What brings you hope and optimism?

I think it’s important to reference some level of Eastern text. The one I’m reading in bed is Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. I find that if I read something every day, it helps keep things in perspective. If you were to follow me into Barnes and Noble, you’d find me in the spirituality and self-help section. And that’s where all my favorite authors live, like Wayne Dyer. I also tend to read authors who talk about relationships like Esther Perel.

You spoke about joy, what helps you tap into that?

Any movement is going to positively impact my mental health. Kicking a ball, for example, there’s nothing like it. You’re getting out your frustrations. I find that playing soccer is joyful. It’s part of tapping into that childhood energy that you have. And playing soccer reminds me of being a kid running around.

What are some other modalities that support your mental health?

Supplements have changed my life. I’ve had the opportunity to work with various scientists and founders who have created supplements in the wellness industry. I started my career working with Moon Juice, so I started taking adaptogens and learning about how they can help control stress. Magnesium is another great supplement for stress.

“I eat a very healthy diet, so supplements don’t replace my fruits and vegetables, but I’ve noticed a huge difference in my energy levels and sleep.”

Everyday I take magnesium, B12, vitamin D, and a probiotic. In terms of probiotics, from what I understand, they’re probably one of the more impactful supplements for your mental health because your gut is your second brain. And if you take care of your gut, it will affect your mental state.

How would you describe your mental health currently?

It’s great right now and I work toward it every day. If I wake up in the morning and I’m feeling anxious, I know once I get moving that this will pass because mornings are the hardest for me. But as the day goes on, the first thing I do is take my supplements and exercise and that changes the game for me. It really helps my equilibrium.

I went through a very, very, very hard period of my life about 6 years ago. I don’t think I understood how to take care of myself. And since then, I’ve really incorporated a lot of tools.

How does intimacy and relationships impact your mental health?

I think sex is very important and I think intimacy is very important to your mental health. Loneliness can cause a lot of mental health issues and a lot of physical issues as well. I’m an introvert and I tend to get really overstimulated by too many people and too much activity in large groups. But also, on the same token, I take note that when I spend time with people one-on-one, I feel better.

What’s your take on medication, like antidepressants, and supplements?

I’m very progressive, but I’m very pragmatic. I took antidepressants and medication and Xanax and things like that for years. But I do think it should be taken in balance. When it comes to antidepressants, it can mask the root of whatever is going on. If you mask it with antidepressants, you might never learn to resolve some of the things that are making you unhappy or anxious, to begin with. You have to feel those things and learn to work through them, but maybe with a lower dose of something and with the help of a professional. So I am a big believer in medication. I just don’t think we should be over-medicating to the point where we’re not dealing with the problem at hand.

What makes you stressed or anxious and therefore impacts your mood?

In a general sense, fear. I do PR and when I get a placement for someone, I actually get a shot of dopamine and it makes me high. If I go a day without hearing back from someone, I don’t feel like I’m doing a good job. It stresses me out.

“I was raised with a very negative mindset.”

My dad is very negative and he’s always like, but what if this happens and the glass is half empty? So that’s really hard to overcome because whatever you learn as a child becomes so ingrained.

I come from a long line of depression era, Eastern European Jews who are very fear-driven and always afraid that they’re going to end up homeless or jobless. It’s a scarcity mindset and I’m always working on it. In a nutshell, the thing that stresses me out is the idea of scarcity, that there’s not enough to go around, that I might be left with nothing. And that’s a driving force, but it’s also very destructive at the same time. I know people who have found practices where they spend a lot of time thinking about abundance. I could use more of that in my life.