the Missing Links

I took the liberty to scope out for some artist advice within the blogsphere, and found myself lingering among the martial arts. As a student performer, it has been required and strongly suggested by all my professors to get involved with martial arts. I never knew why until I began taking classes. Ever since then, I have been able to become completely aware of my body and have overcome practically every obstacle I put my mind to, and I must say that I have the martial arts to thank. I found some martial art based articles that clarify how to apply this art both to the sport itself as well as in a performance aspect. The first site I found is called AikiThoughts and is primarily based on the discoveries the author has made in the life of a martial artist. The article titled The Equation discusses how being aware of one’s body can help accomplish or defeat the obstacle or opponent. The other article I read is from the Aikido Journal (as shown to the left), and discusses being in tune with the body by way of getting into the “zone”. But what really sparked my interest was how the given tips from both articles can be applied both in daily life, and in the life of a performer. After reading these articles, I commented on each one to further explain how martial arts can help on a day-today basis, as well as in the performance world.

“The equation”
Comment:
While reading your article, I could not help but notice how your equation can have a strong influence on how we view our lives everyday. I believe that practice in the martial arts is a tremendous way to build confidence, which can lead accomplishing whatever goal we put our minds to. Aikido, or any martial art for that matter, requires the performer, or “X”, as you stated, to enter into a realm of complete body awareness. With this, one is able to reach “victory”, but only with the addition (or the +) of a challenge/challenger. With this, would you be implying that it is necessary for us to be challenged in order for us to benefit a victory? You mention that victory is “the best outcome possible for a given situation”, and I am curious to know if you are suggesting that one can be victorious even if one’s goal is not obtained.

To further implore upon your article, how does one reach that state of becoming in tune with the body, and how long does it take on average to reach this state? I am involved with theatre and am constantly advised to get in touch with what is going in both mind and body. Does this often naturally occur with the constant practice of the martial art?

“Martial Arts and the Zone”
Comment:
In response to your article, it appears to me that getting in the zone is achieved by thinking on simpler terms, and not getting into our head so much. Digger deeper, I believe that following instinct can behold wonderful effects as well. I am a theatre major at USC and have been advised by all my professors to follow instinct and not to think so much. Can this also be defined as getting into the zone?

All my life I have been told to work hard, or as you stated “try harder”. I do believe that trying harder or working harder can cause interference and can actually limit us if not using the correct tactics. But at other times, I have succeeded by really putting my mind to accomplishing what I want. I have done some martial arts and simply trying harder has worked for me. I tried harder by going to more practices and studying the art at home. Yes, it did add a little bit of extra stress here and there, but in the end I succeeded. In interest of getting into the zone, I do believe that it does ease the mind and allows us to become more aware of ourselves, which is important as a performing artist, but I also believe that working hard also segue into success, both in martial and in everyday life.

Get Educated: Continuous Learning Takes on Dramatic Changes in Career and World

Who ever said that once college has come and gone, learning should vanish as well? Shakira, a well-known dancer and singer, has taken it upon herself to put her career on hold for a summer in order to take a course at UCLA for “her own enlightenment and enjoyment,” said her Western Civilization professor, Robert Cleve. This news may appear to be quite astonishing, especially since she is already viewed as highly successful. However, for performers it is essential to
continuously educate the mind and stay on track with worldly news on a daily basis. The performing arts is a representation of life itself, and to remain ignorant of culture, history, and the world today, the career as an artist can only go so far. Becoming well-rounded and versatile will increase the likelihood of success, because people scout for those who work hard and have an extensive repertoire of talents under their belt.

Dating back to the mid 1800’s, famous performers such as Benoit Constant Coquelin gives the very same advice. Throughout his career, he studied this art immensely and wrote a number of essays about this subject. In his essay titled The Dual Personality of the Actor, he states that “The dramatic art is…the art of humanity, and this is what makes a play of the highest pleasure…” He too believes that “Art is…not identification, but representation.” If actors are to imitate life, they need to absorb themselves in it. Drawing from historical and successful actors such as Coquelin goes to show just how crucial it is in be an observer in everyday life. It is a method that has worked for centuries and is taught to those who aspire to be elite performers.

One might wonder just how to do get involved with the world and become an avid observer of life. There is, after all, and unlimited amount of activities and studies to inquire in ones archive, and where does one begin? Extracting guidance from yet another historic master of theatre is a man by the name of David Garrick who strongly advices to get in touch with nature. In his essay titled An Essay on Acting, he mentions that “the only way to arrive at great excellency…is to let nature herself sit to the artist: would a player perform equally excellent in his profession, let him be introduced into the world…” It is of high importance to dive into life by allowing nature sink into personal life. Understanding nature is equivalent to understanding the world. If an actor relies on the power of nature rather than the power of oneself, representation of life can be accomplished on stage, on camera, or on a canvas, but only with great study and practice. By no means can this goal be reached over night.

The world famous Konstantin Stanislovskii, as shown in the image to the left, gave great advice on how to begin to allow nature seep into one’s life. Within his writings, he mentions that all masters of art should write, and keep a daily journal of every performance seen, little gestures people made on the street, etc. On top of this, he advised his students, from experience, to read voraciously, whether it be newspapers, novels, anything in print. Stanislovskii urged his students to visit museums daily, as well as concerts and art exhibits. In short, it is imperative to “develop your experience of the world and your ability to empathize with others through a broad liberal education.” With this in mind, recall certain moods from memory, and begin to take into consideration how the body is reacting and feeling in these certain moods. Once this is established, the actor will have a better grasp of how to represent that action or feeling on stage.

Becoming aware of the world within and around the actor will not only launch personal improvement, but can also make the world a better place to live. Performing can be a very selfish career, especially with constant self improvements and practices. However, with constantly surrounding oneself with current events, it is becoming increasingly common for actors to reach out to certain organizations that are designed to shape the world into a healthier, safer planet. Brad Pitt, to name one, has teamed up with an organization called Global Green in the hope of rebuilding destroyed houses from Hurricane Katrina. Pitt has taken it upon himself in understanding the high costs of energy use in homes, and with this knowledge he has been able to build low cost, energy efficient homes along the Ward, and is offering the homes to the families who lost theirs at that location, as shown in the image above. He is now highly aware of the damages the city caused, and he is extremely focused on providing families with a better, sturdier home compared to the shelters the government has temporarily provided.

Observing and taking initiative on life and what it has to offer will only provide greater opportunities for career advancement, and once performers dapple around with activities and education, nothing but improvement on self as well as inspiration to better the world will come about.