Acting and Health Hacking
In addition to being a health-advocate and speaker - acting is another one of my big passions, and I’m lucky enough to be able to have two jobs that I love to do.
So this post is for all my actor friends out there - oh heyyyy!
The actor’s life is a crazy one, full of ups and downs. At times you feel like you’re on top of the world, and others, like you’ve lost track of where your confidence went . . . but then you’re UP again and you forget what it’s like to feel so low. And then up and down, up and down, up and down ...
Despite the love of it, let’s be super frank, it’s a tough industry. As actors, we literally face rejection on a daily basis, and more often than not, have little control over whether we book a part, despite giving a stellar performance.
The only thing we have control over in this crazy biz, is US. We are the product. Few jobs carry this quirk. The way we look (whatever wonderful way that is), our energy and our confidence are huge parts of booking any job.
So many actors and performers miss the fundamental link between feeling your best, free of little symptoms that slowly drag us down (digestive disturbances, brain fog, energy crashes, skin disturbances, constipation, etc.) and giving a solid performance when the time comes to be “on.”
If you’re functioning at 60% (even if you don’t realize it), doesn’t it make sense that your performance won’t be 100%?
Why wouldn’t we do everything we possibly can to hack our instrument to the best of our ability so we have the the body we’re proud of, the glowing skin that radiates on camera and the steady, and confident energy that give us the GREATEST chance of booking as many jobs as possible?
So what are some of the ways you can hack your instrument into performing its best?
Do box-breath right before doing a scene or audition: all equal breaths - 4 beats breathe-in, 4 beats hold, 4 beats breathe-out, 4 beats hold. Do this for 1-2 minutes. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system and gets you calm, steady and present for your scene.
Take a fish oil supplement daily. This boosts your brain health, so that you memorize lines faster, and retain them with ease. (1)
Drink Holy Basil Tea before an audition. This is an ‘adaptogen’, an herb that physically helps the body cope with stress and relax. It will put you in a steady state (not nervous) before walking into an audition
Eat a handful pumpkin seeds a day: this provides a super source of Zinc, which reduces breakouts and helps boost skin health. (2)
Remove dairy from your diet. Want better skin on camera? Dairy is a big contributor to skin-inflammation and can cause recurring breakouts. Ditch the dairy for a nice healthy glow.
Take a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar the night before an audition, and the morning of. This will reduce any bloating you might have so you feel light as air walking into that audition room.
There are hundreds of ways poor nutrition and health habits can hinder your potential as an actor. Luckily though, there are hundreds of ways good nutrition and the right health hacks can supercharge your potential, giving you the best shot of living your best life (booking more along the way)!
Applause, applause, applause.