Health and Concept Artists.

..Concept Artists, especially freelance artists need to take special care to maintain career longevity.

By nature, most Concept Artists are relegated to sitting in front of the screen for hours, and hours, and hours on end.. Even if your not working, your checking out the latest, and greatest on forums, netflix, or gaming.

To top it off, there are not a whole lot of retirement options for Concept Artists..  I honestly, can't think of more than just a couple that I know that has an official 'retirement' plan from their employer.  So that said, if you start developing carpel tunnel, or a major health issue, you are quickly going to find yourself in a precarious position.

Here is a quick guide, that everyone should take a peek at..

http://mrintech.com/measures-postures-exercises-for-avoiding-carpal-tunnel-syndrome

I do things a tad different than most 'right' ways.. One thing that works for me, is to have my whole forearm on soft pad.  I HAVE to keep my elbows and wrists 'in line' with each other like the lower left corner of the above image. I can't have my wrists kinked at all.  Where I deviate from most advice, is the fact I sit low to the desk, and I rest as much of my arms on pads as possible.  Definately, take the time to get yourself square for years and years of concepting.  Even if you go to a job, bring your pads, your keyboard, and mouse.. 

As far as general health,  A lot of guys I know are doing P90x.  I'm doing a bit of Crossfit, the coaches at TamCrossfit.com have helped me out with the Paleo diet, and intense, but easy to get started workouts. 

Yeah, it's not easy, but sitting on our butts all day is the enemy.. It slows us physically, as well as mentally..  ..and will extend your professional relevance.