Former First Lady Michelle Obama has opened up about her emotional "highs and lows" and "low-grade depression" stemming in part from the pandemic, Trump's administration and racial injustice. She spoke candidly about her current low mood, including how it's impacting on her sleep, on her eponymous podcast (The Michelle Obama Podcast) while interviewing journalist Michele Norris.
"I'm waking up in the middle of the night because I'm worrying about something, or there's a heaviness," said Michelle. "These are not, they are not fulfilling times spiritually... I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression."
When expanding on the reasons why, she referenced a few different factors. "[It's] not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting." An election is set to take place in the US this coming November, where Trump could be voted out of power and would be denied a second term.
Michelle also added that it's "exhausting" to be "waking up to yet another story of a black man or a black person somehow being dehumanised, or hurt, or killed, or falsely accused of something... and it has led to a weight that I haven't felt in my life, in a while."
When it comes to managing her symptoms of depression and feelings of sadness or worry, she said that keeping busy and maintaining some sort of routine has been helpful. "[Having a] schedule is key," she told her guest, explaining that a sturdy plan for the day has never been more relevant than during the pandemic.
The conversation took place during the second ever episode of her new project, the first episode of which saw her chatting with her husband, Barack Obama – so we can't wait to tune in and see who else she has lined up. The crux of the series is all about the relationships that impact on our lives and guests are set to include her "loved ones – family, friends and colleagues".
Everyone's clicking on...
Back in June, Michelle spoke about her love for Beyoncé, calling her a "queen", when presenting the singer with the Humanitarian Award at the 2020 BET Awards. Could she perhaps be a future guest?
We hope Michelle feels better soon and thank her for speaking openly about her mental health, she's provided a welcome reminder that mental illness don't discriminate and that talking can be an important factor for recovery.
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
