Courtney Rioux

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What's Your Happiness routine?

Ever have a day or week when you feel totally lost? Sometimes, we get too busy or life throws us a curveball, and we start to feel anxiety, self-doubt, or just plain dazed. We may feel like we don't have a connection to the sense of who we are.

Not feeling centered makes it hard to find positivity or motivation, two things that are key to walking our path and reaching our goals. So, how can we get ourselves re-aligned when our thought train has run off the tracks? Here are three ways to do a quick re-set in those moments of uncertainty:

3 Ways to Quickly Re-Set

1. Move your body.

Nervous tension builds into restless energy in the mind and body. Exercising provides a healthy release for that energy (That's on top of endorphin release, benefits for posture, boost in physical stamina, productivity, etc.).

Find a few different kinds of workouts that you enjoy and go for it! Even a brisk walk or gentle stretch session can do wonders. My favorite: a one-person dance party.

 

2. Listen to your breath.

Making time for a mental practice is just as important as developing our acting skills or working on our squats. There are many types of meditation, so try one and see what works for you. If you have trouble on your own, there are apps like Calm and Headspace that guide you through sessions. Meditating helps you become aware of when the train is going off the tracks, allowing you to course correct with less judgement or panic.

Think you’re just not that good at it? Studies show that doesn’t matter. Meditation benefits you whether you’re “good” at it or not. And hey, it’s called a meditation practice for a reason! My favorite: Ziva Performance by Emily Fletcher (just sign up for her newsletter)!

3. Give thanks.

I always say, when you're feeling truly grateful for something, you can't feel negativity in the same second. Making a point to write down three things you are grateful for injects a dose of positivity into your day, and is a reminder that despite how lost you feel, you can still find something to be grateful for, no matter how small.

And remember, the actual feeling of gratitude is the most important part. My favorite: The Five Minute Journal.

Happiness Routine

Yes, we can use these practices for a quick re-set, but what if we incorporate them into each day? We form our own happiness routine! Making time for some combination of these activities each day becomes a healthy habit. And when you run into moments of feeling lost or listless, you have the resources of your happiness routine right there to tap, to remind yourself of who you are and where you are going. You can also rewire your brain and reset your own happiness set point! That way, adversity won’t hit you so hard next time.

The key word here is "routine". Since the world of acting can be topsy turvy, having your own routine may be the one thing you can consistently rely on. Give yourself that certainty each day in an uncertain profession!

Courtney Rioux, at The Whole Artist coaches actors and other creative talent who feel stuck in their career and want more out of life. She's here to help you shift your mindset from stuck and unhappy to empowered and joyful — all while making it feel fun and easy. It’s like therapy without the therapy.