Jourdan Dunn Opens Up About Her Battle With Anxiety
Have you ever felt so much at one time that you can't feel anything anymore? If this feeling is familiar to you, you might struggle with anxiety, and you are not alone.
Anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million adults in the U.S., a large percentage of those affected are black women. Women of color are less likely to publicly confront or address their struggles with stress and anxiety because they fear being stigmatized. Luckily, as of late, more and more celebrities are speaking out and shifting the narrative and the stigma about mental health in the black community.
British model Jourdan Dunn is the latest to speak out about her struggles with her mental health. On the outside, Dunn lives a life similar to many other millennial women. What some people might not know is that she cares for her six-year-old son with sickle cell anemia, all the while maintaining a career as an international supermodel.
Recently, the model posted a tweet on her Instagram that read, "Having anxiety and depression is like being scared and tired [at] the same time. It's the fear of failure, but no urge to be productive. It's wanting friends but hate socializing. It's wanting to be alone but not wanting to be lonely. It feels [like] everything at once so it's like you numb."
Her caption read, "My life in a tweet."
Dunn's career jump-started when she was discovered by a modeling agency when she was 15. In 2014, she secured the #1 spot on the Forbes top earning models list, becoming the first black British model to earn a spot on the line-up. Though the 27-year-old superstar has lived a seemingly star-studded life, this isn't the first time Dunn has opened up about her struggle with anxiety. In January, the model penned an open letter that was posted on Instagram about her recent struggle with anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.
"My insecurities had me questioning myself everyday. What am I doing? Where am I going? Will I ever be hired again? My career has been a roller coaster of rejection and support. I've recently learned that vulnerability isn't a weakness it's a strength."
Women of color are becoming more transparent about their battle with mental health, and the movement is igniting the change that we desperately need to see in our community. I wasn't aware that many other women of color dealt with anxiety until I was bold enough to talk about it candidly with my peers.
My family calls me "Stormy" because I have a hard time controlling my emotions. I had come to the decision that I couldn't carry the weight of the world on my shoulders alone, so I sought help from my homegirls and discovered that many of them struggled with the same issue.
When I was 17, I started taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicine, and the dosage was way off. I felt like a zombie, and I didn't feel like I was making healthy decisions, so I stopped my prescription. When I was 18, I had my first panic attack. It was the first time my anxiety had gotten that bad, and it literally felt like I was going into cardiac arrest.
At times, it feels like there is no amount of positive self-talk that can pull you out of your funk. Even when you feel like you should be counting your blessings, you feel numb and disassociated with things you would normally be enthusiastic about.
Your battle with stress and/or anxiety can make the future seem bleak, but hold on to your optimism. There are multiple options available to help manage your nerves and create a better quality of life because we need your black girl magic at full capacity. If medicine isn't for you, there are more holistic approaches to coping with stress and managing your anxiety.
Here is a list of some things you can do to ease your anxiety without medication:
Yoga
Super cliche, I know, but practicing yoga has helped me find time in the day to be completely present rather than worrying myself to death with past or future experiences. Manage the chaos going on in the outside world by gaining control of your mind. Sometimes you just have to experience this moment. Right here, right now.
Manage Your Intake
Take the week to monitor what you feed your body. Does your diet include high doses of caffeine or sugar? Are you eating well-balanced meals that give you the energy to get through your day? What you eat and drink may be affecting how you feel. Add plenty of vitamin B and Omega-3s to your diet if you're feeling tired or anxious.
Exercise
Running has always been great for my anxiety because it gives my endless amount of jitters an outlet. If running isn't really your thing, studies show that any kind of aerobic exercise can be just as effective as antidepressants.
My experience with antidepressants was isolated and it was pretty likely that I was given a dosage that wasn't right for me, but, if you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety and these suggestions don't help, please contact a doctor.
Like Jourdan Dunn, we sometimes suffer in silence. With healthy coping mechanisms and a good support system your anxiety can be managed. Are you struggling with anxiety? Share some coping methods you use in the comments, they just might help a sister out.
Featured image by Getty Images
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford are one of those couples who like to live their lives outside of the public eye. Unlike many celebrity couples, we don’t really hear a lot of details about their relationship in blogs and social media except for when Kendrick raps about it. Whitney has even been featured on many of her fiancé’s songs, but it was his last album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he was the most vulnerable.
Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS