Kristen Bell might be comfortable opening up and even cracking a joke or two about her mental health these days, but the actress recently revealed this wasn’t always the case.
During an intimate conversation with Today show host Willie Geist on Sunday, the 39-year-old reflected on the first time she spoke out about ongoing struggles with anxiety and depression in 2016 and admitted she wished she had been more vocal about it sooner.
Related: Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard Had ZERO Sparks When They First Met?!
The Frozen 2 star explained she got the nudge to publicly open up from husband Dax Shepard:
“He was like ‘Why don’t you talk about your anxiety and depression?’ and I had never thought about that before. And I immediately felt incredibly irresponsible.”
We wouldn’t beat yourself up so much, Kristen! Putting that kind of deeply personal information out there isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do.
Still, the Veronica Mars alum said she ultimately felt it was the right decision. She jokingly gave her hubby credit and added:
“Me talking about that actually came from — ugh, I hate to give him credit for everything, it’s so annoying that he’s so right about everything, it really is.”
It almost goes without saying Bell has an undeniable amount of bubbly charm on and off-camera, and she’s well aware of it, too. However, she noted the fact “everyone thinks there’s shame in it” (referring to mental health issues) is what pushed her to speak up.
Kristen explained:
“I’m like ‘bubbles, glitter!’ No, it’s not always that way. I am someone who takes a medication for her anxiety and depression. I am someone who has to check myself and sometimes — if I’m feeling really low — make a checklist of good and bad things in my life to see if it’s my mental state or if we really have a problem.”
What a powerful admission and it’s always refreshing to hear an A-listers like herself be so candid about the need for self-care. We’re definitely taking notes!
Speaking of good suggestions, the momma of two also shared a pro tip for anyone going through the same issues: regular exercise. She noted:
“It should be the first stop for anyone who experiences depression or anxiety because it encourages serotonin and endorphins. I feel so much more centered, patient, capable. It sets the next 48 hours for me.”
It sounds like she has experienced quite the turnaround from when her overwhelming anxiety used to run rampant. Back in 2016 during an appearance on Off Camera with Sam Jones, she said:
“I’m extremely co-dependent. I shatter a little bit when I think people don’t like me. That’s part of why I lead with kindness and I compensate by being very bubbly all the time because it really hurts my feelings when I know I’m not liked. And I know that’s not very healthy and I fight it all the time.”
We applaud your continued transparency, and stay strong, girl!
With the highly-anticipated sequel to her hit movie Frozen in theaters now, we hope Bell can continue to find things to smile about!
[Image via Adriana M. Barraza/WENN]
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