Q&A Link Copied 03.19.25

Amanda Batula Says Antidepressants Changed Her Life

"I feel so much more like myself again. I really lost myself for a few years there." ByKara Cuzzone

If you’re a fan of Bravo’s Summer House, you’ve probably noticed a shift in Amanda Batula recently. On-screen she’s joking around more, and she’s willing to get dressed up and go out on the weekends.

And off screen, Batula is staying booked and busy with her recently launched swimwear line, solo press interviews, and collaborations with brands like Face Reality Skincare—things we haven’t seen from her in the past. 

It’s a far cry from the version of Batula we watched a few seasons ago, and she says the change is mostly thanks to her antidepressant. “It’s just completely changed my life. I’m able to wake up in the morning and I feel so much more like myself again. I really lost myself for a few years there.” 

Here, Batula opens up about dealing with depression, the process of trying to find the right mental health medication, and how she takes care of her mental health while filming Summer House. 

WM: Were you nervous to open up about your mental health struggles on Summer House? What made you decide to talk about it publicly, and what has the response been like? 

AB: I wasn’t nervous at all. I feel like on the show over the last nine years, I’ve literally shown every aspect of my life: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’ve been very transparent and open, and this is just another part of who I am. 

I actually was excited to talk about it, honestly, because it felt like a sense of relief. I felt so lost for so long, and once I finally figured out that I was struggling and there was something that I could do to help myself feel better, I was excited to share and tell everyone, “Hey, this is what’s going on with me.” I was not proud to be depressed, but proud that I was able to share something and hopefully help other people. 

So there was no nervousness about talking about it, and the response was insane. After that first reunion when I shared that I was struggling and on medication, the amount of messages I got—and still get to this day—from people who thanked me for being open about it was amazing. 

People have said that me talking about how I was feeling encouraged them to make appointments with their doctors, which is so meaningful and heartwarming. It just makes me want to continue to share and be open. 

Maybe I’m not out here saving lives, I’m not a doctor, but I am helping people in some way. And if that’s the most that I can do, then that means everything to me. So I will continue being super vulnerable and open about everything that I’m dealing with.

WM: I know you’ve said that, in hindsight, you felt like your depression started as post-wedding blues and got worse from there. Can you talk about how it evolved and how long you were struggling before you realized you needed to seek help? 

AB: I think it was about two and a half years that I was really struggling. In the buildup to the wedding there’s so much excitement, so much anxiety, so much stress. You’re constantly on calls, emails, planning things, trying on your dress, just all this incredible stuff. The wedding day is so amazing. And then once it’s over, nothing happens.

Afterwards I was getting DMs from people asking me, “Oh, are you dealing with the post-wedding blues?” I’d never heard of that before. And I realized, Wait, I *am* just kind of sad and just chilling on my couch and not really doing much. So I never snapped out of that. 

Then it was winter, so I thought, OK fine, seasonal saddies. It’s just because it’s winter. I kept making excuses almost, like, Oh, it’s just the post-wedding blues. Oh, it’s just seasonal saddies. Oh, I’m just not feeling myself. Oh, it’s just my hormones. Oh, it’s just this. So that was two and a half years of, Oh, if I take care of this, it’ll fix it.

And then it was Thanksgiving, and I always go home for Thanksgiving holidays. My parents kept asking when I was coming home, and a day or two before Thanksgiving I was like, “I don’t think I’m going to make it. It’s too much.” The idea of packing and everything was overwhelming me. And that’s when it really hit that I needed help, because this is so out of my character to just not go home. I love being at my parents’ house. 

A lot of people in my close circle of friends and family realized something was going on. I was shutting down. I wasn’t communicating with people. I wasn’t going to any events or anything. So people would check in, but no one really knows what to say. My parents were the ones that were like, “You’ve got to do something about this.” So that’s when it really clicked for me that something more was going on. 

WM: Earlier this season on Summer House, you mentioned you’ve been experimenting with different mental health medications and trying to find the right fit. Can you talk about what that process has been like, and where you are in your medication journey right now? 

AB: I was taking one medication that made me feel a lot better at first. But then I started feeling so much anxiety that it was almost debilitating. I was feeling happier, but my anxiety was so bad that I couldn’t do anything. My psychiatrist told me that could be a side effect of that medication, so he put me on a different one. And I was taking only that for a few months. I also take ADHD medication, but I stopped taking everything else and was just focused on my antidepressant to see how that affected me.

Once we found the right medication and dosage, we added in some other things to really help balance myself out. I’m still working on the exact right combination and dosage, but I’m feeling so much better than I was after that first medication. I felt so good after that first medication, and the way I feel now, almost a year later, is ten times better than that. 

It’s a long game, but it’s so worth it to find the right combination and the right medication for you. But it can be a frustrating process.

WM: What are the biggest differences you’ve seen in yourself since starting antidepressants? 

AB: I text people back. I’m just happier. Doing interviews like this, I would’ve shot down every opportunity to talk to anyone about anything when I was depressed. I felt so lost and alone, and like I wasn’t good enough for anything. I was like, Why would someone want to talk to me? 

I just feel the energy and the desire to do things, even if it’s going to be embarrassing or not work out—that doesn’t cross my mind anymore. I was in a really dark place and now I’m making appointments, getting my hair cut, going to the nail salon, getting out of my apartment, doing things, making plans, meeting friends for dinner at the last minute. It’s just completely changed my life. I feel so much more like myself again. I really lost myself for a few years there.

WM: Switching gears a bit, you’ve been open about struggling with acne since you went off of birth control. How does dealing with breakouts in the public eye affect your mental health, and what are you doing to cope? 

AB: I’ve gone through so many things on reality TV, but I think that filming while breaking out was probably the most insecure and hardest time I’ve had. I’m sure so many people can relate to having one pimple on their face, and they feel like that’s the only thing everyone in the room is staring at. And I felt like that all the time.

It was happening at a time where I was dealing with depression too. So that was also probably a part of why I locked myself indoors and turned so many things down; I didn’t want people to see me. I was dealing with weight loss and fluctuation also, and there were so many negative comments about that. And then my skin on top of it, it was just so much.

Paige had worked with Face Reality Skincare and she influences me all the time. When the opportunity came up to work with them I was like, “Yes, I want to do it,” and it really helped clear up my skin.  We’re just getting started, but I’m really excited with the results I’ve seen from my Face Reality regimen so far. My breakouts are so much more surface level now, and they’re going away faster. So I’m really excited and hopeful for what’s to come.

You shouldn’t be embarrassed of your breakouts. The internet is so wild these days, with filtering and this idea of perfection that it literally made me become a hermit. It made me shut down and not want to go out. And that should not have happened. That’s another reason why I want to talk about it—my mental health and my breakouts—because we’re all dealing with it. 

WM: You’ve also mentioned that you deal with anxiety and feelings of overwhelm sometimes. What’s it like trying to take care of your mental health while filming? Are there any self-care strategies that you use in the house? 

AB: Yeah, it’s been a learning process. I know Ciara and Paige deal with the same sort of feelings, which is probably why we find ourselves in bed and on our phones all the time. I think we need that mental break, and we need to almost dissociate. We need to leave the situation that we’re in mentally and just distract ourselves with silly TikToks or whatever’s on social media.

That’s one way that we’ve been able to calm ourselves down while filming, and that’s why you do see us all in bed a lot, because it’s like, “OK, I need a break from all these people and all this drama.” Even if everyone’s having fun, sometimes the energy is so much that I’m like, “OK, I’m not here right now. I need to go lay in bed or take a really long shower.” 

And then when I come home, Mondays are my Sundays. I’m like, “Don’t talk to me. Don’t text me, don’t email me. Pretend I don’t exist because I’m doing nothing all day.” I put the dogs on my chest and I just have a day to collect myself. I allow myself that grace day to just feel all my feelings, regroup, and then go into Tuesday strong.

WM: If you could give readers who are dealing with depression one piece of advice, what would it be? 

AB: I think there’s two things that go hand in hand. The first thing would be to talk to someone—anyone. It could be your parents, a sibling, a best friend, or it could be a teacher or a co-worker. For me, it was easier to open up to people I wasn’t as close with at first.

When you say it out loud and you admit it, that feels like the first step to getting better. At least it did for me. And then those people can help hold you accountable and check in on you. If no one knows that you’re struggling, no one’s going to know to check in and help you out.

And then the second thing is to be patient. Finding the right medication and letting the medication actually do its job, it’s going to take time. It’s not something that happens overnight. It feels like it’ll take forever, but you have to be patient and it will pay off. There’s no quick fix, there’s nothing that’s going to happen instantaneously. You just have to keep working at it and it will pay off, and you will end up feeling so much better.

The post Amanda Batula Says Antidepressants Changed Her Life appeared first on Wondermind.

Q&A Link Copied 02.28.25

Selma Blair Thought It Might Be Depression—Not MS

“If you’re exhausted enough, it all feels depressing.” ByCasey Gueren

For many of us, it might seem like Selma Blair’s journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) started in 2018, when she shared news of her diagnosis on Instagram. In reality, it started decades before that. Even before she was a teenager, Blair was going to specialists and searching for answers. By the time she was regularly gracing our screens in cult classics like Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and The Sweetest Thing, Blair had been battling symptoms on and off for years. 

After giving birth to her son in 2011, Blair’s search for the cause of her debilitating fatigue continued. “No one knew. I just needed an MRI to give some clarity,” Blair tells Wondermind. “I do urge that to people now: Ask for what you deserve. If that is available and that is something that can be a diagnostic tool for longtime neurological issues, then by all means speak up for yourself.” 

