You might think anxiety isn’t something celebs have to worry about. But anxiety is a human emotion that can affect anyone. It impacts day to day life and our mental and physical wellbeing. Anxiety can affect your work, home life and relationships. Many celebrities have learnt coping strategies along the way to keep them going when anxiety rears its ugly head.

Do you suffer from anxiety?

If you experience anxiety, it can feel like you are on your own. Surely the rich and famous don’t have to suffer from a debilitating condition like anxiety? They have the money and self-esteem that keeps them confident, stress free and living their best lives. But the truth is, celebrities are human too. The character we see on the screen is often very different to the real life person off-screen. They face gruelling schedules which can take a huge toll on mental health and wellbeing. 

Thankfully, not all celebrities mask their struggle with anxiety and are happy to open up about their experience. This is a great step forward in reducing the stigma associated with anxiety and encouraging more of us not-so-famous folk to talk about our worries. Let’s take a look at some famous celebrities who suffer from anxiety and what words of wisdom they can offer.

Which celebrities struggle with anxiety? 

Kendall Jenner

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kendall Jenner lives a luxury lifestyle in the public eye. She has shared her journey of living with anxiety disorder in a video series for Vogue. She has even experienced sleep paralysis which can be linked with anxiety. Learning that her panic attacks start in her mind, she practises breathing exercises to calm herself down. Particularly if she needs to travel by plane which is a big trigger for her attacks.

Selena Gomez

The actress and singer Selena Gomez initially kept her battles with anxiety and depression hidden from public view. She has since realised that being open about her condition can encourage others to talk about their struggles too. She is passionate about educating others and inspiring them to seek help. An upcoming documentary, My Mind and Me, is due to be released in November 2022 that details her mental health journey including bipolar disorder.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has lived with anxiety and depression her whole life. She has used her celebrity status to campaign for open conversations around mental health. In 2012, she launched the Born This Way Foundation to support her fans who are also struggling with mental health issues. One way she has learnt to cope with anxiety is by learning how to say ‘no.’ Saying no is a powerful way to maintain your boundaries. It means you don’t agree to events that you know are going to drain you. You can preserve your energy and feel good about yourself. 

Khloé Kardashian

Khloé Kardashian is the youngest of the Kardashian sisters. She underwent a SPECT scan. A nuclear imaging tool that looks at brain activity. It reveals which areas of the brain are overactive which shows the physical impact of anxiety. This ‘emotional brain scan’ picks up on traumas and stress. Much of her anxiety is the result of negative attention on social media. Try to limit time spent on social media and focus on self-care activities instead. 

Jennifer Lawrence 

The Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence struggled with social anxiety throughout her school years. Social anxiety is a debilitating condition that can lead to loneliness and depression. She sought help from a therapist to help her deal with it. Before becoming a Hollywood star, she felt worthless and useless. Lawrence believes that acting saved her and gave her the confidence to find her bright, bubbly self again. 

Emma Stone

The Hollywood actress Emma Stone has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since a young age. She experienced her first terrifying panic attack at only 7 years old. She discovered that acting felt like a type of therapy for her. It helped keep her in the moment and disassociate from her overwhelming non-stop brain. She has even referred to anxiety as a ‘superpower’ as it connects us with our sensitive, empathic side.

Kristen Bell

Known for her roles in The Good Place (2016-2020) and the super-long-titled The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022), Kirsten Bell has spoken about her ongoing battle with anxiety and depression. Since opening up about her struggles, she has become an advocate for mental health and inspired others to speak up too. With nearly 1 in 5 Americans living with a mental health issue, transparency around these conditions is so important. She is a huge believer in the power of exercise for improving her mood, energy levels and mental wellbeing. 

Ryan Reynolds

The Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds has battled with anxiety his whole life. Behind the scenes, he has learnt to use it to his advantage and channel it creatively. Excessive worrying and over analysing have been the cause of a lot of sleepless nights. Insomnia is commonly associated with anxiety - he uses various meditation and mindfulness techniques to help switch off his busy, overactive brain. 

Pink

The singer Pink revealed that she experienced panic attacks that were so bad she thought she was having a stroke. Numerous medical tests revealed she was fine so she turned to therapy for help. Pink has prioritised self-care with what she calls her ‘spiritual toolbox’. When she feels anxious, she breaks out the scented candles and soaks in a luxurious bath. This helps her feel calmer and more peaceful. She encourages others to discover techniques that help calm and centre them.

Chris Evans

The Avengers actor Chris Evans almost refused the role of Captain America as a result of his struggle with anxiety. Overwhelming fears about what might happen held him back. Luckily, supportive family and friends helped persuade him to accept the role. He is quoted as saying “maybe the thing you are most scared of is the thing you should actually do.” He regularly posts about how he copes, one tip is to just say ‘shhh’ to your brain and not identify with the noise. Slowly you will become more comfortable with it over the years.

Harry Styles

The singer, songwriter and actor Harry Styles revealed his struggles with anxiety in his candid autobiography. The One Direction star was significantly impacted whilst touring and performing with the band. He was terrified of making a mistake and often felt overtaken by nerves. He attributes his twice daily meditation practice for helping to ground him. By taking time out to just be, meditation helps anxiety sufferers learn to focus on the present moment. 

Final thoughts

Celebrities aren’t immune to mental health struggles. The important thing is learning how to cope with anxiety. There are a range of strategies to ease overthinking and panic. From creating a self-care routine to seeking therapy. It is important to find out what works best for you. In the meantime, try a soothing puff on your ripple+ diffuser and let the plant-powered utopia wash over you. A ripple+ RELAX with calming chamomile can help to ease your busy brain.