Alanis Morissette, the Canadian-born singer-songwriter, has always been known for her raw honesty and willingness to explore complex emotions. From her groundbreaking album "Jagged Little Pill" to her more recent work, Morissette has never shied away from addressing difficult topics such as addiction, disordered eating, and mental health. In recent years, she has become an advocate for a holistic approach to well-being, incorporating diet, exercise, and mental health practices into her daily life.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Morissette's journey to a healthy lifestyle has been a long and winding one. In her early teens, she struggled with anorexia and bulimia after being told by a music executive that she needed to lose weight to succeed. This led to a cycle of yo-yo dieting, with Morissette gaining and losing weight rapidly. "I’d go up and down at least 20 lbs. fast - sometimes in two weeks," says Morissette, who became “covert, lonely and isolated.” At 17, a friend helped her begin to address these issues.
She openly acknowledges her struggles with addiction, describing them as "relief-seeking measures that kill you eventually." Work, love, sex, and shopping are her "Whac-a-Mole," with one popping up as soon as she addresses another. She recognizes her workaholism as "praise addiction," noting the societal approval she receives for overworking, in contrast to the stigma associated with other addictions.
Embracing a Vegan Diet
In recent years, Morissette has embraced a primarily plant and fruit-based vegan diet, inspired by Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book "Eat to Live." This diet emphasizes nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, while minimizing or eliminating meat, dairy, and processed foods. Morissette credits this diet with helping her lose over 20 pounds and improve her overall health.
Dr. Fuhrman's approach focuses on consuming large quantities of fruits and vegetables while limiting processed foods, meat, and dairy. He supports his recommendations with studies demonstrating the negative impacts of high-fat, high-processed food diets. The diet is designed to be very strict, but allows for small amounts of whole grains and occasional indulgences.
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Morissette starts her day with a spinach banana smoothie and enjoys a kale salad for lunch. She feels like she is "eating like an adult rather than like a 7-year-old at a candy store." This dietary change has not only helped her lose weight but has also given her more energy and eliminated aches and pains.
The Importance of Exercise
In addition to her vegan diet, Morissette also incorporates regular exercise into her routine. When she is on tour, her performances are so physical that they provide a sufficient workout. When she is not on tour, she engages in a variety of activities such as light weights, running, biking, swimming, kickboxing, and dancing.
Morissette emphasizes that exercise should be enjoyable and enhance one's life, rather than being a means to manipulate and change the body. She enjoys being active with her children, playing tennis, basketball, and soccer, and going on hikes as a family. She recognizes the benefits of exercise for both physical and mental health.
Mental Health and Self-Care
Morissette is a strong advocate for mental health and self-care. She describes herself as part of the 20% of the population who are "highly sensitive" and the 4% who are "empaths," meaning she is highly attuned to the emotions and experiences of others. This can be a challenging trait, as she is easily affected by the energy and issues of those around her.
To cope with her sensitivity and maintain her mental well-being, Morissette engages in a variety of self-care practices, including:
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Meditation: Morissette has found meditation to be a regulating force in her life, helping her to find stillness and connect with her inner self. She acknowledges that meditation can be challenging for those who struggle with negative self-talk, and suggests naming and breathing through sensations during panic attacks.
Spending time in nature: Morissette enjoys spending time in her garden, observing the rhythms of nature and connecting with the earth. She also finds tranquility on her farm in Northern California, where she keeps a variety of animals.
Making art: Morissette finds solace and self-expression through dancing, making music, and writing. These creative outlets allow her to connect with her emotions and process her experiences.
Spending time with family: Morissette cherishes the time she spends with her husband and children. She enjoys snuggling, wrestling, and smooching with her children, which she describes as an "oxytocin party."
Reading: Morissette finds comfort and inspiration in books. She is currently reading books on self-care and spirituality.
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Using essential oils: Morissette uses essential oils to promote health, immunity, and grounding. She inhales her favorite oils, focusing on slowness and deep breathing.
Foam rolling: Morissette uses a foam roller to stretch and massage her body before bed. This helps her to relax and release tension.
Cooking soup: Morissette loves to cook soup, especially spicy and nutrient-rich soups. She finds the process of cooking soup to be grounding and therapeutic.
Recovery from Disordered Eating
Morissette has been open about her past struggles with eating disorders and offers insights into finding a peaceful relationship with food and body image. She emphasizes the importance of:
Avoiding dieting: She advises against strict meal plans or "clean eating" programs, as they can trigger problematic behaviors.
Mindful eating: She advocates for mindful eating, paying attention to hunger and satiety cues, and honoring cravings in moderation.
Positive self-talk: She stresses the importance of being kind and supportive of oneself, and avoiding negative self-talk about one's body.
Avoiding "fitspiration": She cautions against media messages that encourage manipulating the body, as they can be harmful to those predisposed to poor body image or disordered eating.
Finding joy in movement: She encourages finding activities that one enjoys and that enhance one's life, rather than using exercise as a means to change one's body.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Morissette emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment for oneself and one's children. She has created a home environment where her children's "multiple intelligences" are nurtured, and they are encouraged to pursue their passions and talents. She also surrounds herself with a "caregiving gang" who understand and support her values.
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