Why Taking Breaks in Acting is not only okay, it can be crucial for your mental & Physical Health
By Jen Berry
(TW: talking of suicide, depression, cancer, death, and chronic illness)
Story time. This is a long one. I’m going to be vulnerable here and say that, until recently the breaks I have taken from my acting career have been done so unwillingly. With a feeling of guilt, panic and fear of stopping momentum.
I see now they were a gift. They let me heal, they let me grow, they let me become a more empathetic person, and they let me come back to my career with the ability to create richer, deeper more embodied characters.
My first unwilling break was in my 20’s. I was go- go- going for so long. Living in New York City. I had been battling depression for a while, I even moved home for 3 months because I thought maybe I needed to start over… I then moved back for a boy…stupid yes. Between my day job and auditions and acting classes, I didn’t have time to stop and think about just how poorly I was doing. Until one week changed everything. I was asked to housesit at a massive house in New Jersey for 4 days. Alone.
Four whole days with nothing but me, my thoughts and the snow coming down outside. My world came imploding in and I couldn’t ignore the depression any longer. It swallowed me whole. I couldn’t get out of bed. My Dad flew out from California to be with me because I was finally able to admit I was having suicidal thoughts. I was convinced to come home to California and spent 3 months in a haze seeing therapists and getting treated with TMS therapy. 3 months later I was starting to feel like myself again. Starting to make plans to move back to New York. To pick up my career.
But as they say, the body keeps the score and I had been abusing mine. Ignoring signs and pushing through. My acting break was not yet over.
Just a month after I recovered mentally. I fell ill. I hadn’t felt right for 8 or so months before but nothing I couldn’t ignore and shove aside. I was a struggling actress and did not have health insurance after-all. It wasn’t until I ended up in the ER every weekend for a month that I realized something was really wrong. I went downhill fast. It took a year of being virtually bedridden, in agonizing pain, and on so many medications I could have opened my own pharmacy, until I was finally properly diagnosed with numerous chronic illnesses.
I had several doctors tell me I would never act again. I refused to believe it and kept going until I found a specialized team that believed in me and had their own amazing talents in their fields of specialty. It would take 2 more years, multiple surgeries and recovery before I would step foot in an acting class or audition room again.
I was so scared walking into my first class after this unintentional break. After 3 years away, could I even act anymore? The answer is yes I could. And as soon as I was back in it I felt the joy and thrill it always brings me, and thanked the universe and my own personal willpower that I did not give up and believe those early doctors.
After that I did not stop acting, not even when the pandemic hit. I took acting intensives over zoom from my old acting studios in New York. Something I always wanted to do but never had the time. I also took Meisner classes and dialect classes. I hosted a weekly self-tape group with all my acting friends. It was glorious.
My second break has been this past year. I consciously chose it. I’ve been in what I like to call my grief cocoon. In March of 2022 my Dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. In August of 2023 he passed away. To put it bluntly I am dealing with PTSD, as his passing was not an easy one to bear witness to. He was such a pillar and beacon in my life that his loss has affected me profoundly. I am no longer the person I was before. I decided to consciously step away from acting so that I could focus on myself, my relationships, healing, and coming to terms with his passing, and deciding who I am and how I want to move forward with my life in the aftermath of it all. I am giving myself the time I need to recover and come back to acting as open and authentic as I can.
I would not be who I am today without those breaks. While the unintentional breaks are hard. I would not change it for it has brought me to a place where I know I’m meant to be.
Breaks don’t need to be years long like mine. Everyone is different. So, if you are thinking you should take a break, or maybe your mind or body has been telling you, you need one. Read on…
In the acting world, there’s often a feeling that you need to be constantly hustling—auditioning, networking, taking classes, and working non-stop to stay relevant and land your next gig. This “always-on” mindset can lead to burnout, both mentally and physically. But here’s the truth: Taking breaks in acting isn’t just okay; it’s crucial for your overall well-being. Sometimes stepping away from the grind can help you come back stronger, more refreshed, and more creative than ever.
