Between the private island getaways and 30-car garages, it can be hard to imagine the glamorous lives of the celebrities we follow are anything but pure bliss.
And while we’ve seen a few COVID-inspired attempts at being ‘relatable’ fall short (Madonna dancing around her golden bathroom or Ellen Degeneres comparing her million-dollar mansion to being trapped in a prison), there have been a few valuable stress-handling tips from stars who have opened up about their own mental health battles.
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The latest advice comes from supermodel, Gisele Bundchen, who took to her Instagram to talk about the impact of COVID-19 and her own 20-year-long battle with anxiety, which has since taken a positive turning point after she made the decision not to suffer in silence.
Image credit: @gisele
And while Gisele admits waves of anxiety still arise, she has found particular tools and techniques that “help break us out of our vicious cycle of worry”.
Crediting yoga, conscious breathing, specialists, and time with friends and family as game-changers in keeping her mind calm, there is one other coping technique in particular that she considers her stress relieving go-to.
Speaking to mindbodygreen, Gisele recounts how meditation has helped to navigate her way through some of her toughest battles to date, “meditation is the gift I give myself every day, and I will always be grateful for its powerful, positive influence”.
Image credit: @gisele
Adding, “I credit meditation with helping transform one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced into one of the biggest gifts.”
During one of the most challenging and uncertain times the world has ever faced at once, Gisele wraps up her Instagram post with a message of reassurance, writing, “life is our greatest gift and every day is worth it”.
Main image credit: @gisele
How do you deal with anxiety and stress? Have you tried meditation?
Cute pic with her dog. I don’t meditate but exercise helps me, I just walk a lot. Helps clear my mind.
Such good advice Gisele Bundchen, does have it all but we all need time to retreat and spend sometime on refreshing and revitalising ourselves, with such stressful times.
Beautiful images! Yes, same…
I’ve don’t use meditation. I find that walking helps me clear my mind when I’m feeling stressed.
I worry at lot too. Have tried meditation and exercise. Both help.
I find that exercising helps me a lot when I’ve got a lot of anxiety.
A good night’s sleep usually helps me deal with worries. A new day often gives me a more positive perspective.
I do use meditation, it helps so much with stress and anxiety.
I like the dog
I totally agree meditation/yoga can do wonders. although how i wish i could meditate like her in the wood 🙁
I think generally I am a very calm person. It take a lot to get me seriously worried and stressed out. I can feel concern over a situation but not be stressed. Covid concerns me but here in QLD we have been very lucky and for all the people that its angered I think the border closures have paid off even though it means my daughters cant visit me and maybe wont be able to visit by Christmas….it is what it is.
I dont mind being alone. I find my alone time is when I recharge and also when I escape into a book. From that angle covid has worked in my favour.
I love that pic too!! I agree that walking helps relax and take the stresses of the world away but I like to do it in rural areas so I drive to where the horses and cows are! I find that swimming a good Km also helps me escape as I focus on my strokes, counting the laps down and thinking of each of my daughters as I get to their age in the lap that I’m swimming! (As they get older I’m doing more and more laps! 22 is the oldest atm so I’ve been swimming over a km to get to her age!)
super gorgeous! xo
When I awoke just yesterday I also felt the ‘everyday is a gift’ notion waft over me and it really did make my morning extra special. Loved this article and her dog!
walking really helps for me and my bub. we are grateful the govt are doing their best to protect all of us even if it means curfew and lockdown here in Melb. Stay safe everyone!
I really want to start meditation too, so many people claim it helps them
I find exercise really beneficial for anxiety and stress
Meditation is amazing! Everyone should try it!
I think a dog is a great gift of nature and it is so calming to hug one which wants to spend time with you. So that has got to help. Meditation is great as well as it also has a calming effect.
Walking in nature helps me tremendously! The more green the better. The more thoughts I have swirling around my head the more anxious I become. Walking and running helps mute those inner thoughts.
hehe, keyword in relation to aggressive ‘wants to spend time with you’. I don’t see aggressive dogs as dogs that want to spend time with you. But you are right hyper is something else, maybe when they are sleeping??? 😛
Yes One gift that COVID has given me is discovering Meditation. I was in a bad state mentally during the start of lockdowns and uncertainty and was introduced to Meditation by my doctor. It has worked so well to bring my mind at peace and fight the mental health battle.
Yes I now meditate daily and I love how it has transformed me as a person.
Exercise, good food and sleep helps me.
I don’t think I could meditate! How do you even do it?
Unless the dog is hyper or aggressive.
I agree, I have started bush walking since COVID has meant lockdown or working from home.
I love those photos! It looks so serene.
I didn’t think I could either but I found lots of information online and went from there.
I feel the same as Gisele Bundchen – meditation and yoga definitely has helped me.
I don’t meditate but I find walking clears my head.
Don’t forget the cute dog in the photo. Animals are great for relieving stress.
Something I keep meaning to start!
I love to do meditation.It always makes me feels good.
I haven’t tried it yet
my husband and son are out today, so i am just enjoying my day at home – clearing out my makeup and skincare, watching tv, and i will do some exercise too
I have several things that I do to calm myself. Some days I’m on edge, while other days I feel more balanced. I find reading calming (depending on the book), so is cooking because I enjoy it, except for the washing up, bush walking, walking my dogs, the beach is a wonderful place to chill, a good nights sleep, essential oils, massages, keeping a journal, meditation – kind of mixed on that, sometimes it calms me and other times it’s hard work. I’m affected by the weather, high wind is disturbing, and the moon also affects my moods and sleep. I also like chanting music. Lots of great tools to help.
I have never been able to get the hang of meditation. I always feel like I have too many other things to be getting on with.
I haven’t tried meditation.
I meditate at least twice a day… It does help with anxiety…
I’ve tried meditating on & off over the years, but have never quite got the hang of it. I find exercise can do wonders for me, even if it’s just a simple walk.
Her dog is adorable!
OMG that photo with the dog! Actually time with animals is a great way to manage anxiety.
Great read
I’ve been meditating on an off for decades and I notice a difference if I do not do it regularly.