In the years since her diagnosis, Blair has become a powerful advocate for disability rights, chronic illness awareness, and taking care of yourself. But when it comes to extending that same grace and compassion to herself—well, she tells us that’s still a work in progress. 

Here, we spoke with Blair about being dismissed by doctors, how motherhood changed everything for her, and the power of community.   

Wondermind: How are you feeling today, really? 

Selma Blair: I’m doing really well today. It’s rainy, which is of course wonderful after such parched lands, and also terrifying for all the people that will have mudslides. That’s an ongoing theme in life: the good with the bad. But I’m doing really well. I’ve already done school drop off, had a business meeting, got in the bath, so now I’m doing really well. I’m finally focused—after a bath and 10 hours awake. It takes a while.

WM: Sometimes your mind and body need that momentum. That’s what we wanted to talk to you about today: how your physical health impacts your mental health—and vice versa. 

SB: This is totally my wheelhouse as I am someone that is chronically fatigued. I’m doing really well, but I think for anyone who’s had chronic illness or setbacks in life or anything, you are saddled with something. Mine is mostly fatigue and it’s been that way my whole life. 

Think of a baby when you put them down because they need a nap. Everyone’s like, “Ooh, cranky, tired.” And that’s how I feel now as a grownup. I wish someone would just put me down for naptime. They’re essential, I get them in as much as I can. But that is something I’m always kind of battling: how to get past that feeling of wanting to get back in bed so that you can be as productive as you can be and take care of your health. So it is all about those little things for me—having a ritual and telling myself I matter. 

I was always tired, that was a huge part of all my symptoms growing up. For anyone with MS or a chronic health issue or autoimmune condition, there’s usually a big sacrifice—other than the ones that seem obvious. And for me it was fatigue. So I was always on a healing journey before diagnosis. Always cleanses, exercise, getting really fit. And now I have to just build my stamina. 

As much as I advocate for taking care of yourself—and there are times when you really need the time off, you have to find a support system, and you have to do it to get better—you got to keep going. So I fit it in. I make sure I wake up early. I make sure that I go through all those things before the kid sees me. Because that was a really hard part of being a mom: not letting them see you sweat so much so they felt safe. And you’re freaking out in life! That was a part I really had to learn to adapt to, especially with not feeling well. 

But diagnosis really helped for my own knowledge that it was real. Some validity so that I could get my footing.

WM: You lived with symptoms for so long before getting that diagnosis. Did you feel dismissed by doctors during that time? 

SB: Yes, I was dismissed by so many doctors. And this wasn’t just a grownup or she-became-an-actress thing, like, It’s hard to read, they’re so dramatic. This was since I was little. And I have no idea if it really is a girl thing, although I know that is a statistic that seems to be true—that maybe you’re not taken as seriously or maybe most of the men are doctors (at that time especially) so there wasn’t a real understanding of the dynamics that a woman can go through, and that not everything goes under menstruation or depression or emotional things. So I was definitely swimming upstream there against the currents. 

I did see the best doctors and I did visit universities even as a 12-year-old, because it was already flaring up. The MS was already in me then and active, but then it would remit. I have Relapsing-Remitting MS, so it would remit and I’m basically a healthy person. So then you’re confused. But the fatigue was constant. By college, it was hard to stay awake. Even during field hockey practices, I’d try to run and every day the coach was like, “Do you not eat? Why do you have no energy? What’s happening?” And I’m like, “I don’t know. What’s happening with these people? How do they do it?” I just could not get it.

That was actually the thing that really took me out of work. After coming back from Hellboy II, I was on top of the world, and then during Kath & Kim, I got very sick with MS and I lost my hair and my autoimmune was crazy. And I was keeping it in, and that stress was huge.

When I got pregnant, I went into remission and I was like, Oh my God, my child’s hormones are making me feel great. That’s what I needed the whole time. Maybe I won’t be depressed anymore. I really just believed that I was solely, hugely depressed. I was medicated as a child. I was self-medicating with drinking. And so I had kind of lost touch with what my reality really was. And then when I felt great in pregnancy, and of course not drinking or anything, I felt incredible. So I didn’t know what it was. I had no idea that MS can go away when you’re pregnant. And I didn’t know I had MS. 

When I gave birth, I was like a month past my due date, so it was forced and it was painful and it was 37 hours of induced labor. Needless to say, I was exhausted. And MS hit as soon as I gave birth, and then it was just dismissed over and over as, “You’re an exhausted single mom. That’s what the pain is. All women have loosening of their ligaments and then it stretches back. So of course you’re stiff and tight.” But it was brutal. And I’m trying every healing modality. 

It was ultimately falling asleep in the doctor’s office that made the diagnosis actually finally happen. I literally just fell asleep and [the doctor] is like, “Wait, that’s weird.” And he got me up and was like, “Does she always do that?” And my boyfriend at the time was like, “Yeah, she thinks maybe it’s the depression meds. She’s really been struggling with this for years nonstop.” 

It was amazing to be seen for the first time. Because I didn’t know the language. I didn’t know this isn’t normal. Extreme fatigue is not normal. Fatigue you cannot get out of is not normal.  

But it did make me distrust myself, especially when you hear it enough and from doctors you really like and that really do want to help you. No one was just saying, “Oh, you’re totally insane. Go swim in a lake.” It was, “You’re obviously under a lot of distress. You’re depressed. You’re crying all the time and waking up laughing because you’re just under so much pressure.” It was such a relief to be diagnosed, and then you start the journey all over again of what will be your path. 

WM: And there’s so much stigma at play in those conversations too.  

SB: It was already bad enough that it was like, “Oh my God, you’re an emotional rollercoaster of a person. You’re so sad.” You just really do believe it and you feel guilty. I felt shame, like I can’t get past this for this life? I have a child I want to be a mother for. I want to learn to partner with his dad better. I want to get in shape. I need to work. I mean, it’s all very overwhelming—and very relatable, I think.

WM: Absolutely. When you think back to that time, how was your physical health affecting how you showed up in your work or family life? 

SB: For so many years I retreated, because by evening I would feel so awful. In the younger years when I could go out and maybe have a few cocktails—and then go home and sadly probably binge—there was maybe a forced energy I could have. You get a little alcohol, there’s a little sugar, you know, there’s things you can do to kind of numb the discomfort, physically at least. And it really did numb my discomfort, so I got by better. But then when that was obviously not going to work as something that could fit in my life productively or emotionally in any positive way, then you’re like…I don’t know how to do it. 

So nighttime would come around and it was just brutal. And people get angry. When you bow out enough, you’re a flake. So then your world gets smaller and smaller. It’s very common to then feel isolated because you just don’t feel good enough. But yet you don’t have any validity and it’s not obvious, it’s more an inner thing. So it can be really tricky emotionally to not feel lazy.  

It can be lonely and it takes time, but I keep just taking care of myself. And my relationship with my son is ever growing. So thank goodness that I have such a substantial relationship that I value so highly to keep my wish for success and health and emotions in check.

WM: It sounds like that relationship is one of the things that shifted your perspective on your health. 

SB: Yeah, and hearing other people’s stories. Hearing my own son’s experience and how it’s very different from mine as a child. You see, wow, there’s all types! He might’ve come from me, but he’s not depressed at all. And I don’t know if I was ever depressed or if it was exhaustion. I really don’t know. Sometimes they feel one and the same. If you’re exhausted enough, it all feels depressing. 

There’s a new thing I’m doing with Express4MS, and that’s why I love that campaign. People can go on and hear from each other and talk and vent and tell your story safely. 

WM: That must be so validating, and also a good reminder that your diagnosis doesn’t define you. 

SB: It’s a part of you. And it may be a huge part of you to have a diagnosis. And you do have to live your life around some things—at least for a while, or maybe always, depends what your situation is. But it still is never going to be all of you. It is a part of you and there’s so much more to us. 

And that applies for big diagnoses and people of all sorts, of course. But it’s a very important rule to live by. There’s so much more to people than one big diagnosis or one point of view or one anything.

WM: You’re such a powerful advocate in this space. What are some things you’re still learning about taking care of yourself? 

SB: I was so reluctant to think I actually had something really wrong with me. And thank God it wasn’t a bigger thing wrong with me. I’m still here and I found options, so I do feel a real personal obligation to keep saying: Don’t give up. 

But even as much of an advocate as I am, I had no idea it was going to keep changing. Even though I was the biggest advocate for MRIs, [at one point] I didn’t go get MRIs. I was in denial. Then finally I was encouraged—you’re still not right. It even happens to the advocates! 

WM: What part of your mental health still feels like a work in progress? 

SB: Changing the language in my head. I’m 52, but I’ve had a good 48 years probably of a lot of shit-talking to myself. And that takes time to undo. I mean, I really wish it could be overnight, and in huge ways my own attitude adjustments were overnight, but I still don’t know the vocabulary of someone that knows how to be patient and knows that they matter, so that you can take care of your tribe. So that you can have a tribe that’s worth having. 

Because if you’re not treating yourself with respect, it’s not going to extend. I give that courtesy to my friends and people in my life to always change and get better. And I am learning to do it for myself in all ways, but it’s always a work in progress.  

WM: How did motherhood change your relationship with your health and your mind? 

SB: Motherhood? It was wild. Being a mom and not yet diagnosed and feeling horrible for his first five or six years is still something I’m recovering from emotionally, because I still have that guilt of just feeling miserable. But I did have the wherewithal in those moments to be grateful. 

