Actor Chris Evans has recently opened up about his mental health struggles, especially those surrounding anxiety, depression, and trepidation. In an interview conducted by Motivation Madness, Evans was asked what advice he would give his 12-year-old self, to which he responded,
“It might seem oversimplified, but it’s profound. I’d say ‘Shh.’ It’s been a big thing for me, ‘Shh’…It’s so funny how noisy my brain is.”
For Chris Evans, depression and anxiety are a very real part of his story, and almost put an end to his career. He recounts how he turned down the role as Captain America several times because of the strenuous ten year, six movie commitment. He feared that his mental health would be impacted negatively and he would not have the opportunity to recharge and re-evaluate.
By quieting his brain and using other coping mechanisms, Evans was able to rise above the automatic thoughts that were causing anxiety and depression. However, mental health is an ongoing fight, and there is no quick fix. Learning coping mechanisms—like the ones below—is a great way to safeguard yourself against intruding thoughts and feelings.
How to Quiet Negative Thinking
Never Suffer in Silence
The worst thing you can do if your mental health is suffering is to keep your emotions bottled up inside. By staying silent about your struggles, you are reinforcing negative emotions and heightening the misconception that you are alone. The sooner you are able to open up, be vulnerable, and explain to someone how you’re feeling, the sooner you will be on a path to recovery. Visiting a depression clinic is a great way to speak to an unbiased third party who can talk you through issues that you are dealing with. The stigma surrounding therapy is quickly fading, and people are realizing just how important it really is to maintain a healthy mind.
Surround Yourself With a Support System
Isolation can be extremely detrimental for people who are experiencing depression or other mental health struggles. In addition to getting a therapist, it is important to lean on friends and family members when things feel tough. Evans expressed that, after initially turning down the opportunity to play Captain America, he asked every single person in his life for their opinion on the matter. We see how crucial human interaction is when looking at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which displays that an innate psychological need for human beings is belongingness and love. Evans touches on this point, explaining that going home and connecting with his family helps him to remember who he is and what his values are.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Listening to the negative thoughts that creep inside your head may end up holding you back from achieving greatness. In recent interviews, Evans has alluded to the fact that his struggle with mental health almost ended his career. While Evans grappled with the idea of signing onto Captain America for six movies, he eventually came to the conclusion that the fear of failure is no reason to quit—or not try at all. He explains,
“Maybe the thing you’re most scared of is exactly what you should do; maybe this is exactly what you should push yourself into. ”
According to Chris Evans, depression hinges on breaking through the “brain noise.” Those thoughts are not who you are and you cannot let them control you.
Get Quiet With Yourself
While it is important to lean on support systems and visit a depression clinic if you are experiencing any level of depression or anxiety, it is also important to learn how to quiet your brain in moments of chaos or suffering. As Evans explained, the root of suffering can be following negative or ruminating thoughts and letting them control you. The times he’s felt best have been when he has been able to “pull the plug” on his negative thoughts and quiet them. He explains the importance of being able to regroup after stressful situations in order to stay in touch with who you are. Turning off these thoughts is no easy feat, but it can be accomplished through practicing meditation, coloring, or even taking a walk outside without distractions.
Chris Evans is just one of the many celebrities who have been public about their mental health struggles. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay. You are not alone in this. If you are suffering, contact our ketamine clinic for a consultation to see if you are a candidate for ketamine infusions. We’re here to help. Just fill out the form below to get started.