On March 27, Reese Witherspoon shared a personal tip for managing anxiety, drawing inspiration from Martha Beck’s new book, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose. In an engaging Instagram video, the 48-year-old actress revealed her approach and conveyed a supportive message to her young followers.
Addressing a common concern, Witherspoon recounted a recent conversation with a high school student, her friend’s daughter. “She was telling me that she gets really nervous,” Witherspoon began. “We all get nervous, right? It’s a stressful time.” Her reassurance was both comforting and actionable, urging those experiencing anxiety to “get out of your head and into your hands.” The Legally Blonde star elaborated, “It doesn’t matter if you’re making chocolates, picking flowers, painting by numbers, or cooking a meal. Get busy doing something.”
This practical advice carries weight, as Witherspoon herself has battled anxiety, particularly during her preparation for the film Wild in 2014. In a 2021 Interview magazine discussion with Tracee Ellis Ross, she candidly described enduring severe panic attacks. “Probably Wild,” Witherspoon responded when asked which role impacted her most. “I was so scared to do that… I had hypnosis, I was so scared. I was having panic attacks for three weeks before I started.”
The intense nature of Wild, which involved Witherspoon portraying Cheryl Strayed’s journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, demanded an extraordinary level of commitment. “There was the nudity, sexuality, and drug-use aspect, but also being alone on camera with no other actors,” she recalled. “There were probably 25 days where I had no other actor opposite me. It was just me and a camera and a backpack.” Despite these challenges, Witherspoon received critical acclaim, earning an Oscar nomination for her role.
Witherspoon’s candidness about her anxiety and her recovery methods are not only inspiring but also serve as a valuable resource for fans and followers facing similar issues. Her recommendation to tackle anxiety by engaging in creative and hands-on activities presents a straightforward, accessible strategy. This approach aligns with her belief in getting out of one’s head, a method she embodies both personally and professionally.
As Reese Witherspoon continues to share her insights on mental health and acting, audiences remain eager for her wise words and relatable anecdotes. Her journey illustrates the power of vulnerability and creativity in overcoming life’s hurdles, leaving a lasting impression and potentially guiding others in their paths to personal growth.
