It’s hard to believe, but mega superstar Ryan Reynolds suffers from anxiety. It’s impacted him throughout much of his life, and now that he’s a father, he’s thankful for it.
He spoke to fellow parent Hugh Jackman for a PEOPLE cover story, and during their discussion, Jackman asked Reynolds if being a dad makes his anxiety worse or better.
I think it makes it better because your focus is less on yourself and more on your kids. I know you know that too. Now I love that I have anxiety, I love that I’ve had anxiety. Because when I see my kids experiencing some of that, which is probably genetic, I know how to address it in a way that is compassionate, that actually allows them to feel seen.
That’s such a positive way to view anxiety, and we applaud him for that. These days, it feels like everyone has some sort of anxiety, and it’s all about how you handle it.
Jackman also opened up about his own anxiety, admitting he used to be very macho about it, but thankfully that’s changing.
I used to be a little bit old-school. I thought, ‘Don’t burden them if you are anxious,’ I had to make an uncomfortable phone call yesterday, and I actually just said to my son, ‘I’ve got to make this uncomfortable phone call. I’m a bit nervous about it. If I seem a bit off, that’s why.’ And he goes, ‘Oh.’ And then he said, ‘How did the call go, Dad?’ I said, ‘I feel so much better.’
The best way to fight anxiety? Acknowledge it. Don’t try to act like it’s not there. Acknowledge that it’s there, and then do your best to not let it take over.
