Uh Oh, My Head is "Acting Up" Again
Okay, please tell me I’m not the only one who has an overactive head. You know the scenario:
Its 3:00 am. You can’t sleep. That monologue you’ve been working on won’t stop bouncing around your head. You think to yourself, “If I inflect the word she instead of me in this sentence, will it be more effective?” Then suddenly you’re dwelling on the commercial callback you had earlier that day. You know, the one for the fast food company where they asked for a close up of your hands as a way to judge your talent holding a burger and you stupidly offered up the finger you sliced that morning while cutting your bagel. You would have covered it up with make-up had you known but…could that really keep you from landing the job? Cuz you could really use the money for rent. And why hasn’t your new agent returned you call from LAST WEEK? And does your nose really look big in all of your new headshots? And now you’re going to be tired for an audition tomorrow. Cue hand reaching for Unisom.
Sigh. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Every now and then the anxiety of it all tips me head first into The Pit of Despair. I had one of those moments recently, and it wasn’t pretty. I lost a role that I really wanted and I mistook it for The End of the World. Silly me. Life did, in fact, go on. But when you fall off the horse, you’ve gotta get back on. Bruised ego and all.
I would be lying if I said there were foolproof ways to prevent these falls, because we’re human and as actors we tend to be overly sensitive. Our sensitivity is our best career asset and our worst day-to-day defense. So how can we have the best of both worlds?
This year I vowed to lower the anxiety factor by identifying stress releasers that had worked in the past and then making them part of my daily routine. And...I'm cautiously optimistic that they're working! Taking care of myself has finally become a priority. My body thanks me and my boyfriend thanks me.
Instead of obsessing & stressing I:
Go to the Gym. It’s a great way to let off steam and fill my body with endorphins. I go to the gym to relax, but I also benefit by getting into shape. Take THAT, Pit of Despair!
Get Acupuncture. I can’t advocate acupuncture for everyone, but I find that weekly treatments help rid me of anxiety and mood swings, and help my body function better.
Practice Yoga. Sometimes I want to pound my frustrations out at the gym, but it’s also important to center my body, breathe deeply, and clear my mind. Yoga shakes away the yuck from the day and keeps me in tune with body and spirit.
Volunteer. It’s easy to think in terms of “me me me” when you’re actor, because your business is you and it often hinges on how you think, feel, and look. I find that giving my time to a cause takes the focus off me and puts it where it belongs; the greater community.
Cook. Preparing great food for friends warms the heart and trying new recipes taps into the creative side of my brain. Sitting down for a home cooked meal with friends creates the warm fuzzy feeling of family, even when my blood relatives are on the other side of the country.
Playdates. Yep, just like the kind you had when you were a kid. A good sit down coffee session with a close friend is a surefire way to lift your spirits and take your mind off acting stress. I make it a rule, particularly if the friend is also an actor, to spend no more than five minutes dishing about our careers.
I’m always looking for suggestions to add to the list and would love to hear what you do.
And you know, if all else fails and The Pit of Despair prevails, I do what other actors do: check out my miserable self in the mirror and pocket that feeling for later. “Sense memories” anyone?
It's Friday and its been a productive week. I'm looking forward to sitting in my backyard and finishing my book, Lunar Park, watching football on Sunday (go Bengals) and celebrating the Emmy's with some Italian food and a few close girlfriends. But Monday, I'll be back with guns blazing.
Comments