Zendaya Opens Up About Her Anxiety And Self-Isolation

A Friday night gathering took place at the loft-style headquarters of WalkGood LA, a nonprofit dedicated to community well-being that is run by Ivy Coco Maurice and her brother Etienne. Zendaya attended, along with a few marketing executives who had flown in from the Swiss sports company On.

Officially, they discussed the actor's new multi-year deal with On. They arranged a private brainstorming session with the actress, the three brand executives, and the actors who are longtime partners of On.

After being introduced to the brand by Challengers costume designer Jonathan Anderson, the actress took an immediate liking to it. Zendaya has been wearing the shoes and clothes on the red carpet and in other public settings ever since.

WalkGood LA served as the host to shed light on how On's mission, which is to "ignite the human spirit through movement," incorporates social impact. For Zendaya, both of those elements are extremely important.

For one, she adores the nonprofit's objective of assisting Black and Brown people in reestablishing connections with their communities through the arts and health. Additionally, On's well-established social impact initiatives were a significant factor in the partnership's appeal.

“People don’t really know On as well for their clothes,” Zendaya says. “I’m excited to help.”

So far, their emerging partnership has produced a recently released promotional film titled Dream Together, which was directed by choreographer C Prinz.

Meet Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, an American actress and singer

On

Zendaya is drawn to On's sustainable technology, saying:

“They have dyes that are made by sucking pollution out of the sky, and shoes made from castor beans, which can fully decompose. I don’t want to be just making stuff for the sake of it and adding to what’s already out there—I like that they’re using all the science available to be sustainable.”

Isolation can be a common response to anxiety, but it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Tara Brach, a renowned psychologist and meditation teacher, suggests that mindfulness practices can significantly mitigate feelings of loneliness and fear. Engaging in mindfulness meditation helps individuals ground themselves in the present and fosters a sense of connection to the world around them. Simple techniques, such as focusing on breath and observing thoughts without judgment, can create a calmer mindset.

Incorporating these practices into daily life could offer Zendaya and others a constructive approach to managing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being.

Here is Zendaya during the filming of the Dream Together with On

On

She does, however, readily acknowledge that it's a little ironic that she's working with an athletic clothing company. Even though she has earned her athletic prowess in Challengers, she doesn't work out much on a regular basis.

She's actively working to change that, especially now that she's aware of the significant influence movement can have on her mental health and her anxiety issues in particular.

Zendaya also had more to add

As Zendaya opens up about anxiety, it’s crucial to understand the psychological underpinnings. Dr. Susan David, an expert in emotional agility, emphasizes that acknowledging feelings of anxiety is the first step to managing them effectively. She advocates for a practice called 'emotional granularity,' which involves identifying specific emotions rather than generalizing them. This technique can empower individuals to navigate their feelings more effectively, leading to healthier coping strategies.

By learning to articulate their emotions, individuals can reduce the tendency to isolate themselves during challenging times.

"I think sometimes people assume that because of what they see of me, maybe I’m a certain way. But when I’m not working, I tend to isolate myself. My therapist, family, and friends will tell me, ‘You need to get up and get out,’ and I never want to—but when I make myself do it, I realize it’s actually kind of nice. I’m less anxious. I have to really be intentional about taking care of myself. I’m learning to be more responsible for myself and for my own body and looking after it all,” she says.

Zendaya on the Vogue page

britishvogue

Zendaya finds that taking care of her mental health in general is a work in progress, even though walking her dog keeps her from entirely shutting herself in when she's not working.

“Sometimes it’s just getting out of bed, telling myself, ‘We’re facing the day: we're taking a shower, we're putting on real clothes, we're seeing some sunshine.’ I try to set little challenges for myself,” says Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert.

As noted by Dr. Susan David, acknowledging and addressing mental health is crucial, and it's commendable that Zendaya is open about her struggles. This candidness can inspire others to prioritize their mental well-being.

Understanding anxiety through the lens of expert insights can lead to healthier coping mechanisms. Dr. Brach's strategies encourage individuals to confront their fears with compassion rather than avoidance, which can be particularly beneficial for public figures like Zendaya. Moreover, Dr. David’s emotional granularity technique provides tools for articulating feelings, promoting better mental health.

Incorporating these expert recommendations into everyday routines can empower individuals struggling with anxiety. Cultivating emotional awareness and practicing mindfulness can create a supportive framework for navigating life's challenges.