How I Mental Health by Christy Turlington
For the new series, How I Mental Health, learn how iconic supermodel Christy Turlington gets real about self-love, meditation, and The Great British Baking Show.

She's an original supermodel, an activist, the founder of the maternal health advocacy group Every Mother Counts, and the timeless frontwoman for Calvin Klein Eternity (the latest campaign for Eau Fresh stars Turlington alongside her husband Ed Burns). At 51, she is the picture of inner peace. In her own words...
1. Social media has a neutral impact on my sense of well-being.
2. My definition of a mental-health day is one when I am completely disconnected from technology.
3. I unwind with activities like cooking, running, and reading.
4. My happy place is wherever my family is or when I am somewhere I’ve never been.
5. The not-so-great coping mechanism I had to abandon is smoking. I was a smoker until my mid-20s.
6. When I’m being pulled in many directions, I need to be still.
7. I do breathwork every day to help me feel grounded.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
8. If I’m stressed before bed, I stretch; if I’m stressed when I wake up, I go for a run.
9. When I started traveling and seeing the world, it really put things into perspective.
A post shared by Christy Turlington Burns (@cturlington)
A photo posted by on
10. I know I can always be myself with my family.
11. I feel the most confident when I am prepared.
12. When negative self-talk is filling my head, I reset by doing something more productive, like a run or yoga, that brings out my strengths.
A post shared by Christy Turlington Burns (@cturlington)
A photo posted by on
13. My comfort food is tamari-flavored almonds.
14. The weirdest way I self-soothe is biting my cuticles.
15. The song I put on for positive vibes is “Into the Mystic,” by Van Morrison.
16. The TV show I watch to de-stress is “The Great British Baking Show.”
17. My advice to myself when I’m feeling low is move.
18. My favorite self-help book is “Daring Greatly,” by Brené Brown.
19. I think meditation is amazing.
20. My security blanket is myself.
21. My favorite non-medicine medicine is green tea.
22. My mental-health mantra is “Be here now.”
This story appears in the Winter 2020 issue of Marie Claire.
RELATED STORIES
-
2000s Nostalgia Is As Prevalent As Ever. But These Authors Aren't Sure Our Cultural Obsession Is for the Best
The 'Culture Creep,' 'Girl on Girl,' and 'Waiting for Britney Spears' writers discuss their new books and why we can't let Y2K go.
-
Princess Eugenie Has "Formed an Alliance" With Prince William
A "shared passion" has "brought the cousins closer together."
-
Pajama Dressing 101 Is in Session With Jennifer Lawrence
She elevated a nightgown and slippers with a rare Prada bag.
-
37 Stress-Relieving Gifts That Will Put Anyone at Ease
The pandemic burnout is real.
-
Senator Klobuchar: "Early Detection Saves Lives. It Saved Mine"
Senator and breast cancer survivor Amy Klobuchar is encouraging women not to put off preventative care any longer.
-
I'm an Egg Donor. Why Was It So Difficult for Me to Tell People That?
Much like abortion, surrogacy, and IVF, becoming an egg donor was a reproductive choice that felt unfit for society’s standards of womanhood.
-
The 20 Best Probiotics to Keep Your Gut in Check
Gut health = wealth.
-
Simone Biles Is Out of the Team Final at the Tokyo Olympics
She withdrew from the event due to a medical issue, according to USA Gymnastics.
-
The Truth About Thigh Gaps
We're going to need you to stop right there.
-
The High Price of Living With Chronic Pain
Three women open up about how their conditions impact their bodies—and their wallets.
-
I Used to Imagine Murdering the Men I Dated
Falling in love helped me finally figure out why.