It is very life-changing to give yourself grace. Those glacial years with my son, when my eyes were burning out of my head and I was praying for nap time and wondering, What am I going to do? I think I did recognize, Thank you God for a healthy child. Thank you God for giving me this healthy child to want to live for, because I feel like I want to die. 

And when I was home from work and feeling the fear and sadness of not being able to work and earn money, I was like, Oh my God, what a blessing I’m home with my child. I can remember these years and I can realize I spent every waking second doing the best I could. 

WM: What an amazing mindset shift. 

SB: Mindset is everything. I’ve always been someone that’s had to fall a little deep to bounce off the bottom. And that’s how it is with your emotional and health journey sometimes. But you hope you don’t go too far to the bottom, and that there’s going to be someone—you know, the hand of God—that reaches down. I have been very lucky that I’ve stayed the course and I have had those saviors as well. 

Also, the kindness of strangers—people on Instagram. I feel a real connection with people and a real need to give back because they kind of saved my life—this core team of strangers from Instagram that I’m actually friends with now saved my life when I was first having real challenges many years ago. 

I had a small but loyal fan base who was there when I came up against a wall and had public humiliation years ago with an instance that forced me to get sober again. The shame of that is intense and thank God there wasn’t a horrible thing that came out of it. 

But I also want to tell people—because I know people get in desperate situations out there and I can relate—I don’t want them to give up. Just because you make a choice does not mean you have to make a next set of horrible choices to ruin your life, or your child or the people that care about you. You can get to the other side. And if you break down again, you can still get to the other side. You have to keep trying to get to the other side of the road that’s safer and better for everyone. 

That was huge that people supported me in that time, because I didn’t want to give myself grace. The support that I had from people on IG that could relate or could understand or had a relative that had been in that situation, that got me through. Because you think the whole world hates you if you hear 10 loud voices. And that can really get to a sensitive person. And it’s such a cause of suicide in people, this bullying that can happen if you make a mistake. I credit the human compassion that six young people and two people my age gave to me and are still my core fans and friends off of IG now. It really was a huge gift.

WM: Looking back on those harder times in your life, is there anything you wish you could go back and say to your younger self? 

SB: There always is. There have even been healers in the past that have said, “You have to make a shrine to yourself.” Ew, gross. And then I did. I put a childhood picture and a grownup picture and just some pretty simple things. It’s just a little meditation bench. And when I really had trouble with forgiving myself or for wanting more for myself, I had to look at that little girl that was terrified and didn’t feel well but was also a really loving person with a great imagination and stories in her, and I have to give some respect. You know, better late than never. 

So that was a good idea for me. I’m not someone that does do a lot of shrines, but I do have a little meditation shrine. And I don’t always have a picture of myself on it, but there were a good five years where little baby Selma was up there, and I was like, Let me know you! I’m sorry! I’ve got to forgive that. It’s OK. I’m with you now. And it’s so cheesy to some people, but it also can be really effective.

WM: Definitely. That’s a tip we’ve heard from therapists about countering negative self-talk too. 

SB: Yeah, because the negative self-talk is hard to go away unless you forgive. You might not legitimately have something to forgive. It could be something you built up, but you still have to forgive. And that’s one of the best things I’ve ever gotten from spiritual teachings that I dabbled in. I had to take literal night courses on forgiveness. It’s vulnerable and you have to get in front of people and forgive all these angry feelings, and that’s a work in progress. 

WM: What advice would you give someone who is struggling with their physical and mental health or facing a new health diagnosis? 

SB: The honest and simple advice—even though it sounds vague, but it kind of covers everything—is: This too shall pass. I mean, everything does. Even the most excruciating moments, they will pass, just like the most incredible ones will. So enjoy it, seize the day. 

Also, you’ve got to have grit. I had to find someone I loved more than I hated myself, and that was my son. And he came just in time, because right when he came, the shit hit the fan with the way I felt emotionally and physically, and thank God he was there. Thank God my dog—my beloved soul dog—died when I was pregnant, or else I would’ve drank myself to death. You’ve got to look at those as huge signposts. Don’t stop reading the signposts. 

Each day, pick one good thing to do for someone else and one thing that makes you feel good. Do that. Really simple. No matter how small it is, whether it’s lighting a candle and just saying, “Ahh, breathe in, you deserve it.” It could be that small. Or just saying, “No, this too shall pass,” if you have energy for nothing else.

WM: Right, because everything is temporary. 

SB: Even life! And that’s the curse and the blessing of all of this. But that is something we are all in together, that I can say for sure. The one thing we all share is that we’re all living and we’re all dying. And that somehow puts things in balance sometimes and causes me to have a little more patience when I lose it.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

The post Selma Blair Thought It Might Be Depression—Not MS appeared first on Wondermind.

Q&A Link Copied 01.22.25

Kristin Chenoweth Is Working On Saying No

“When left to my own devices, I will come over to your house and sing for your next door neighbor's cousin’s little sister's birthday party." ByCasey Gueren

When you stop to consider her incredible career—spanning several decades and creative mediums—it’s hard to imagine Kristin Chenoweth ever sitting down, let alone resting. And she’s the first to admit that it’s something she’s struggled with over the years. 

“I’m an adrenaline junkie,” Chenoweth tells Wondermind, in the calm and grounded tone of someone who has clearly done some self-reflection on the matter. “I do best under pressure—that’s where I really shine. That’s probably why I like a live audience and performing live best.” 

Whether you know Chenoweth from her iconic stage performances, countless film and TV roles, singing, writing, or hilarious cooking videos on social media, there’s a very strong chance you’ve been inspired by her work at least once (and probably much more than that). As the original Glinda in Wicked, Chenoweth is Broadway royalty, and she’s gearing up for a return to the stage this year in the new musical Queen of Versailles. 

But despite her seemingly nonstop career, Chenoweth says she’s been prioritizing self-care more and more lately. It’s a habit that’s become even more crucial after what she describes as “crashing and burning” two years ago, thanks to her packed schedule. 

Here, Chenoweth shares how her outlook on mental health and rest changed over the course of her career, how she prepared emotionally and physically to revisit Wicked more than 20 years later, and the advice she wishes she could give her younger self.  

WM: How are you today, really? 

Kristin Chenoweth: Well, today we’re watching California burn. I was a resident of California for 24 years, and some of my friends have lost their homes. So how I’m feeling today is grateful. I’m in a prayerful mood because that’s what I tend to do when things like this happen. 

WM: You’re someone who has been so outspoken about mental health—in interviews, a Super Bowl commercial, and your last book. Were you always this comfortable talking about mental health? 

KC: I never felt really safe talking about depression. Because, remember, my era was: Suck it up, buttercup. Pull up your big girl panties. Leave the tears on the pillow when you’re by yourself. And I grew up very much doing that. I think that fed into a problem with perfectionism and an eating disorder and depression. Just the perfect little storm of your average nightmare is me. 

There’s a misconception about me that everything’s perfect and rainbows and pink. And you know what? I am overall happy, but I do battle—just like millions of people in the world—with depression. And nobody wants to hear my problems because I have a good life, right? A lot of people don’t understand what’s going on behind the scenes. 

The truth is, this generation is allowing me to say: You don’t have to suck it up, buttercup. You don’t have to save your tears for when you’re by yourself. It’s OK to be sad. A lot of people go through it. You’re not alone. All of these things have really helped me the past several years since our world has been in upheaval. And so I’m grateful for what I’m learning from the younger generation. 

WM: Has your perspective on rest also changed over the course of your career?

KC: Being from the South, there was often a feeling of: You rest when you deserve it. You have downtime once you’ve done your work. If you don’t get your work done, there is no downtime. Rest has almost been equated with laziness. What I’ve come to really understand is, it’s just like they say on the plane: You’ve got to put your own oxygen mask on first. And for years, I put everybody else’s oxygen mask on. 

I’ve been working so hard for so long because I don’t just do one thing—I’m blessed enough to be able to sing and act and be a host and make records and do Broadway and write. And I love this. But because I don’t just do one thing, I have a lot to get done and a lot of people to pay, and I take that responsibility very seriously. And then who suffers is me. 

What happened is I crashed and burned, had two seizures, and ended up in the hospital—literally from my schedule. There were a couple of other problems, but really the schedule was the big thing. When left to my own devices, I will come over to your house and sing for your next door neighbor’s cousin’s little sister’s birthday party, because I love people. But what happens is when you start giving so much of yourself out, you’ve got nothing left. And this is, I’m sure, a very common theme that comes up here. 

I’m still retraining my brain to know that I deserve to sit on my couch today with no makeup and hair and a T-shirt with no pants, and watch the news and take a beat and feel what I need to feel. I’m very empathic—like a lot of artists are—and as I’m watching the fires lately, I’m just devastated. So I’m going to do that, and it’s OK. Rest is OK. Getting a massage isn’t just a reward after you’ve done amazing things—the massage should be along the way because I have a bad neck and a bad knee. 

These are things you’ve got to do to take care of yourself, Kristin. If you don’t, you will give yourself seizures and end up in a place where you have to take three months off where nobody gets paid and you’re just resting and dealing with your own crap. So I’d like to not get there again. And since that time, I’ve been working very diligently with some tools that have helped me figure that out.

WM: Speaking of lessons learned over the last few decades, what was it like revisiting Wicked after all this time in a completely new way? How did you prepare emotionally and physically to be involved in this production and press tour? 

