15 October 2023 , 17:58
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Fearne Cotton shared words of encouragement to those struggling with mental health problems and reflected on her own past battles with bulimia.
The 42-year-old television and radio host has previously shed light on a past 10 year battle with the eating disorder - which she said had taken hold out of “self loathing” and also due to the condition being a “control mechanism”. The star is married to Jesse Wood, the son of Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood, and together they share two children; a son named Rex, 10, and a daughter named Honey, eight.
Fearne has been something of an open book about her fight against bulimia and how she managed to turn her life around after her weight dropped drastically. Over the past week, Fearne has addressed her battle again, having been inspired to do so due to world mental health day.
Taking to Instagram, she shared a powerful message. She wrote: “There are a million things I could say... We should always start by differentiating mental health and mental illness. Mentall illness often can't be dealt with in the same way we might try to cultivate mental health.
Fearne Cotton has discussed her past battle with an eating disorder (WireImage)
Fearne has opened up on her struggles (Dave Benett/Getty Images)“Secondly, a good quality of mental health doesn't mean just feeling ace all the time. It's the ability to weather the storms that come along in life. It's a daily discipline, a moving towards things that you know make you feel good in the long run. It's liking yourself, which might not always be possible, but when we do life gets easier. We forgive our previous mistakes, we give ourselves the room to make more, we stop aiming for perfect and head towards a messier, fuller, deeper experience of life.”
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“I would also like to say for those of you that feel unwell at the moment, it is absolutely possible to heal and experience a different mindset. Did I think in the depths of bulimia that I would recover? Nope. Did I think during a big depressive episode that I would feel joy again? Nope. But I have recovered and I do experience joy. I have to remind myself of this still as anxiety can easier take hold and send me into obsessive thought patterns. I remind myself daily that change and progress are possible.”
Fearne added: “Wherever your head is at today, go easy on yourself, know that the aim isn't perfect, relentless happiness and do one thing today that makes you feel brilliant.”
Fearne shared details of her bulimia battle in November last year. In another Instagram post at the time, she explained: “I was bulimic for ten years which was partly an issue of self loathing and partly a control mechanism.
“I still feel a discomfort in mentioning it, only spurred on by the knowledge that so many are dealing with it now and might feel like they'll never break the cycle. My message being...if I can, you can. It is absolutely possible. Go gentle on yourself and know that you can heal.”
For help and support on eating disorders contact Beat Eating Disorders on 0808 801 0677.