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Idris Elba is opening up about his mental health.
During a recent appearance on the "Changes with Annie Macmanus" podcast, the 51-year-old actor opened up about his experience seeking therapy and the profound impact it has had on him. Reflecting on his journey, he shared how he has been actively working on transforming himself, to the point where even his brain's neuropaths have undergone changes. Elba clarified that his motivation for this transformation doesn't stem from a dislike for himself, but rather from a recognition of certain unhealthy habits that have become deeply ingrained. He acknowledged that his industry often reinforces and rewards these detrimental behaviors.
The actor who portrayed Luther further explained that he was specifically referring to habits such as being self-centered and excessively devoted to work.
"I have a tendency to be completely consumed by work, which is not ideal for overall well-being," he admitted. "Any extreme behavior is detrimental. It's crucial to maintain a balance in everything. However, I do reap significant benefits from being a workaholic, being able to immerse myself in my work and form new relationships, only to eventually depart from them."
Elba expressed his desire to discover alternative means of relaxation apart from work. However, currently, this is not the situation.
"The issue is that the activities which bring me relaxation often revolve around work," he remarked. "In my personal studio at home, I genuinely enjoy spending my time. I would open my laptop, uncertain of what to create, but ultimately, ideas flow effortlessly, leaving me invigorated."
He continued by saying that he could have spent 10 days working on a film, particularly underwater sequences where he had to hold his breath for six minutes. Despite the intensity of the work, he found that he was more relaxed in that environment compared to sitting on the sofa and watching TV with his family. He acknowledged that it may be considered unconventional, but he emphasized the importance of finding personal ways to relax that don't solely revolve around work.
In terms of Elba's personal life, he got married to Sabrina Elba (formerly known as Sabrina Dhowre) in Morocco in April 2019. The couple met at a party in Vancouver while Elba was filming The Mountain Between Us.
"It was a case of love at first sight," he spoke about on The View in 2019. "On my only day off, which was a Sunday night, I decided to attend a party. And lo and behold, that's when I saw her. The rest, as they say, is history."
Before this, Elba had been married to Hanne "Kim" Norgaard in 1999, but unfortunately, their relationship ended in 2003. They have a daughter together named Isan Elba, who is now 21 years old. Elba is also a father to his son Winston, who is 9 years old, from his previous relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Naiyana Garth.
Elba previously wed Sonya Nicole Hamlin in 2006, but the two split after less than a year together.