KC: It was amazing. I’m a part of something in my career that lasts, and not a lot of artists can say that. I’m grateful to have something attached to my name forever. And my girl [Ariana Grande] is playing the part I created, and I wanted that. And my other girl [Cynthia Erivo] is playing the other most amazing part. And then me and Idina [Menzel] are watching this go on and we’re holding each other’s hands. 

That all being said, it’s very layered for me. I’m so happy with how it is. But the very real, honest truth is: Oh my gosh, I hope they remember us. That’s a very vulnerable thing to say. Because I’m human. But at the same time, I’m evolved enough to know that part of the fun of having been here a minute is getting to watch somebody who admires and loves you want to make you proud. Just like I did in the past with people I’ve looked up to—Carol Burnett, Sandi Patty, Julie Andrews, Dolly Parton.

When you’re putting a new Broadway show together, not everything’s fun. It’s a lot of pressure. It’s very creative. It can be wonky. You’re trying things out in front of the audience that’s not buying it, and then you’ve got to change it and try something else. It was stressful. But because of the work that we all did, now they have this movie, and I’m so very proud of it. 

Some people asked, “Does it feel weird to you that you’re not the part [of Glinda]?” And I said, “I couldn’t go back, I couldn’t play that part again, so it doesn’t make me sad that I’m not playing it.” Very frankly, I thought it was a lovely gesture that they reached out to Idina and I and had us in it.  

WM: What are some tools that you lean on to help you during a particularly busy season like the one you just had? 

KC: This fall was a warning sign to me. I was getting back into some old habits that I want to avoid so I don’t have to stop for three months. One of the things I learned is that, while I’m a big prayer person, meditation is a different skill. So I do my prayer and I also do meditation, which really helps me. That’s actually a really big one. 

Obviously I’m a person that does therapy—I’m a big believer in that. As a Christian woman, you grow up hearing the only therapist you need is God. And the way I view it now is: God made these people interested in people like me to help me with my feelings, thoughts, emotions, and getting through life with the way it is. And so, yeah, He is my best friend, but therapy helps. 

I have a core group of people that are my people that understand and love me no matter what, and I rely on them. I have a very real relationship with my mom and dad. We don’t mince words. We talk for real. And that’s helpful. 

And I always go back to the music. I tell people all the time who suffer with depression or bipolar or personality stuff or just all of it: Go back to the thing that you love—whether you get paid a lot of money to do it or zero money to do it. For me, that’s music.

WM: If you could wave a wand and speak with your younger self, what advice would you give her? 

KC: Oh, there’s so many. But the main one that sticks out is that, in my job, I’ve been injured pretty severely a couple times, and rushing back to work has caused me more pain. 

[I wish I could go back and tell myself]: “A set piece nearly killed you, don’t worry about going into work with your face rearranged. You have cracked ribs, you have broken teeth, you have a skull fracture.” 

I didn’t want anyone to see fear and I didn’t want anyone to think that I wasn’t going to be on top of my game. And that’s happened a couple times throughout my career with Broadway, dancing, being on set. I’ve had some injury and it has caused me a lot of pain. I wish I could have just said: “I’m not ready to go back yet. I’m going to heal properly first.” 

WM: What advice would you give to people who are struggling to slow down and take time for themselves? 

KC: Something I’m working on now and is a constant work in progress is this: Be OK with saying no. That can mean saying no to a visit to your friend’s house at five o’clock because you don’t want to do the traffic and you’re tired, you’ve had a long day. It can be: I don’t want to take this movie because I need to be with my parents who are elderly and I need to help them move. Don’t be afraid to say no. 

I would also say find your higher power. It doesn’t have to be God. That’s just what works for me. Find your higher power and lean into it, because the only thing we can take with us is our spirit. That’s what we came on this Earth with: our spirit. 

Take care of yourself first. It’s not selfish, because then you can be the best version of you for all the people that you know and love that you want to be there for. Easier said than done, though.

And I will leave you with this one thing: For me, rescuing an animal has been the best thing. I’m looking at her now. I’m a very scared flyer and I have to fly two or three times a week. My dog knows I’m scared and knows I can have seizures sometimes and is with me. My dog can look at me and be like, I got you. When I had my first seizure at home, she would not leave my side. I would encourage, if people are in a place where they can adopt a pet, it could be—if they are prepared—one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.   

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

The post Kristin Chenoweth Is Working On Saying No appeared first on Wondermind.

Highly Recommend Link Copied 11.18.24

25 Podcasts That Feel Like Self-Care

Some are silly, some are serious, and all pair well with a good mental health walk. ByCarolyn Todd

Your podcast feed is what you make it: It can be a fountain of knowledge and learning, a steady drip of harrowing news (and stress), or an endless supply of entertaining brain candy. For many of us, our podcasts have become something unexpected and quite special: A treasured source of self-care. (Not to mention, a delightfully low-effort one: Just pop in your earbuds and feel good about taking care of yourself.)

Podcasts can fit into your self-care routine in all kinds of ways. Shows hosted by licensed psychologists, for instance, can give you trustworthy mental health insights or support the work you do in therapy sessions. “With the concepts that we learn in therapy, it can be really helpful to hear real-life stories and examples, or hear them fleshed out in long-form,” says Akua K. Boateng, PhD, an individual and couples therapist and therapeutic coach based in Philadelphia. 

There are also tons of shows that dip into the wellness space—where you can learn about meditation, connect to your spiritual side, or get practical tips for taking better care of your mind and body. 

And then there are all the pods that seem to have nothing to do with self-care (from obscure history to pop culture), but they’re so fascinating, funny, or moving that just listening to an episode feels like a potent little dose of self–care. Need a good laugh? A healthy escape? A mood boost? You can nerd out on a niche deep dive, get lost in someone’s inspiring life story, or pretend you’re hanging out with your extremely witty and well-spoken friends. 

If you feel like your podcast feed could use a refresh, you’re in luck. We asked a bunch of people (including some mental health experts) for their top self-care podcast recommendations, from the serious to the silly. Get ready to download a healthy dose of self-care.

1. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

“This is the chief podcast that I typically recommend to couples. Esther Perel is a powerhouse and an excellent communicator. She has great insights into how our individual life experiences impact our relationships—and how our relationships can be a form of caring for our inner selves. Relationships can really be a form of healing and maturation for us. And so although this podcast is not directly self-care-heavy, it is systemically self-care-heavy. Because if we are able to find growth and healing in our relationships, that’s the ultimate self-care.” —Akua K. Boateng, PhD, an individual and couples therapist and therapeutic coach based in Philadelphia

2. Normal Gossip

“As far as podcasts that bring some joy to my day, Normal Gossip actually makes me laugh out loud. It dives into strange, funny, everyday gossip about people you don’t know and will never meet. The true stories are stranger than fiction, which is what I really like about it. There are some wild things you can’t even imagine happening to you, but there’s enough reality in the stories to make them relatable. And the banter between the hosts is really engaging, like listening to gossip between your friends. It’s a nice little escape. I love listening to it when I’m going on a walk, driving, or making lunch.” —Megan F., 33

3. Re:Thinking with Adam Grant

“This one provides such a refreshing take on various topics in psychology. It covers a breadth of interesting aspects of life and allows me to nerd out. I really do like psychology, and I’m fascinated by many different aspects of the field—from navigating relationships to managing burnout. So educating myself is a form of self-care. Often the guests are famous individuals or celebrities and it’s always exciting to hear their take.” —Terri Bacow, PhD, a therapist based in New York City

4. It’s OK That You’re Not OK with Megan Devine

“Megan Devine is a therapist who’s written a book on grief and experienced it firsthand herself. She talks about a lot of different mental health topics—like anger, friendship, boundaries, complex PTSD, and self-care—in a thoughtful way that makes you want to hear more. She comes at everything from her background in grief, but she also has deep conversations with people who have expertise in the particular area she’s talking about.” —Jessi Gold, MD, psychiatrist, Chief Wellness Officer of the University of Tennessee System, and author of How Do You Feel?

5. No Stupid Questions

“Self-care can sometimes mean feeding your curiosity, and No Stupid Questions does just that! Hosted by research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of Grit) and executive Mike Maughan, this podcast explores the questions we’ve all pondered—like, when do you really become an adult, and are ultimatums ever effective? They tackle these topics in a fun, evidence-based way, using social psychology research to help us better understand ourselves and others.” —Miriam Kirmayer, PhD, a clinical psychologist and friendship expert based in Montreal

6. 10% Happier with Dan Harris

“I’ve learned a ton about mindfulness and meditation from this podcast—like some of the Buddhist traditions and ideas where these practices come from, and some of the neuroscience behind how they work. The host, Dan Harris, is a really good interviewer—he was a journalist before pivoting to the meditation world—and he does a good job of staying curious and being really human in the conversations. His guests are a good mix of meditation teachers, celebrities, psychologists, and researchers. And I love how he ties all the meditation stuff into how it can actually help you feel better in your daily life—like handling your emotions better, or navigating difficult relationships, or changing your habits.” —Brittany R., 27

7. Therapy for Black Girls

“One of the podcasts that I find to be helpful for the population that I work with is Therapy for Black Girls. Dr. Joy is absolutely amazing. Her voice is super-calming. She talks about everyday experiences that Black women and girls might experience. However, it’s also really helpful for the broad scope of women to learn how to process their own emotions and to sit in healing, and what that actually looks like.” —Akua K. Boateng, PhD, an individual and couples therapist and therapeutic coach based in Philadelphia

8. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

“Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend literally never fails to put me in a better mood. Conan is obviously well-loved, so he snags some fantastic guests. The mood of his interviews is always light, warm-hearted, and hilarious. The bit-filled banter between him and his co-hosts, Sona and Matt, has me laughing out loud while shopping for groceries on the reg. Don’t sleep on this pod, it will make your day!” —Eli T., 31

9. Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting

“This podcast is great for stressed-out moms who are interested in parenting tips and advice. As a mom myself, I really enjoy hearing from other moms and experts in the field who can ‘tell it like it is’ and provide evidence-based strategies for surviving parenthood. Hearing about various experiences other moms have had is stress relieving and a form of self-care for me as I learn so much and have my feelings and fears validated. Dr. Damour is brilliant and articulate, and I religiously follow her work.” —Terri Bacow, PhD, a therapist based in New York City

10. Song Exploder

“This is a podcast for music nerds like myself. Hrishikesh Hirway dissects hit songs to discuss their meaning and how they were recorded, and talks with the artists about their experience with the song. Listening to it helps me step out of the hassles of life and appreciate the musical genius of some of my favorite artists.” —Ryan Howes, PhD, a clinical psychologist based in Pasadena, California

11. The SelfWork Podcast with Dr. Margaret Rutherford

“Listening to this podcast is like enjoying a warm cup of tea with a wise, warm-hearted aunt. I first tuned into SelfWork during a low point in my life. Dr. Rutherford covers a range of topics related to self-awareness and self-care. Her insights have helped me realize some of my self-destructive habits, take responsibility for my self-care, and improve my ability to cope with anxiety, depression, and day-to-day life. Thanks to SelfWork, I’ve cultivated a deeper acceptance of myself and learned to love myself with greater intention and thoughtfulness.” —Hope H., 34

12. The Contemplative Science Podcast

“Blending psychology and mindfulness, this podcast, hosted by philosopher and cognitive scientist Mark Miller, PhD, explores the intersection of science and spirituality. Each episode features enlightening discussions with guests—from neuroscientists to monks—about how contemplative practices can enhance mental health and well-being. Miller’s thoughtful insights and engaging interviews provide listeners with practical tools for cultivating mindfulness and emotional resilience.” —Anna Yusim, MD, a psychiatrist, executive coach, and clinical assistant professor at Yale Medical School

13. The Rich Roll Podcast

“This entertaining podcast about wellness is so inspiring and empowering. The guests have fascinating things to share and truly interesting perspectives. They’re extremely well-versed in various topics related to self-development and self-care, whether it’s succeeding at business or the way that movement changes the brain. I’ve learned a lot of information that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I find that listening gives me good ideas and provides a good ‘escape’ from my daily routine.” —Terri Bacow, PhD, a therapist based in New York City

14. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

“The podcast is really about hearing ‘older’ and ‘wiser’ women’s stories and recognizing how much we can learn from them. What wisdom can you get from people who’ve already been through it? What from their lived experiences can you apply moving forward in your life? She has a lot of celebrity guests on, and she asks really good questions about what they felt made them successful, or what they’ve loved about their life. It feels kind of like Tuesdays with Morrie, but funnier.” —Jessi Gold, MD, psychiatrist, Chief Wellness Officer of the University of Tennessee System, and author of How Do You Feel?

15. Stuff You Should Know

“The night I first listened to Stuff You Should Know, I was going through serious alcohol withdrawal after a few years of daily drinking, plus untreated depression and anxiety. I’ve been sober for six years now, and I still rely on this podcast for times when my brain just won’t slow down. When I’m listening, I can get outside of my own head and feel as if I’m hanging out with the hosts, Josh and Chuck, while they exchange dad jokes and dive into a variety of topics—from ‘How Soil Works’ to ‘How Money Laundering Works.’ I’m able to both shift my focus away from whatever is on my mind, and learn some interesting facts along the way.” —Carolyn S., 28

16. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

“I work with a lot of folks who are ambitious. Diary of a CEO offers a lot of insight into how these types of people are overcoming challenges, as well as how they’re using that in their everyday service. Sometimes we may not see the intersection of ambition and emotional wellness—meaning, How can I be an ambitious person and, at the same time, have a good sense of emotional wellness in my life? It is possible, and I think Diary of a CEO does a great job exploring that. It is really emotional, candid, and poignant.” —Akua K. Boateng, PhD, an individual and couples therapist and therapeutic coach based in Philadelphia

17. Good Inside with Dr. Becky

“If you’re a parent, Dr. Becky Kennedy probably needs no introduction. On Good Inside, she’s not just helping a new generation of parents raise emotionally healthy children—she’s encouraging all of us to strengthen our self-understanding and self-compassion, which is especially helpful for those of us who feel things deeply. It’s a comforting and insightful listen, whether you’re raising kids now or happen to be one once upon a time.” —Miriam Kirmayer, PhD, a clinical psychologist and friendship expert based in Montreal

18. Office Ladies

“I am a huge television geek—watching TV, for me, is a balm and an escape. One of my favorite things to do is to read recaps after watching certain shows, and this podcast takes a deep dive into one of my all-time favorites: The Office. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey have an amazing rapport and each episode is a joy to listen to. Entertainment is a major form of self-care for me, and I love getting lost in the nitty-gritty details of how shows get made and the ‘behind the scenes’ intel that I didn’t know about the cast and characters.” —Terri Bacow, PhD, a therapist based in New York City

19. Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch

“This is hosted by two therapists and advice columnists who do real therapy sessions with people in each episode. It covers a lot of experiences in the relationship space and really makes mental health relatable. I find that folks who are able to translate some of these heavy psychological concepts into everyday experiences are the ones that people gravitate to and are really finding help in.” —Akua Boateng, PhD, an individual and couples therapist and therapeutic coach based in Philadelphia

20. Hey Riddle Riddle

“This is probably my most listened-to podcast—I must have listened to the whole show a dozen times or more. It has never, ever failed to bring a smile to my face, if not make me actually laugh out loud. Starring three improv comedians who met on the Chicago comedy scene, HRR presents itself as the hosts attempting to solve riddles, puzzles, and lateral thinking problems—and they do some of that. But there’s also a lot of hilarity—jokes, bits, impressions, scenes. And the hosts aren’t afraid to talk about their own lives and struggles either. No matter how bad things have been or how down I feel, I can always put on an episode, smile, and get a little reminder that other people are going through the same things as me, and that it’s OK to laugh. I put it on to escape, to relax, to pick myself up—and I always feel better afterwards.” —Stephen E., 43

21. Astrology of the Week Ahead with Chani Nicholas 

“This podcast is a short and sweet forecast for the week where Chani explains what’s happening in the sky and how it might impact you on a personal or collective level. I’ve started making it a weekly ritual to listen to this while I shower and get ready every Monday morning, which is a great little self-care moment and soothing pep-talk before diving into my week.” —Casey Gueren, VP, Head of Content at Wondermind

22. We Can Do Hard Things

“Writer Glennon Doyle’s empowering podcast is a celebration of vulnerability and resilience. Through heartfelt conversations with guests ranging from celebrities to everyday heroes, Doyle inspires listeners to embrace their challenges and pursue their authentic selves. The warmth and authenticity of the discussions create a comforting space for self-exploration and personal growth. Listening to this podcast feels like an uplifting hug for the soul.” —Anna Yusim, MD, a psychiatrist, executive coach, and clinical assistant professor at Yale Medical School

23. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

“The Happiness Lab first caught my attention thanks to Dr. Santos’ course The Science of Well-Being, which went viral during her time at Yale University and is now freely available online. The Happiness Lab offers evidence-based strategies and practical advice designed to enhance happiness in everyday life. While not every tip may resonate with everyone—it’s a journey to discover what works for you—the process is rewarding and often enjoyable. Personally, I’ve gained a profound perspective about the mysteries of the mind from this podcast, and I’ve become a lot more receptive to trying new tools to generate more joy in my daily life.” —Hope H., 34

24. Hidden Brain

“Science journalist Shankar Vedantam will talk to researchers in psychology or neuroscience or whatnot, and have them tell the story that their research tells. Rather than carving it into little soundbites saying ‘This is bad’ and ‘That’s good,’ he lets his guests explain the fascinating nuances and subtleties in the research. So it’s really science-driven—it’s not pop psychology. But it’s also very accessible, and he comes to concrete conclusions that you can take away for everyday life. Vedantam carries the conversation along beautifully, and his voice is very soothing. I love listening to this on long drives, on flights, and on the treadmill. The hour goes quickly for me.” —Cheryl Chase, PhD, a clinical psychologist and speaker based in Independence, Ohio

25. Tarot for the Wild Soul with Lindsay Mack 

“This podcast is basically Tarot 101 for people interested in that practice, but the host Lindsay Mack also does a month ahead episode, called Monthly Medicine, for the listeners. It’s kind of like a horoscope reading for the month—but with tarot cards. In these episodes, she sums up the vibes of the upcoming month. She also pulls cards for advice on how to mentally and emotionally handle all that. She’s not a therapist, but listening to her very soothing voice and practical guidance is a treat I always look forward to. It feels like a soothing little pep talk full of helpful reminders.” —Ashley Oerman, Deputy Editor at Wondermind 

The post 25 Podcasts That Feel Like Self-Care appeared first on Wondermind.

