Lucy Hale’s Top Mental Health Hack After Opening Up About Feeling Misunderstood

Holy moly, grab another espresso, because actress Lucy Hale just dished out the single best piece of mental health advice after confessing she’s been feeling like a total outcast—and I have SO MANY thoughts buzzing around! Last week on SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Show,” Lucy admitted she’s wrestled with waves of isolation ever since her teenage Pretty Little Liars days (via People). Can you even imagine fame multiplying those “misunderstood” vibes tenfold? According to an exclusive chat with E! News, she confessed, “I’d go through stretches where I felt invisible—like nobody really knew the real me.”

What’s her secret weapon against feeling like you’re stranded on an island? Lucy swears by a nightly ritual she calls her “brain dump”: setting aside ten minutes before bed to scribble every anxious thought onto paper (per People Magazine). She says it’s “magical”—not only does it help her process emotions, it also stops her mind from doing pirouettes at 2 AM. And you know I love practical tips, so note this down: keep a journal by your bedside lamp and treat your thoughts like gossip you simply must spill.

But wait—there’s more! In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the former Disney Channel starlet revealed she leans on guided meditation apps on days when social media DMs feel more like pressure cookers than support systems. She uses Headspace to walk through breathing exercises, grounding herself in the present. Honestly, between her journaling tip and phone-guided mindful moments, Lucy’s giving us a whole self-care blueprint that even Aunt Who’s got time to try.

And here’s the kicker: Lucy stresses the importance of talking to someone you trust—whether that’s a therapist, your bestie, or (dare I say) your over-caffeinated aunt who won’t stop texting you pep talks. She told PEOPLE, “Talking it out saves me from feeling like I’m alone in it all.” Drama of Hollywood aside, this sage advice applies to literally everyone who’s ever felt like they’re shouting into the void—and we can 100% get on board with that.

Keep this in your back pocket next time doubt comes knocking: brain dump, breathe, and share your truth. Because if Lucy Hale can shake off the shadows of feeling misunderstood, trust me, we all can. I swear I could chat about this until I’m jittery beyond belief—Whew, my fifth latte is kicking in! I swear, I could talk about this all day.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, E! News, Entertainment Tonight
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed