This activity encourages you to take a bold step forward with your mindfulness practice. Borrowed from the world of drama education, this is one instant mood-shifter you don’t want to miss.

The Theory

A great many practices from creative mindfulness guidebooks are based on activities and practices that many of us had as children because we look back on childhood as a problem-free time in which we could escape with fantasies and have a good old pretend about the world. The reality is, there is nothing to stop us from enjoying that feeling of pretending right now, and escaping at any moment we like in order to step out of our lives and get some perspective.

One such way that adults escape is through acting, whether it is in the professional form, or in the form of local amateur dramatics, improvisational games, or even just making silly impressions with our friends. Drama gives everyone a chance to play pretend, and be in someone else’s head for a moment instead of their own. Those of us who have really busy brains and are bogged down with worry could certainly use a break from our own negative thoughts once in a while, and there’s no better way to let those emotions settle than to take on someone else’s for a bit. There’s also a healthy dose of brain chemistry involved in changing our emotional state, even if it’s only temporary.

The Activity

You may think that acting and dramatics has to be a group exercise, but there are also lots of individual practices which actors must take on in order to prepare and succeed in their endeavors. One such practice is the monologue, which is a piece of drama written for just one person to express. Actors will often learn part of (or sometimes an entire) monologue as an audition piece which they can use to help them get cast in productions. It also provides a chance for them to show their acting chops by becoming someone that they are not.

Today, you are an actor. Just for fun, of course, although you might be bitten by the bug. Spend a little time searching for free monologues online, there are plenty out there. Shakespeare is always good fun, as are the works of Alan Bennett. Find a short extract at first, something that you like, and something which expresses a totally different emotional state to the one that you’re in. So if you’re worried, take a page of empowering speech or some flowery love sonnets. If you’re too energized, choose something soothing, or even a little mysterious. Perform this piece out loud to the very best of your acting ability. Nobody has to watch or critique. This is just for you to get into that emotion for a few minutes, and to leave yourself and your normal life behind.

Reflection

Speaking out loud helps you to control your breathing, which plays a huge part in circulation, oxygen in the brain, and feeling calmer overall. Acting can also be an invigorating task, one which encourages positive feelings in your mind and gives you a sense of achievement when you have completed a few really good lines. If you find a writer or a character that really speaks to you emotionally, you can achieve some very fulfilling results with this very simple exercise that you can do in the privacy of your own home. And if you have a partner or friend who also needs to take some creative time out, then this exercise can easily be expanded to fit more people in.