Stories Link Copied 09.19.24

30 Feel-Good Movies People Swear By For Your Next Bad Day

Sure, therapy is great. But have you seen "The Princess Bride?" ByAnna Borges

While I’ve got plenty of coping skills up my sleeve, I can’t lie: Some days call for the undeniable comfort only my favorite feel-good movies can bring. Don’t get me wrong—comfort shows can get the job, too. But unlike hyper-bingeable TV episodes that can suck me into a day of bed rotting, films provide a more contained escape. With feel-good movies especially, I’m usually gonna get a full emotional arc and a happy ending in just a few hours—exactly what I need to feel like I’ve hit a reset button on my mood instead of the snooze on reality.

Of course, we’ve all got different definitions of “feel-good movies.” For some, it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy that leaves you feeling lighter; for others, it might be an inspiring story of triumph that makes your chest just swell. Or maybe your idea of a cozy flick is a rom-com you can quote by heart, or even a tear-jerker that leads to all the catharsis. 

Whatever your flavor and whatever you’re dealing with, the best feel-good movies are the ones that speak to you personally, offering just the right kind of relief when you need it most. In other words, you’ll know it when you watch—and feel—it. Not sure where to start? Here’s a huge list of recs that other people swear by when they need a pick-me-up: 

1. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

“To understand the allure of The Devil Wears Prada, look no further than Anne Hathaway’s makeover scene. No matter how many times I see the movie, I’m mesmerized by the montage of all of the outfits, the triumph over the mean girls, and the glory of the Chanel Boots. And to make matters better, what spurs this whole situation is when Hathaway’s character gets chewed out by the oft-memed cerulean speech by Meryl Streep.” —Amanda S., 28

2. The Bob’s Burgers Movie (2022)

“A family full of weirdos get wrapped up in a murder plot and try to solve it themselves with hilariously catchy songs?? It’s good for the soul. It’s peak comedy and I could watch it for hours on end.” —Cass R., 36

3. The Princess Bride (1987)

“It has everything I need when I’m Going Through It™️: fairytale romance, adventure, found family, and so much silliness and joy.” —Isabel R., 29

4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

“Sometimes you just need to laugh and I’m convinced Forgetting Sarah Marshall can make anyone laugh out loud. On the surface, it’s about a difficult breakup but it’s really about someone finding themselves and realizing that they can both work on becoming a better person while also pursuing their dreams. You’ll come away from it with a smile on your face and this feeling of satisfaction. Plus the one-liners are endlessly quotable—you’ll be chuckling to yourself for days to come!” —Vanessa D., 34 

5. The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

“It’s a cartoon that upends the self-serious signifiers of the superhero genre to tell a hero’s journey story about finally letting other people love you.” —Tyson B., 29 

6. Mamma Mia (2008)

“It is a silly goofy movie with good music and a happy ending. Nothing too serious about it, just a lighthearted fun film to ease the burden for a while.” —Suzza S., 43 

7. Miss Pettigrew Lives For The Day (2008)

“This movie has everything: Frances McDormand getting a 1940s makeover, Amy Adams in beautiful gowns, Lee Pace as a pianist just out of prison, and Ciaran Hinds as a sensitive lingerie designer. It’s sad enough to allow you a good cry if you need one, silly enough to remind you not to take yourself too seriously, and sweet enough to leave you feeling like you’re floating on a cloud. A movie made in a lab to be watched when you have a cold or just got dumped.” —Morgan L., 31 

8. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

“Totoro was one of like ten VHSs we had growing up so it got a lot of babysitter-night replay. The sibling dynamic reminds my sister and me of us, there’s drama but it’s small and contained, and everyone and everything is cute and magical. And the dust bunnies are adorable. The cat bus is so cool.” —Benji W., 32 

9. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003)

“So the trick is, you gotta do all three extended editions for maximum ‘putting brain on rice’ time. The whole thing is about finding light in the dark—there are so many brilliant moments of hope and friendship. Look to the east? Beacons of Gondor? Everyone jumping on Frodo’s bed at the end? Unbeatable. Plus if all else fails, there’s Viggo Mortensen pushin’ them doors open.” —Christina O., 35

10. Dazed and Confused (1993)

“Just feels like hanging with your brain buds.” —Kevin H., 28

11. Paddington 2 (2017)

“Obviously Paddington Bear is extremely wholesome, and the first movie is a delight, but there’s something about Hugh Grant in his campy villain era that adds an extra sparkle to help me forget whatever it is that I’m going through. It also provides such a beautiful found family narrative and the ending always manages to wrench a good cathartic happy cry out of me.” —Mary H., 33

12. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

“Two completely neurotic people talk themselves into love. It silences the mean movies in my head.” —Karin P., 30

13. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

“For me, a feel-good movie needs to be beautiful, and Robin Hood clears that bar: everyone is gorgeous, the costumes are breathtaking, and the technicolor is so saturated that you feel like you’re in a different, more romantic world. The brotherhood between Robin Hood and his men is so lived-in and affectionate, and the love story is somehow both swooning and true. And in the end, all is made right. It makes my heart sing a little louder every time, no matter what I’m going through.” —Emily S., 34

14. Imagine Me & You (2005)

“It’s gay and it’s got Lena Headey in it. Need I say more?” —Meryl W., 34

15. Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

“In addition to being a criminally underrated comedy, Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar has heart. There’s a simple enough premise: Two seemingly unremarkable women are bored with the monotony of everyday life and take a trip to try and change that. Of course, it’s amped up by a wacky villain and spy subplot, but really, it’s a movie about the magic of friendship. Barb and Star just get each other. Their mannerisms, their inside jokes, their culottes; every interaction feels like watching two people who are meant to be together. Their warmth radiates and leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy. And when I’m really Going Through It, I can just sit and laugh at the haircuts and musical numbers and endless jokes. It’s a perfect film.” —Kate M., 25 

16. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015)

“Literally no dialogue, so it keeps me off my phone. Extremely cute and heartwarming.” —Steven J., 35

17. Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)

“Women! Found family! Genuinely––and I mean this with utmost sincerity––heartwarming! A perfect cast and one of the tightest, most satisfying scripts I’ve seen. Delightful production design and effects. Awesome soundtrack. Everyone involved understands the assignment, and most importantly: everything that happens makes me giggle and kick my feet in sheer glee.” —Hannah P., 33

18. The Wedding Singer (1998)

“It’s light and sweet and funny and the music (original and sourced) is good! It feels like a Saturday afternoon.” —Josie R., 45

19. Stick It! (2006)

“Our heroine is also Going Through It (teen angst, sports angst, her parents splitting up) but she makes it through with the help of a stellar mostly-2000s-pop-punk soundtrack, her own determination (and sarcasm), and the tough-love guidance of father figure/coach Jeff Bridges. And then, in the end, the athletes all come together not to fight each other but to fight the broken system! It kicks ass and I cry 100% of the time when the gymnasts all stick up for their wronged teammate as Blink 182’s ‘Anthem Part II’ kicks in.” —Emily J., 34

20. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

“Low stakes, nothing bad or stressful happens, all about self-empowerment, and a great soundtrack to nap to.” —Kelsey S., 34

21. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

“It’s a movie that feels so warm and comforting to me. It’s well-executed with amazing performances all around, a banger of a soundtrack, and THE aesthetic that everyone associates with Wes Anderson. It’s that beautiful measure of funny, sweet, sad, full of grief, and goofy without ever getting too saccharine. It’s the movie I go to whenever I feel really deep in depression, which I’m realizing is ironic given, uh, that one scene featuring a suicide attempt, but even then…I don’t know, there’s a comfort to seeing that happen and seeing how things still work out better. I will always tear up at the end when Chas says, ‘I’ve had a really rough year, Dad.’ And Royal says, ‘I know, Chas.’” —Alvin P., 36

22. Erin Brockovich (2000)

“I love a good paperwork movie, the outfits are spectacular, all the bad guys are humiliated in fun quotable ways, Julia Roberts is luminous, and the evil polluting corporation has to pay in the end.” —Rachel B., 26

23. Chef (2014)

“Food. Jon Favreau blowing a gasket over molten lava cake. Adorable kid. The making of a pasta dish being treated as a sensual scene.” —Claire K., 31

24. Gosford Park (2001)

“The soundtrack’s piano is soothing and everything feels cozy. Yes, there’s technically a murder but there’s also a dotty detective and very smart women and Maggie Smith being as Maggie Smith as she pleases! Plus the dog gets a happy ending and we always root for that.” —Gina H., 39

25. Moonstruck (1987)

“This movie is so absurd and yet fills me with such love. It’s written as an opera, with all of the drama, but without the singing. It’s young Cher and Nic Cage, and filled with people making bad choices and truly wild proclamations. Something about it always reminds me how much I love being alive. I once heard someone describe it as their cure for when they’re feeling misanthropic and I think that really is true for me.” —Spencer H., 28

26. They Came Together (2014)

“It is a deeply silly movie with about a thousand jokes throughout.  It’s so comforting to watch a comedy that is actually laugh-out-loud funny and charming.” —Brian M., 46

27. To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

“Listen, you can’t really go wrong with Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo channeling true fabulousness in some incredible 90s fashions. Patrick Swayze especially gives a really beautiful and sensitive performance that I just love and is a big reason why I come back to it again and again. It’s a comedy with a lot of sweetness and a lot of bite, and it features all the good hallmarks of a feel-good movie—a fun soundtrack, dance numbers, a great makeover montage, a classic ‘town coming together’ plot, a Robin Williams cameo, and Stockard Channing. It never fails to make me smile.” —Carolyn A., 30

28. Obvious Child (2014)

“It tackles a difficult subject with such warmth and humor that it makes things seem hopeful. It reminds me that while life is messy, it’s our relationships that buoy us and can create beautiful moments even in darkness.” —Jen S., 35

29. Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)

“There aren’t that many movies where a queer protagonist gets to leave the film with their dignity intact. Melissa McCarthy as Lee Israel remains delightfully unrepentant an asshole to the very end amidst a sea of buffoons. This is also a New York In Winter film, a love letter to a time, place, and climate that can no longer exist.” —Marne L., 38

30. Despicable Me 2 (2013)

“I’m almost 50 and just think it’s cute, quotable, silly, and fun.” —Jesus A., 48

The post 30 Feel-Good Movies People Swear By For Your Next Bad Day appeared first on Wondermind.

Q&A Link Copied 06.06.24

Gavin Rossdale Is Big Into Self-Love

The Bush frontman talks about loneliness on tour, communicating his feelings, and how he approaches parenting. ByShannon Barbour

Thirty years after Bush’s debut, the band’s frontman Gavin Rossdale is feeling better than ever and is gearing up to release even more music centered on mental health and connection with a new album. “My proudest quality of the work we’ve done in Bush is to have songs that give people literal refuges, like life rafts in a storm,” he tells Wondermind before kicking off Bush’s summer tour on June 1. 

Rossdale is an open book, previously sharing how he overcame substance misuse, remorse around his divorce from Gwen Stefani, and how his childhood sticks with him today. Here, he continues to destigmatize mental health and talks about communicating his feelings, the loneliness and guilt that comes with touring, how he checks in with his children, and more. 

WM: How are you doing lately? 

Gavin Rossdale: My mental health is always fluid, and having just more or less completed the writing of our next record, I feel really good because there’s a great sigh of relief when it’s a big mountain. It’s a big mountain, making a record. … You’re like, God damn, I pulled it out again. I may not do another one. Maybe I forget how to write songs, but I got this far. So, I feel good. 

And my kids have been here for the last 10 days. We had a great dinner with ’em last night, and they all leave for school in the morning. … My eldest drives them, and that just fills my heart with love and appreciation. So when I shut the door this morning, I had a pep in my step.

WM: You also have a tour coming up. How are you feeling as you’re getting ready for those first shows?

GR: I’m super excited to begin a big tour this summer, and we’ve worked really hard at that. … I just feel proud of what we’ve achieved. This is basically a celebration. I never wanted to do a greatest hits. I always thought that was like a swan song. I was like, “But I don’t want to leave the party.” And I don’t know why I was thinking that because it’s nonsense. You can have a greatest hits and just keep going. … [It’s] moving to see the effect the music we’ve made has had on people for so long. … I believe in humility, but it has been powerful to recognize the power that music has had on people. It’s OK to do that. 

WM: What does your mental health and self-care routine look like these days when you go on tour?

GR: I practice a huge degree of self-love at the moment. I am a maniac. I play a lot of tennis, four times a week, and it’s quite competitive, quite strong. Then I come back and I sit in my infrared, and I sit in the ice bath because I’m a sucker for what’s going on at the zeitgeist. … It’s so harsh, but it’s the most extreme form of self-love because I know that that’s really doing me a world of good and stops me walking around like I’m 70 years old. 

If you go to the gym, if you go sit in the steam room, if you go sit in an ice bath, if you walk around a park, if you run around a park—I didn’t used to think of it like this, but I came to realize that these are forms of self-love because what you’re doing is you’re giving yourself what you need to feel good. 

On tour, the self-love will be just taking that time to connect with my friends. I can get lonely during the day. Daytime you spend going, What am I doing? I feel super guilty being away from my kids. I will be away from them for like five weeks. So it’s very painful for me to think of them and think, Oh, I’m not there. And what are they going through? How do they feel? How’s their day? What’s troubling them? It’s hard if you’re not physically with ’em. So some days I walk around feeling a little bit melancholic, thinking, I don’t know. Can I do this? This is not right. 

And then at night, I get the crowd, and the crowd’s great, and I go, I love this. This is why I’m here! And I’m up till four going, This is a great life! The next day I’m like, Oh my God, what am I going to do? I’ve got to get back. It’s a bit of a roller coaster. Mental health is a roller coaster, isn’t it? Some days you feel good, some days you feel challenged, and I think that life is really challenging.

I think that mental health is just the cornerstone of everything because, God, we’ve just toiled through. I’m from England, sort of stiff upper lip. Everybody’s not meant to say how you feel, not meant to talk about your emotions and stuff. And yet we have the highest suicide rates ever. It’s just terrible. 

My whole working life is about how to write songs that are really vulnerable, but not in an annoying, self-pitying way like, Oh, well woe is me. What’s going to happen? I try and be as honest and as vulnerable as I can, but through a position of strength. I’m a patriarch. I’ve got dependents. I can’t be wandering around like a sad cloud. But at the same time, my mental health is really important. So that’s been my life’s work really is to write songs that people can relate to. 

It’s funny because when you first start out, you don’t necessarily have a goal about that stuff. You just sort of write what comes to you. And I was like, Oh, I emotionally complain a lot in my songs. You know, This and that is bothering me. “Everything Zen” was the very first single. That is a complete mental health song. I’ve always been attuned to that because I care. I care about my friends, I care about my family, and I care about myself. 

Communicating your troubles has worked for me. “Oh, this is really bothering me!” I always feel much better about that. … It’s so much about communication, isn’t it? And about being honest with yourself and saying what’s bothering you and why. People, we’re so complex. It’s funny. We’re annoying. We’re very complex animals.

WM: Talking to people can be such a beneficial thing, but it’s also so hard. And when we don’t share, we can feel so lonely, and we’re in a loneliness epidemic now.  

GR: As a society, this discussion of mental health has been incredible. I mean, suicide rates are just insane. It makes no sense the number of daily suicides. It’s a tragedy. But when you think about it, it’s like it began from the Industrial Age. Not to go too far into it, but just the whole thing about how we’ve prioritized money and status over happiness. … The world is never going to change. It’s a capitalist, go-get society. But I think the more that people discuss mental health, [the more it helps]. 

The pandemic shone a light on that because it really ramped up the loneliness factor. … I’m a lone wolf, so I was fine, but I have friends who were losing their minds by being alone. They were really weepy and tearful. I couldn’t relate to that, but that’s because my journey was different. My friend’s journey was like, “I just need to talk to someone.” And they just need to connect. 

In a way, that’s what’s happening now. People are just so worried… because everything’s so expensive. It’s so hard. People have to work a number of jobs to make end’s meet. And then it’s like, “Care about your mental health.” But I’ve got my rent, and I’ve got student loans. What am I supposed to do? There’s stress.

WM: And then when you’re done with work and everything, sometimes the last thing you want to do is be social and connect with people. 

GR: It’s really, really difficult. The weird thing is that with Instagram and the more people share their lives, the less they need to have actual interaction. It’s antisocial media, really. It’s like, “Oh, hey, look, I’m doing A, B and C. I’ve got a great…” So if either people have FOMO or go, “I don’t get that. How come I don’t go out for dinners like that? How come I don’t live that life?” It’s really confusing for people. Then you add in the bullying. It’s treacherous terrain for mental health at all times.

WM: As a father, how do you feel about raising kids and teenagers today, and how do you talk to them about mental health?

GR: The power of language. The power of communication. It really comes down to understanding who your kids are. … I get the opportunity, with three young kids in my house, to experience three way different characters. I get to learn how to best communicate with each one in separate ways. … Some of my kids more outwardly wear their emotions on their sleeve. You see when they come in, what they may or may not be upset or happy about [or if they feel] elevated or reduced. And then maybe I have another kid who you can’t tell what’s going on, and you have to scratch the surface and just dig and ask and dig and ask.

I ask all the time, “Do you feel safe? Do you feel loved?” … It’s such a good thing to check in. “Do you feel cared for? Do you feel loved? Do you feel it?” That’s much better than “I love you” because I don’t know if they can hear that. But they have to tell you if they feel loved. Then you know that you are being heard. 

Especially with kids, love is the time you spend with them. Love is how present you are. Not, “Hey, I won’t be home for a few days, but there’s a baby Escalade in the driveway. It’s all charged up. You can drive it around.”… That’s my only weapon to fend off all these things [and] my kids experiencing all these terrible things, which they will experience. You cannot go through life without being melancholic or lost or lonely. [It’s] ridiculous to think. You’d have to have a lobotomy to not feel those things. It’s part of being alive. But if they can feel love, they can feel my support, they can feel my presence, that’s a strong kind of scaffolding behind them.

WM: What message would you like to leave with readers?

GR: It’s important to know that part of life is struggling, and you can’t expect a life that does not have struggle. But everything is fixable, and it’s only through truthful communication. It starts with yourself, by the way, that you can get to a better place. The more truthful you are about how you feel, the more vulnerable you are in terms of your needs, people can understand what they’re not doing for you and how you’re not being helped. It’s really about advocating for yourself, communicating. 

Bad things happen to us all, and it really is a case of: Do you get wounded by that or do you get wise? If you can get wisdom and you can learn to not take things personally and to communicate, you put yourself in the best position to be as mentally healthy as possible.

WM: That is such an important reminder that the struggles are inevitable, but we can work through them. 

