Alanis Morissette Cured Depression with Running

Canadian singer Alanis Morissette has battled depression all her life, while also struggling with her weight, a battle she spoke on more than once. Speaking with Runner’s World magazine, the star opens up about the cure she found for depression: running – and the occasional recreational marijuana joint.

Alanis’ yo-yo-ing weight has been duly documented in the media, with the singer saying that her problems with the extra pounds are all rooted in her unhealthy relationship with food and a low self-esteem. Recently, she started a new diet, which set off the weight loss process, but also became more dedicated to working out. Running, she says, was the one thing that helped her overcome her confidence issues by encouraging healthy weight loss and banishing depression.

“Running has made being depressed impossible. If I’m going through something emotional and just go outside for a run, you can rest assured I’ll come back with clarity,” the singer says for the mag. She should know what she’s talking about, one might point out, since Alanis has already run in two marathons. However, there are times when motivation comes harder, even for her. “But I tie my laces, put on a tight bra and get out there like a little robot. The first 10 minutes are excruciating, but soon I get into the flow,” she adds with a smile.

Alanis’ excellent shape of now is not due, though, to a too strict diet or deprivation. It’s the little things that matter in life, she says, and, because of that, she allows herself some treats every now and then; one of these is red wine. “It’s fun to have medical marijuana once in a while. I still party and include a little debauchery. I struggled with eating disorders, especially in my teens, but I’ve noticed when I treat my body like an instrument instead of an ornament, my relationship with food completely changes,” Morissette adds.

As we also noted a while back, Alanis’ outlook on what her relationship with food should be like changed when she came across a book called “Eat to Live,” which is actually a vegan diet that focuses not on weight loss but healthy eating and disease prevention. Not only does the diet make her feel more energetic than ever, but it also motivates her to keep working out, she said at the time.