Alanis Morissette on anger, isolation, and meditation

The legendary singer-songwriter chats with us about anger, anxiety, and depression. [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( IN a nutshell Happy Friday, friends! There are only two types of people in this world: Alanis Morissette fans and those who are wrong. Seriously though, here’s some exciting news for my fellow fans: [Inside Mental Health podcast]( host Gabe Howard spoke with the icon about her experiences with managing anxiety, depression, and anger! Keep reading for our favorite clips from their chat. After our [Q&A with Alanis,]( we're talking about: • [a popular, evidence-based meditation app]( • [tips to help you stay calm and manage anger]( • [how a daily multivitamin may improve memory in older adults]( • [Healthline’s Therapy resource center]( Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Morgan Mandriota June 9, 2023 • 7 min read 🎶 You, you, you oughta know 🎶 that [Alanis Morissette]( has been one of the most influential singer-songwriters of her generation. She’s also an avid supporter of mental health, female empowerment, and spiritual and physical wellness. Here are some of our favorite quotes from Gabe’s chat with Alanis about anger and depression on the [Inside Mental Health podcast.]( *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: I’m thinking of the “Jagged Little Pill” days. All the way back in 1995, everybody said “this album is so angry.” Has this followed you around your career where they just assume that you’re bitter? A: If someone’s going to one dimensionalize it out of the gate, I’ll take anger. I don’t mind. Anger is actually a really good friend of mine. Not the destructive acting out of anger, but anger itself. I think what wound up happening –– going into radio stations and otherwise –– was that people were confused. Their sense was that I’d walk in and be raging, knocking things over, and acting out. But then I’d come in and be irretrievably Canadian and relational, you know? I think there was confusion as to how can this person who’s socially graceful be so angry? How can this female be so angry? It was a real opening for the multitudinousness to be included in all humanity, not just women. We all have a part of us that is angry. We all have the part of us that has the capacity to be jubilant and joyful. We have all these millions of parts in us, so for anyone to be reduced to one thing is a violence, and it’s ridiculous. Q: Living with [bipolar disorder,]( one thing that I’ve learned about anger is there’s sort of an empowerment with it. Like, [anger is the first step toward action.]( Is this how you feel about it? A: We’re such beautifully complex creatures. We have our thoughts, behaviors, soul, senses, [intuition]( … we have all these parts. Anger’s just one part of it, and I completely agree with you. So many times in the midst of deep, swampy, quicksand-y depression, I’ve been livid –– just repressed, sublimated lividity. For me, it’s about having the energy to become unstuck. As soon as I express and articulate it, whether it’s in a therapeutic context or with a trusted, safe friend, it moves. I have to just stay responsible and look at every element of [what causes depression]( and certain thoughts to come streaming in and keep me in that state. [Alanis Morissette] Q: What’s it like from your vantage point to hear people dismiss your mental health issues because you just so happen to be in the public eye? How do you deal with this? A: I get it. People don’t want to hear about it, for the most part. Thankfully, I haven’t had people “poo poo” my journey as a human being. I’ve had therapists, mentors, and teachers who couldn’t have cared less that I was subject to abundances and fame. In fact, they saw it as a compounding of my challenges [and] a greater way for me to [isolate.]( I mean, it’s a natural tendency when I’m in pain or struggling –– my tendency is to hide, go within, and kind of disappear, and that’s the recipe for even more isolation, pain, [and] [suicidality.]