GR: The biggest irony is it’s often when people are at their public most successful, they quite often can be at their personal most challenged. I don’t want people to think that because they see other people living their best lives that they’re not struggling too. There’s just no chance. Unless you are just literally a moron, you just will be challenged. … The challenges are just part of the fabric of life, and they’re OK, and you can learn from them.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

The post Gavin Rossdale Is Big Into Self-Love appeared first on Wondermind.

Q&A Link Copied 05.16.24

Bailee Madison Gets Candid About Her Mental Health While Filming ‘PLL’

“Adulthood really just slaps you in the face.” ByShannon Barbour

Bailee Madison has spent basically her entire childhood entertaining us, from starring in Just Go With It and Bridge to Terabithia to Wizards of Waverly Place and The Fosters. As an adult, she’s released music and has officially rebooted the Pretty Little Liars universe, with the summer school-themed Season 2 currently dropping on Max every Thursday through June 20. “Imogen had a lot of trauma last season, bless her heart. There’s a lot of healing that still needs to be done,” Madison tells Wondermind of her character, who will have a little identity crisis this season.

But how much do you really know about Madison as a person, when she’s not on screen or talking about her roles? Here, Madison shares how filming PLL has impacted her mental health, what helps her feel grounded, and what she’d tell her kid self trying to navigate the industry. 

WM: How are you doing lately? 

Bailee Madison: I’m doing good today. In the last five days, I’ve started doing breathwork in the morning before I get out of bed, which is something I’ve always wanted to do but have really struggled with because I find it really hard to be still and quite simply to breathe. I hold a lot in my chest and in my throat sometimes, so I’m trying to release that a bit more and just be still before I start my day. 

My mental health is a work in progress, as I think all of ours is. I think I’m way more intentional now with trying to recognize it and then also take care of it and give grace. … It’s constantly going to change, and my mind and my heart and my body are going to need new things as I continue to grow. 

WM: Have you noticed a difference since trying your breathwork?

BM: I actually feel more still and balanced. When I say five days ago, I was literally in New York for press, which is always so exciting but such a weird shift in who you are as a person. You go from being in your house with your dog to then outside with a bunch of strangers, and you’re all glammed up and almost have this weird alter ego or identity crisis that you’re constantly working through. 

I love nerves. I still get nervous with everything that I do, but sometimes nerves can transfer into fear. That’s the thing that I don’t want to be in my body. So I feel like it’s helped me enter the day a bit more balanced. Even in workout classes in the past, I’ve been told, “You don’t breathe.” … So I think it’s a step in the right direction.

WM: You have a new season of PLL coming out, and there are some heavy themes throughout the show. When you film tough scenes or explore your character’s trauma and healing, what is that like for you as a person portraying these emotions and experiences?

BM: I definitely think I hold it in my body a bit. I find myself to be a slightly emotional person who can hold onto other people’s energies and emotions. So for 19 hours a day, for nine months at a time, if you’re playing someone who even within the joy still has those cuts inside—just like every human does—it’s something that I’m cautious or thoughtful of even if it’s not on the page or necessarily calling for it.

I was a lot more mindful this season of taking care of my mental health. Last season really put me through the ringer. I remember flying back from filming and my sister looked at me and was like, “You are 20% Bailey. I feel like you are still so deep into that world.”

I usually will do my best to get outside. I think that fresh air is a really important thing for me. Just trying to make the effort to feel the wind and ground myself and see the earth and be intentional with the fact that life is so precious too. 

Faith is [also] a really big part of my life. I found this little church up the street, and I would try to go whenever I could on Sundays and bring the cast members who wanted to come. 

And then distance is definitely a thing that plays into it. So on top of being emotionally attached to a character, you’re then also going home to somewhere that isn’t actually your home, and no one’s really there to ground you or see you. That can sometimes be the most isolating part of filming. You’re around a thousand crew members, and then you walk into your home at night and it’s just kind of silent. That can play with my head. FaceTiming with my nieces or my sister, just anything to kind of grasp onto the reality that I know, I find to be really helpful.

We were filming in the summer [this time], and I noticed that made such a difference because we’d go watch the sunset at the park, we’d go get ice cream,  and my dog was with me. That was amazing. It’s the little things that make the impossible seem a bit more possible. You just have to try to give yourself just those baby steps forward the best that you can.

WM: In January you released a song, “Kinda Fun,”which was inspired by your childhood. Do you mind sharing a little bit more about your relationship with music and what songs or artists feel like therapy to you? 

BM: I grew up on country music, but specifically always had worship music going on, and those are the songs that I will turn to. There’s this one song that’s six minutes long, and it’s called “Build My Life” by Housefires, and that’s my shower song. Some mornings when I’m like, I got to go to work. I might need a quick cry. I’m going to just put this song on and listen to it. And I always feel really grounded. It’s those kinds of songs that I’ll actually listen to before a scene just to try to ground myself and access my emotions. 

I think it’s a really vulnerable experience for artists to put themselves out there. I have wanted to do music because I’ve played characters my whole life, and then I’ve only really had a few slivers of chances and interviews to show who I am and not necessarily what the character is. Whereas with music, most of the time artists are most authentically themselves and they’re healing through their own experiences, through words, and through songwriting. That’s something that I’m constantly searching for: How do I let my soul and myself be seen in the best way and in return have that also take some weight off of my shoulders? 

WM: When did you first start to learn about mental health, and have there been any time periods that have stood out to you in this journey?

BM: I would say the conversation probably started during the first season of the show. We were in Covid times, and we weren’t allowed to have any visitors, and we were filming upstate and very much in the middle of nowhere. … I remember having this moment of: I’m doing a show that has always been a dream of mine, and I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m also the lowest I’ve ever been. I didn’t necessarily know what to do with that. I always try, I think, to find the joy and the positivity in everything, so it deeply upsets me if I feel like I’m more of a shell of a human. I think I had to start having those conversations on what made sense. From that point on, at my lowest, I was like, OK, we’ve got to start. And with that came a lot of reflection. 

I mean, there were times in my younger life on sets where things would happen, in family dynamics when I was eight or 11, or things that people say all the time in your childhood. You can say your childhood without disrespecting your childhood, I think. I had to understand that I could acknowledge things that might have dented me a bit and understand that there’s beauty within that but still allow myself to be like, Oh, that’s something that’s not healed yet. That’s something that’s open that I might be taking with me that might be triggered by something. 

The last few months, I think I’ve just been working on using my voice a bit more, talking through it, and not being so upset if I’m having an off day. … It’s a work in progress. I feel like I’m kind of at the edge of the cliff where things are about to start making a bit more sense. It’s been a lot of tough questions, a lot of insecurities that come up, a lot of personal things, and a lot of growth. But I actually hold a lot of gratitude now for the uncomfortableness and for the quiet times or the isolating times. … I think I am the definition of a work in progress at the moment, but I am grateful to be doing the work and to have allowed myself to do it because that in itself was a step that I wasn’t really sure that I was taking when I chose to take it.

WM: If you could give your younger self some advice, what would you say, and which version of yourself would you be talking to?

BM: I’d probably pick my 11-year-old self. There was a situation that happened when I was 11 that really just cut really deep. It made me question my faith at the time. It made me want to quit the industry at the time. The thing that I loved the most, it made me… I was really, really, really low. And I had just come off of, from 6 to 11, the most blessed little life of experiences. 

I would probably say to her that it’s not her responsibility, first of all, but that I appreciate how much she cares about the people around her and how much she wants to give that love back. A person cannot define your success or where you’re going—only you can. … You’re about to embark on a journey that’s fulfilling but is going to be heavy and confusing at times. Give yourself the best grace that you can. Know that the thing that you love will always be there, it’s just going to be in different formulas in your life now. 

And don’t start the self-talk that maybe you’re not good enough. Looking back, 11 on was maybe subconsciously when I started to be highly aware of the industry that I’m in and be highly aware of people’s opinions. And then I had to go through my tweens with that and then my teenage years, and now I’m in my 20s. I just feel like there’s an innocence that starts to be stripped away more and more. I would encourage her to really hold on tight to the child bravery that she had and the belief in herself. That’s something that I’m really doing my hardest to bring back into my life right now, because I think life can dent you. When you’re a kid, I don’t know. There’s this belief that things will be better and that you can be anything that you want to be and do anything that you want. And then adulthood really just slaps you in the face. So I want to carry her a bit more with me. 

WM: What message would you like to leave with readers?

BM: I hope that they love the show. I hope that it brings them a lot of joy. I will say we, as a cast, love doing the show. I think we’re all in our early adulthood years, and the sisterhood that I’ve never had the pleasure to have before, I can actually have on this show. [I’m grateful] for reasons of me being a fan of the show itself, but then also selfish reasons of this is actually such a good thing for my soul and for my growth.

I do just want to say to unplug the best that you can. If you catch yourself scrolling and you’re already aware of the fact that you’re probably not in the best space that day, you really have to put it down the best that you can. … I’m a big fan of giving yourself grace and being like, You know what? I’m going to lay in bed all day. Just make sure that you do feel the air on you just a little bit. It’s the little things, like getting out of bed, sitting outside. If that’s all that you do, if that is your win, then you are winning so hard. 

Reach out to people. Never let yourself get to a point where alone feels like something that you can’t get out of. There are people around you who do love you, even if it’s one person. There’s a stranger out there who actually is willing to extend a hand and walk you through it. I send all my love and the most understanding that I possibly could because we’re all on a journey and our own chapter of life. … Big hugs, and just keep trying. You owe it to yourself. 

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

The post Bailee Madison Gets Candid About Her Mental Health While Filming ‘PLL’ appeared first on Wondermind.