Grammy-nominated singer Shawn Mendes announced recently on his Instagram page that he is taking a break from his world tour to take care of his mental health.
“I’ve been touring since I was 15 and to be honest it’s always been difficult to be on the road away from friends and family,” he wrote. “The toll of the road and the pressure has caught up to me and I’ve hit a breaking point.”
Celebrities are human, too
Celebrities may seem like they have it all, but the spotlight does not make them immune to mental health issues. Here are other famous personalities who have also chosen to take mental health breaks at the peak of their popularity:
- Prince Harry Of Wales
While Prince Harry has always been open about his mental health struggles, many in the world were still shocked when he and his wife Meghan Markle decided in early 2020 to step back from royal duties and move to North America to live a quieter life. In an interview with talk show host James Corden, he said the British press was negatively affecting his mental health. “It was a really difficult environment, as I think a lot of people saw,” he said in the episode. I was like, ‘this is toxic.'”
- Naomi Osaka
In June 2021, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka announced that she was withdrawing from the French Open to prioritize her mental health and self-care. “It’s O.K. to not be O.K., and it’s O.K. to talk about it,” she wrote in an article for TIME magazine. “There are people who can help, and there is usually light at the end of any tunnel.”
- Simone Biles
A month after Naomi’s announcement, bemedalled Olympic gymnast Simone Biles also withdrew from the team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns.”Put mental health first, because if you don’t, then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to,” she said in an interview afterwards. “So it’s OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself, because it shows how strong of a competitor that you really are, rather than just battle through it.”
- BTS
In June 2022, global Kpop sensation BTS announced that they are taking an indefinite hiatus as a group and will instead focus on their individual music. They indicated that they wanted to use the time for personal growth and also manage burnout. “I always thought that BTS was different from other groups,” RM said in the video. “But the problem with K-pop and the whole idol system is that they don’t give you time to mature. You have to keep filming [producing music] and keep doing something.”
Working hard is important, but taking mental health breaks can make you happier, healthier, and more productive.
- Here are some ways you can avoid toxic productivity and feel less guilty about taking breaks. (READ: 7 Things You Can Do to Overcome Hustle Culture)
- Going on a digital detox is another way to take a mental health break. (READ: 6 Ways to a Successful Digital Detox)
- Finally, don’t be afraid to talk to a mental health professional anytime things feel like too much. (READ: Choosing the Right Therapist for You)
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