Adele is back and sheโs coming in with a bang. Gracing the covers of both Vogueย andย Britishย Vogue ahead of the release of her new single, due out October 15, the 15-time Grammy award winner opened up about everything, including how she used her fitness routine to manage her anxiety.
Last year, the Hello singer made headlines after she posted aย photoย of herself to Instagram, looking noticeably slimmer. Now, while many assumed that it was the result of an amazing new wellness routine, the fact of the matter is that it wasnโt. In fact, weight loss wasnโt even part of Adeleโs plans, but what was managing her anxiety, which she did so through the power of exercise.
Adele: Exercise Isn’t For Weight Loss, It’s For Anxiety
“My anxiety was so terrible. I definitely learned a lot of tools in my therapy, but I also just go with it. I find the anxiety gets worse when you try and get rid of it.”ย – Adele, British Vogue
In her Vogue interview, the songstress explained that working out could, be the key to better managing her anxiety, revealing that when she exercised, she didnโt have anxiety and that working out was never about losing weight,
“I thought, If I can make my body physically strong, and I can feel that and see that, then maybe one day I can make my emotions and my mind physically strong.”ย
Adeleโs workout routine
BRITISHVOGUE/INSTAGRAM (photographed by Steven Meisel)
Speaking to British Vogue, the 33-year-old shared that she exerciseย two or three times a day.
“So I do my weights in the morning, then I normally hike or I box in the afternoon, and then I go and do my cardio at night. I was basically unemployed when I was doing it. And I do it with trainers.”.
According to the songwriter, the regime led to a 100-pound weight loss over a two-year period, all without being on a diet, regardless of what tabloids try to convince you.
As for why she didnโt document her journey with the world? Well, did she have to?
ย “People are shocked because I didn’t share my ‘journey’. They’re used to people documenting everything on Instagram, and most people in my position would get a big deal with a diet brand. I couldn’t give a flying f–k,” she said. “I did it for myself and not anyone else. So why would I ever share it? I don’t find it fascinating. It’s my body.”
Does exercise really help anxiety?
It’s clear that exercise is good for the body (thank you Adele), but it also has incredible benefits for your mental health.
For one, physical activity triggers brain chemicals known as endorphins and these feel-good hormones have been found to significantly alleviate symptoms of both anxiety and depression (1).
Secondly, moving your body can help to alleviate any muscle tension that youโre feeling as a result of your anxiety and a relaxed body can encourage a relaxed mind. Whatโs more, exercising also provides a welcome distraction from whatโs making you anxious, as opposed to other unhealthy coping mechanisms like indulging in unhealthy treats or scrolling through your phone..
Be positive about your body
Regardless of what her body looks like, if thereโs one thing that Adele will always advocate for, then itโs body positivity. She shared that while many people had different opinions about her โnew bodyโ, sheโs still the same personย that sheโs always been.
In a world thatโs constantly telling how you should and you shouldnโt look, being proud of the body that you have is important and itโs also great for your mental health.
“People have been talking about my body for 12 years. They used to talk about it before I lost weight. But yeah, whatever, I don’t care. You don’t need to be overweight to be body positive, you can be any shape or size. “
MAIN IMAGE CREDIT: BRITISHVOGUE/INSTAGRAM (photographed by Steven Meisel)
Want to know more?
Now while sheโs not facing any deadly obstacle courses in real life, itโs easy to see that Squid Gameโs Jung Ho-Yeon prioritizes her health and wellness. So, hereโs how Jung Ho-Yeon keeps her skin so healthy, both on and off the screen.
References
Hu, S., Tucker, L., Wu, C., & Yang, L. (2020). Beneficial Effects of Exercise on Depression and Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review.ย Frontiers in psychiatry,ย 11, 587557. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.587557
