Michelle Obama Admits She’s Experiencing Low-Grade Depression During Quarantine

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama Admits She’s Experiencing Low-Grade Depression During Quarantine

During the second episode of her Spotify series, The Michelle Obama Podcast, former First Lady Michelle Obama opened up about how quarantine live has led to her experiencing moments of low-grade depression. She shared,

“There have been periods throughout this quarantine where I’ve felt too low”. 

While talking to her guest, former NPR host Michele Norris, Michelle Obama stated that within the past few months, she has felt

“those emotional highs and lows where you just don’t feel yourself.”

She continued that these emotional fluctuations are a the results of “ being out of body and out of mind”, as she and many others are stuck at home to slow down the continued spread of coronavirus.

According to The New York Times, COVID-19 has killed more than 150,000 people in the U.S., as of Wednesday (Aug 5), while infecting more than  4,000,000 million across the country. It has led to many health officials advising citizens nationwide to not leave their home, unless deemed necessary. This, partnered with the recent protest fueled by the death of George Floyd, has led to Michelle Obama dealing with depression.

“Spiritually, these are not fulfilling times. So, I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression. [It’s] not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife.”

George Floyd

To cope with these feelings, Obama says that she “had to give myself … those days, those moments”, where she understands that she is not herself and takes time away from her busy schedule. She added that “staying in a routine, getting a workout in and trying to get outside” has assisting in nourishing her mental health.

As part of that routine, Obama reveals that every evening, around 5 P.M., the Obamas get together for dinner and  partaken in family activities.

“Puzzles have become big. The girls are into them. We’re all sitting on the floor around the table where the puzzle is now permanently set up and then we sit down for dinner and we talk some more.”

Michelle, Sasha, Barack, Malia Obama

In the previous episode before her discussion on her mental health, Obama disclosed why she fell in love with her husband, former President Barack Obama.

While listeners caught onto the playfulness of the couple, Obama expressed to her husband,

“One of the reasons I fell in love with you is because you are guided by the principle that we are each other’s brothers and sisters keepers.”

In return, he joked,

“It wasn’t just my looks?”

Michelle and Barack Obama

Watch episode one of the podcast with Barack Obama, below.

How do you feel about Michelle Obama being so open about dealing with depression? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.