I work with a lot of actors in my practice and being an actor myself, I can relate first-hand to a lot of the issues and symptoms identified by my actor-clients: weight loss (check), skin flare-ups (former eczema-sufferer here), and anxiety (ding ding ding!).
Anxiety, nerves, self-doubt—a ton of actors deal with these feelings on a daily basis. These are normal feelings in an industry that can be so subjective and where emotions often run on the world’s craziest roller coaster.
Anxious thoughts and nervous butterflies are completely normal; they will come and go throughout your life and should never be judged as “bad.” The trick is not letting them overcome you and take hold for hours on end. What every actor needs, in my humble opinion, is a “zen toolbox,” a resource they can access when the mind races more than normal, like before auditions, performances, or everyday life.
Below are some of my top recommendations on what to keep in this toolbox for a calmer state of mind. Find what works for you, including items in this list and beyond, and keep them on hand for when times get a little tough.
Box breathing: This magical breathing exercise activates your
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