Why It’s Important to Take Breaks
Prevent Burnout Acting is a demanding career, both emotionally and physically. Constantly putting yourself out there, facing rejection, and juggling multiple gigs can be exhausting. When you push yourself too hard for too long, you risk burning out. Burnout can leave you feeling depleted, uninspired, and disconnected from your craft—making it harder to bring your best self to your performances.
Taking regular breaks helps prevent burnout by giving your mind and body time to recharge. When you allow yourself the space to rest, you’re more likely to return to acting with renewed energy, creativity, and passion.
Reclaim Your Identity As actors, it’s easy to tie your entire identity to your career. You can start to feel like every audition, role, or opportunity defines your worth. But the truth is, you are more than your job. Taking a break from acting allows you to reconnect with the other parts of who you are—whether that’s exploring hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying life outside of the entertainment industry.
Reclaiming your identity beyond acting can help you approach your career with a healthier mindset. You’ll be more resilient when faced with rejection or disappointment because you’ll know that your value isn’t solely tied to your work.
Boost Your Creativity Creativity needs space to thrive. If you’re constantly hustling, auditioning, and performing, it can be easy to fall into a routine where your work becomes mechanical. Taking a break gives you the opportunity to step back and refuel your creative energy.
Whether you use your break to travel, take up a new hobby, or simply relax, giving yourself time away from acting can help reignite your creative spark. When you return to your craft, you’ll likely find that your creativity has been enhanced by the experiences and rest you allowed yourself during your time off.
Mental Health Matters The acting industry can be tough on mental health. The constant pressure to succeed, the stress of auditions, and the emotional toll of embodying different characters can be draining. It’s essential to recognize when your mental health is being impacted and to take steps to care for it.
Taking a break from acting can give you time to focus on your mental well-being. Use the break to seek therapy, practice mindfulness, or engage in activities that bring you joy and peace. By prioritizing your mental health, you’ll be in a better position to handle the emotional demands of acting when you return.
Physical Health is Key Acting isn’t just emotionally taxing—it can be physically demanding as well. Whether you’re performing intense choreography, working long hours on set, or going through grueling audition schedules, your body can take a hit. Overworking yourself without taking time to recover can lead to injuries, fatigue, and a weakened immune system.
Taking breaks allows your body to rest and recover from the physical demands of acting. It gives you the chance to engage in activities that promote your physical health, such as exercise, yoga, or simply getting enough sleep. When your body is well-rested, you’ll have more stamina and energy to give your all when you return to work.
How to Take a Healthy Break
Give Yourself Permission One of the hardest parts of taking a break is giving yourself permission to do so. You might worry that if you step away, you’ll miss opportunities or fall behind your peers. But remember, your health comes first. Allow yourself to take a break without guilt. Trust that when you come back, you’ll be in a better place to seize opportunities and continue pursuing your career.
Set Clear Boundaries When you decide to take a break, be clear about your boundaries. Let your agent, manager, or collaborators know that you’re stepping away for a period of time, and set expectations about when you’ll be available again. This helps ensure that your break is respected and that you’re not being pulled back into work prematurely. Yes, you may be dropped if it is for a very prolonged period of time. There are more agents and managers out there. There is only one you. You are of no use to anyone if you burn yourself out.
Use the Time for Self-Care A break is an opportunity to focus on yourself. Use the time to do things that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Engage in activities that bring you joy, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or traveling. Make self-care a priority so that when you return to acting, you’re doing so from a place of strength and balance.
Reflect and Reassess Taking a break is also a great time to reflect on your career and reassess your goals. What do you want to achieve in the next phase of your acting journey? Are there specific types of roles or projects you want to pursue? Reflecting on these questions during your time off can help you return with clarity and purpose.
Embrace the Power of Rest
Taking a break from acting is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. It shows that you understand the importance of taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically. By embracing the power of rest, you’re giving yourself the tools to come back to your craft more focused, creative, and energized than ever before.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed or run down, remember that it’s okay to take a step back. Your health and well-being are the foundation of your acting career, and taking time to nurture them is one of the best things you can do for yourself—and your future in the industry.
