The way a top-tier Hollywood actor starts the day has little to do with glitzy stages. The Australian-born actress Nicole Kidman, 58, is drawing quiet attention after sharing a wellness routine she’s kept for her body and mind. It isn’t about expensive procedures or a special type of care—at the center is meditation and prayer that she repeats quietly every morning.
An Actor Who Starts Each Morning With Meditation and Prayer
In an interview with People, as reported by Spanish outlet Hola, Kidman said, “I meditate and pray every day, and I believe in the power of breathing techniques.” It was a message that caring for the body is important, but caring for the mind matters just as much. She added that she usually enjoys yoga, and when she feels she needs emotional comfort, she asks the people around her first for a hug. It’s a simple act of telling someone, “Hold me,” that helps steady the center of a wavering heart.
Habits that seem ordinary at first glance moved many people instead. Even at the height of her career, what he holds onto is ultimately just a few calm minutes in the morning.
Before Hitting the Red Carpet, a Habit of Quietly Visiting a Church
Kidman’s prayers are an old habit. In an interview with Variety, she said that ahead of major events like the Academy Awards, she always goes to a nearby cathedral or church. She said the time to settle her mind in a quiet chapel right before standing under dazzling lights helps bring herself back to center.
Raised praying at her Catholic grandmother’s hands, she still doesn’t take off the cross necklace her grandmother left her. Faith remains, for her, as a quiet foundation in life—something far different from the glamour seen on screen.
“Meditation Isn’t About Emptying Your Thoughts”
Psychologist and meditation expert Andrea Klimowicz highlighted the meaning behind Kidman’s habit. She explained that mindfulness—long viewed only as an alternative therapy—has been confirmed by a wealth of scientific data to help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance sleep quality. Research has also shown that an eight-week mindfulness meditation program leaves changes in brain areas responsible for emotions and memory.
Many people misunderstand that “meditation means completely emptying your mind” and give up too easily. Klimowicz said it’s natural for the brain to create thoughts, the way the heart beats. Meditation isn’t training to erase thoughts; it’s more like an exercise in stepping back and watching the thoughts that arise. She added that prayer and religious rituals, too, have psychological value because they help people find meaning and a sense of connection in the mind beyond any particular faith.
Three Minutes of Breathing in the Morning Before You Turn on Your Smartphone
No elaborate preparation is needed. For busy office workers, Klimowicz suggested a “three-minute morning breathing routine.” After you wake up and before you check your smartphone, inhale through your nose for three minutes and slowly exhale through your mouth. A long exhale sends a calming signal to the nervous system, lowering stress at the first step of the day.
Writing in a journal or jotting down things you’re grateful for at the end of the day is also a good idea, as is taking a short walk after removing your earphones. By simply putting that brief pause into everyday life, you can step away from endless work and burnout. Just like the calm that Nicole Kidman regains every morning, keeping the center of your mind is closer than you might think.
