Health Tips for Chat Hosts--Please Share More

[danigirl]

Hello, all
I haven't been on the forum in a while--been launching some web projects lately--and I see that there are many newbies. I posted this info in another thread, but it was kind of buried under a completely different topic, so I decided to make it easier to find in the hopes that it will benefit at least a few models. I think it would be great if other hosts would respond to this thread including tips on the topic of health and maybe even about staying motivated/keeping positive attitudes.

Brazilianskills, of http://www.bella-home.com/ made such a good point for all girls who work on cam or are thinking about it to consider. She mentioned how she became sick a few months after starting. This job can be extremely hard on the body. When i first started i also got physically ill. The ergonomics involved with typing while posing, arching and bending is terrible for the alignment of the spine and many different problems can develop easily (carpal tunnel, plugged ears, frozen shoulder, pain, etc.) It's also easy to over stretch areas of the body (not to mention making your genitals sore if using toys for hours on end!)

My tips for anyone new to this or anyone finding it strenuous over time:

1: When not in a show (i.e. chatting in free room or just text or waiting for customers to enter, whatever) try to remain in sitting upright or standing positions as much as possible. When in free chat, if they want to see legs, butt, whatever, I may usually show them, but then go right back to my ergonomically correct positioning after.

2: Use audio! Give your body a break from typing all day. Of course, not all guys will have speakers to hear you, but most will. Customers will be generally happier and your spine/wrists will thank you.

3: Do not use the floor. A chair, a bed, even a thin mattress is better than using sheets on a floor. I was silly enough to start out using a comforter on a floor to do shows and the results after a couple of weeks were very painful. (Bad for knees and elbows.)

4: Alternate, alternate, alternate. For me, this is one of the most important things to remember. During a show some customers want you to do one activity for a long while. I make it a point to alternate which arm/hand I use every minute or so. This applies to toy use as well as keyboard usage. You don't want to overstretch one side of your body; this throws off your alignment over time. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse and every two days I change the side of my bed I sit it on. This one simple technique stopped my ears from plugging up all the time. (This is actually a good tip for all computer users, on cam or not.)

5: Take stretching/walking breaks. I do quick stretching and self massage right after each show. I also stop to walk for 5 minutes or so around my home after every couple hours. If you don't work from home, just walk in place.

6: Toy users: this may sound odd, but relax your vaginal muscles. I had the bad habit of squeezing my walls tightly on my toys like i was really having sex, LOL. I started getting so sore that I'd have to take days off because I was swollen too tight to insert a toy. If you tighten your muscles during sex, it's hard to get used to not doing it in shows, but just try to remember to control it and relax; after all, the customer won't know the difference, LOL (Applies to anal too, of course.)

7: Don't be afraid to charge more. You may wonder what this has to do with health. Well, I just feel like if you're gonna work your body, you should be getting the most buck for your bang, so to speak. If you're any good at what you do and are available regularly, you'll acquire repeat customers. It's better to get regulars who pay well, than to get cheap ones. I charge 2.80-3.80 and give no discounts on a site where most girls charge 1.98 plus discounts, and I almost always have back to back traffic. The faster you reach your earnings goal, the less you'll have to be online, the less the strain on your body.
Plus, I find that guys who are able to spend that kind of money stay in your room longer. They are also not as affected by economical ups and downs because they are usually professionals with high paying careers. The money is there, but if you don't ask for it (setting your price higher) you won't get it.

Other things to note: of course, have plenty of lube ready and don't be afraid to use it. A yogurt a day is great to keep yeast infections away. Drink lots of water. Warm up before a long day. I sometimes put in 10hr shifts, and like any physically demanding activity, it's good to get your blood going first so you don't damage your muscles. It's as simple as walking in place and breaking a light sweat.

Well, this is how I'm able to work on cam without making my TMJ symptoms flare up. I just wanted to put some advice out there for anyone who might be able to use it.
It's good to work hard, but it's much better to work smart and prevention is the best medicine. Whether you're independent, working on a site, studio, whatever, stack that cash the best way that works for you; just remember to be good to your body as well as your wallet

Please reply with any tips of your own...


Find and Share Tips & Info for WebCam Chat Hosts
http://www.CamGirlTips.com/blog/

[Hony]

A great post danigirl! I'll sticky this so it gets read some more.

One point I'd add is to make sure your room is properly heated. As with any physical activity being too cold can tense up muscles and increase the risk of strain. Given that we are working mostly nude it is important that the room itself is at a proper temp.

