Many voiceover actors enjoy the convenience of working from the privacy of his or her home studio. No long commute. The trip from bed to the booth day or night can be the weekly work routine. Still, if you’re working at home alone, there can be unforeseen drawbacks. In the event of an emergency or crisis, the voice talent who is unable to reach out to someone near may be faced with severe or even life-threatening challenges. Here are some steps to meeting the challenges of being home alone.
Tackle Isolation and Loneliness
“Human beings are inherently social creatures,” says Christopher Bergland in his article, “Loneliness: Perceived Social Isolation Is Public Enemy No. 1. “Research continues to show that each of us must maintain social connectivity… .”
Make time to interact with others during the week to maintain connections and healthy relationships. Bergland further notes, “… research shows that we need face-to-face contact and intimate human connections to engage biological systems that have evolved for millennia to preserve our mental and physical well-being.”
You don’t have to leave home to reach out to others. In “7 Ways to Overcome Social Isolation When You Work From Home,” Ali Wenzke says, “Even a quick phone call with a friend can lift your spirits.”
Get an Accountability Buddy
If you live alone, consider partnering with another voice talent or at-home worker and commit to daily check-ins. Partnering is a way of letting someone know you’re okay. If an emergency occurs and you can not contact help, your regular check-in could save your life.
Not too long ago, a voice talent that I have admired for many years suffered a stroke in his home studio. Had it not been for a neighbor noticing the talent’s “SOS” taps for help, he may have lost his life.
“Always get to know your neighbors,” says Sarah Brown, a security expert at Safewise. “The more people invested in your life, the more likely they are to report an incident they see, to call the police if you need help, to watch your house while you are on vacation, or even to let you back into your home if you ever get locked out.”
Take the Edge off Emergencies
Life happens, so work to lessen some of the negative side effects. Let your family or a trusted neighbor know where to find your lists of medications, allergies, and personal information. If you cannot speak, others will need to see this information. You may want to keep such information in your wallet or purse.
If you have a specific health condition, wear a medical ID bracelet. OneCallAlert notes in 10 Safety Tips for Seniors Living Alone indicates, “This information can be invaluable to emergency medical personnel when they come to your home, especially if you’re unconscious or unable to communicate.”
Lastly, let your designated representative or representatives know how to obtain your Power of Attorney or Medical Directive. Store your documents with an attorney or other official organization so your information will only be released to the person or persons you have previously designated. If you must be hospitalized, your bills will still need to be paid. If you need extended care, others will need to know about any Long-Term Care or Disability Insurance policies. The only way your wishes can be honored is that they are perceived by others.
The above tips are just a few of the possible things you can do to safeguard your lifestyle as a voice talent working from home alone. Taking some precautions now can give you peace of mind behind the mic.
Your work should enrich your life, not cut you off from it. Today is the day to break a lip!