( Paying attention and having a quality of inquiry or curiosity is one of the most amazing ways to crawl up and be pulled out of the quicksand through relationships. I can guarantee that if I feel like sh*t, there are some false thoughts going on … there’s something I’m believing that isn’t true. And it’s really hard to investigate that alone. We want to be with a safe other who’s got some wisdom and [can help us] really look at it and show where it’s false. Q: Your album “[The Storm Before the Calm](” is listed as a meditation album. What is a meditation album? A: For me, it’s an invitation to stillness, spaciousness, inquiry, talking to different parts [of me] who’ve been ignored and really need our attention or they’re going to act out, or it’s just a break. But the one qualification that I do want to make around this record is that [meditation](, when it’s super silent, can actually be an anxiety-inducing process, and it’s actually not helpful. So, sometimes, music or guided meditations can be helpful because there’s some implication of relationality built into it. The irony here is I’m putting a meditation record out and letting people know that it’s not always part of that. Sometimes it’s just about having someone love you across from [you]. There’s so many different states of our sweet humanity that this record really touches on. Want more? Listen to the [full interview]( on our Inside Mental Health podcast. And don’t forget to scroll down to the end of this email to rate this interview! great finds Editor faves with health perks [Calm App]( [Calm App]( Like Alanis confirmed above, [guided meditation]( can help reduce stress and anxiety. New to meditating? Check out the award-winning Calm app, which is designed to –– yep, you guessed it –– calm you down. This evidence-based mindfulness app offers hundreds of breathing techniques, calming exercises, nature sounds, and sleep stories for people of all ages and experience levels. Plus, new content is regularly added, so you’ll always have plenty to explore, especially if you become a paid subscriber. Read our full [2023 Calm Review]( to learn more! [Shop now]( Every product we recommend has gone through [Healthline's vetting process](. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. [Try these 8 anger management tips to help you stay calm]( Weird Science [Try these 8 anger management tips to help you stay calm]( Anger is a natural emotion that we all experience. However, unmanaged anger can lead to deeper problems, like physical altercations, relationship challenges, and even [health issues]( like [anxiety]( and [high blood pressure](. Want to better manage your rage? Try these strategies for staying calm in the face of anger: 1. Take a walk: Literally. Sometimes, removing yourself from the situation can be the quickest way to subside intense emotions. 2. Exercise: [One study]( found that participants who exercised regularly were better able to manage their anger. 3. Repeat a mantra: Although you’d rather curse and yell, [repeating affirmations]( or words like “relax” and “you’ll be OK” can chill you out. 4. Stretch: It may help to release any pent up physical tension, especially in your neck and shoulders. 5. Escape to a quiet space: Close your eyes, and [visualize yourself]( in a relaxing place. 6. Play music: Distract yourself and vibe out to your favorite songs. 7. Stop talking: Try to avoid saying something you may regret out of emotion. 8. Find a creative outlet: Express your feelings through [journaling](, writing music, [drawing](, gardening, or a different creative endeavor. These tips may not work for everyone, especially if the anger is deeper rooted or more aggressive in nature. If your anger is negatively affecting your health or relationships, it’s important to [speak with a therapist]( who can help you manage it. More on anger management: • [How to control your anger and why it’s important]( • [Do I have anger issues?]( • [Mindfulness for managing anger]( health stories you need What we’re reading next [] 📚 [Healthline’s Therapy resource center.]( We’re here for you along your mental health journey. Explore tips for finding and affording a therapist, learning about conditions, and more. 🧠[A daily multivitamin may protect long-term memory in older adults.]( Researchers hope findings from this new study can lead to easy, inexpensive ways to slow age-related memory decline. 🚭 [Is smoking cigars bad for you?]( Yes. In some ways, they’re even worse for your health than cigarettes. Learn more about the risks of cigar smoking, plus advice on how to quit. 🔗 [The link between menopause and anxiety.]( Menopause may come along with increased anxiety, but support, lifestyle changes, and self-help techniques can help you cope. 🧠[Alzheimer’s disease resource center.]( Want help navigating Alzheimer’s disease? Check out our program full of resources to help you and your loved ones find support, care, and information. Thanks for reading! Enjoy your weekend. We’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by Alanis’ “Hand in My Pocket.” [fb]( [tiktok]( [insta]( [View in browser]( Did a friend send you this email? [Subscribe here.]( To see all newsletters, [click here.]( [Privacy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001