Hony

[Camspot-ash]

Great post

hey danigirl ? if you don't mind....can we publish this article at camspot for our models ? i am sure they will appreciate it...ofcourse we will give you the credit for this post ? maybe a link to your blog/profile ? facebook ? so you models can get in touch with each other

Let me know

[danigirl]

Here's another thing I have found to be great for reducing eyestrain. If you are working on a computer for lengthy periods of time, and what chat host doesn't, every ten minutes look away from the screen and focus your eyes on something in the distance for ten seconds. Don't worry if you don't remember exactly every ten minutes. Start by doing it whenever you think of it.


Find and Share Tips & Info for WebCam Chat Hosts
http://www.CamGirlTips.com/blog/

[minniesoporno]

I wou ld love to post this in my askacamgirl blog, but I need your photo, and website url or profile url of the site your on or your own site.

becuase I can post it.

You can email me your best photo and where you want your url to go to.

[Icemocha]

Thanks DaniGirl for all the tips. I've been doing very well during my first month of camming since I read these tips in your previous thread. I must admit, my first few days involved excitement, nervousness, and exhaustion. I'm used to working out, but still I felt muscle tension in a few places. I worked about two days and had to take a two day break to rest.

I had to rotate working a.m and p.m. to allow my body to rest. However, my mind is saying, "let's make money," but my body is saying, "hell naw." So, I'm listening to my body and trying to listen to you divas to stay as healthy as possible. Thanks for the advice.

[AdorableAudrey]

Thought I'd add couple of notes on toy safety, I've found that using toys for extended time can cause irritation, especially with toys of lesser quality. Glass/pyrex toys and hard plastic toys are often a lot easier to use for longer sessions. If you are like me and prefer to use realistic dildos, look at phalate-free silicone toys - they cost a bit more but tend to last a lot longer than cheap toys and are definitely more comfortable if you use them a lot.

Also, keep in mind lots of viewers prefer fingers to toys so you can start there if you are unsure and move to toys if requested.

[Lorrie]

[Hony]

I agree, I think toy use is pretty much expected.

[dreamvisionmodels]

Wonderful post , much appreciated for all new models!

Thank you!

[rainot]

How about placing the following warning as tip #1, in bold red letters and underlined?

READ THE CONTRACT THOROUGHLY, GIRLS. On most major sites (or should I say on EVERY site?) when you go to a private show, they're recording every second, and because of what you signed on the contract, they're legitimate owners of the videos, which are later sold to other websites.

Not sure if this is on every adult webcam contract, but it's on naked.com and streamate.com that I know of... and those are pretty big and wellknown sites. Their representatives DON'T tell you about it, they just tell you how much money you will get per minute, and maybe if you upload videos to your homesite... but they never say clearly "we will be recording your private shows, and later on we will sell them to other porn websites".

Though I'm sure some of you girls are intelligent enough to realize about these exploitments going on behind your back (because they don't spit it out clearly on the contract, they just say they own your "services" and can use them for publicity and commercially), I also believe that a large number of models don't even know their private shows are being sold on other websites.

So I wonder, is this the usual practice behind ALL adult webcam sites? Or are there also honest sites out there? I know that clients can also record the shows with various apps, and they can sell it to amateur porn sites, but the chances of receiving such clients is slim compared to working for a site that records EVERYTHING you do on a private show, and then sells it elsewhere.

[Hony]

[rainot]

[C_Mayfair]

For those of you working in a shared studio space - some tips about STDs.

If you are sharing keyboards and mouses with other girls who have been masturbating, there is a risk of sharing stds too. I have worked in 2 studios, one of them was very aware of risks and offered lysol wipes, sprays in every room, we were trained to clean everything after our shift (and before it too if you don't trust the other girls to do it efficiently). Also they supplied plastic cling wrap, if you preferred to cover the keyboard and mouse, also the remote for the cam or handle to it, etc. You should be aware of everywhere the other girls could be touching during a show, wash your hands often, bring your own sheets to put on the bed.
If you end up in a studio that is not taking this into account, encourage them to stock these supplies and train girls, and whether or not they do, you can bring your own cling wrap etc. and keep yourself safe.
Also if you're doing 2 girl shows, be aware of what your personal level is on how safe you want the sex to be. Don't share toys with other ladies, even if they're cleaned many types of toys are porous and can harbour bacteria or viruses. Don't do oral sex unless you trust that the other girl is safe, or you could try to fake it (I doubt dental dams will go over very well with chatters).

Take care!

[Victoria Jones]

Since I started doing this my thigh and bum muscles have been sore a lot. But that's good- it's like doing yoga all day. LOL