Clint Eastwood, the legendary actor known for his roles in classic westerns and adrenaline-pumping action films, has opened up about his mental health techniques that has helped him keep his head above water during his years of fame and public pressure.
Talking earlier to GQ Magazine, Eastwood revealed that for decades, he’s been relying on Transcendental Meditation to maintain his mental wellbeing for the past few decades.
The technique, which he describes as incredibly effective against stress and anxiety, involves two daily sessions of a straightforward 20-minute routine.
It deviates from other meditation practices by not demanding intense concentration over extended periods, but offers a quick and deep route to mindfulness.
Its simplicity, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic, involves the silent repetition of a mantra to guide the mind towards tranquility.
Eastwood opened up about his personal approach to Transcendental Meditation saying: “I have been using transcendental meditation for over 40 years and it is a great tool for anyone to have to use for stress and anxiety. It is something that can benefit everybody.
“It just gives you a chance to gather your thoughts. I’m religious about it when I’m working.”
The filmmaker credits this habitual meditation in part for his ability to stay grounded through the whirlwind of a long career in showbiz.
Clint Eastwood’s daily routine typically begins with visualisation exercises, as he revealed: “I visualize whole sequences in the morning, before I go. I believe in whatever self-help you can give yourself, whether you believe in Buddha or whatever. I used to be much more of an agnostic.
“I’m not really a person of an organized religion…” Eastwood has been practising meditation for nearly 40 years, using it as a self-reliant tool to find calm. In contrast, his physical health regime is intense, drawing on his military service and incorporating weight training and body-building.
He is also strict about his diet, having lost his father to cardiovascular disease at a young age. His advice for a long and healthy life is characteristically straightforward: “Stay away from carbohydrates, especially rich desserts. Keep a scale in your bathroom. Get proper rest. Try to be optimistic. Eat fruits and raw vegetables. Take vitamins. Skip beverages loaded with sugars. Avoid alcohol in excess.”
