Celebs share mental health care tips at the Chita Rivera Awards

The Chita Rivera Awardsheld on May 20^u, honored dance and choreographic excellence on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in film. The star-studded event included Kristen Chenoweth, Brooke Shields, Huey Lewis, Bebe Neuwirth and David Hyde Pierce presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bernadette Peters. The proceeds benefited the New York Cty Dance Alliance Foundation whose mission is to broaden the consciousness of the performing arts while supporting education and high standards of excellence in dance.

I love musicals and celebrities as much as the next person (if not more!) real The reason I attended this incredible award was so that I could ask a question to many high-profile figures: What do you do to take care of your mental health?May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as a physician who cares for dozens of patients with mental health and substance use disorders, mental well-being is very important to me. Unfortunately, people who experience mental illness continue to facial scar and they are not getting the care they need and deserve. Impaired mental health negatively affects a person’s ability to function at home, at school, and at work. But the more we – especially celebrities – talk about mental health in an open, honest and compassionate way, the more likely we are to reduce stigma and improve access to care and quality of life.

How stars take care of their mental health

Bernadette Peters, the ultimate honoree of the night, uses many tools to take care of her mental health. “Meditation is very important. Calming the body, calming the mind. It’s remarkable what [meditation] does. I can’t support it [enough].” The multi-talented, Tony and Golden Globe-winning singer and actress is also an animal welfare advocate, having co-founded Broadway Barks with Mary Tyler Moore. “Pets are beautiful. Seeing them brings a smile to your face. you are on a positive path”.

Singer and actress, Kristin Chenoweth, shared that she “recently started doing hot yoga.” His legendary star Bad she added that meditation sound baths also bring her peace: “Sometimes you need 30 minutes with nothing [accompanied by] jingles and sound bowls’. When I suggested that the arts, music and dance were part of her DNA and likely played a role in her mental health, the Tony Award winner’s eyes lit up: “This is my therapy. If I hadn’t [the arts] as a way to get it all out, I don’t know what I would do.”

Actor, model and writer Brooke Shields has been very open about her experiences with postpartum depression and growing up with a mother diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder. The mother of two daughters and women’s advocate credits spending time with her family and close friends as nurturing her mental well-being.

A Broadway legend Norm Lewis who sang a powerful rendition of Miss Saigon’s Bui Doi takes care of his mental health through regular meditation and prayer. He also tries to “eat and sleep right.” As a doctor, I said that was perfect advice! Like Chenowith, Lewis was transparent about the impact of the arts on his mental well-being: “This is my church. It’s a gift they’ve given me. I’m just holding it as long as I can.”

Lisa Mordente, daughter of the late Rivera, also finds pets therapeutic. “I sit with my dogs and just connect and run and roll on the floor and just be with them. It’s my center.” Director and choreographer Kenny Ortega, who held Mordente’s hand supportively throughout the red carpet, believes in gratitude: “Just really work to live with gratitude. Truly. This really serves me mentally, emotionally and creatively.”

Rock and roll star Huey Lewis, who didn’t let his hearing loss stop him from doing the musical, The Heart of Rock and Roll, connects geography with his mental health…as well as humor! “I live in Montana: more cheese, less rats!” The longtime Huey Lewis and the News singer adds, “I go to Mother Nature. More creatures. I love the outdoors.” As for music, the field that catapulted him to global stardom: “Music is a wonderful thing. It’s invigorating, isn’t it?’

Mental health advice based on science

So what does research show are effective ways to care for your mental well-being? I have to say that the celebrities I spoke to are implementing the right self-care strategies! I provide the same clinical advice to my patients. Sleep, ideally seven to nine hours every night. regular physical activity; mindful practice such as meditation, yoga and prayer. And doing simple things you enjoy, like listening to music, watching a movie, and spending time with supportive family and friends, can all nourish your mental faculties. It is also important to seek professional help through a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist if and when you need it. remember, there is no shame in asking for help. Personally, I do a lot of the same things as the stars I talked to: daily meditation. play the piano; watching TV, movies and hockey; excercise? and of course watching my favorite Broadway musicals!