Janelle Monáe's Wellness Philosophy: Mind, Body, and Soul

The multitalented Janelle Monáe has carved her niche in music and acting. It is less known but fascinating to note that she ardently advocates for a grounded lifestyle combining mind, body, and spirit.

Janelle propagates an enriched perspective on self-care beyond usual standards, aiming at holistic vitality enhancement. Here is a deep dive into what wellness means to singer Janelle.

Physical wellness encompasses a variety of healthy behaviors, including adequate exercise, proper nutrition, and abstaining from harmful habits such as drug use and alcohol abuse. The “Yoga” singer is a living embodiment of the lyrics of her song.

Janelle has shared a few snippets of her doing yoga on her Instagram and X (formally Twitter) handles and can also be spotted in sports athletic gear on her profile, showing off her abs. She is acing it with physical fitness; she knows it and isn’t afraid to show.

According to Health Yogi, who did an article on the actress’s workout routine and nutrition, yoga is a big part of Janelle's routine, as it helps her relax her mind and stretch her muscles. This is paired with dance and pure cardio. She also revealed that when on tour, fitness and health are her major focus to ensure she gets through the shows, and her fans can agree that she delivers.

I try to keep a healthy, balanced diet on the road, though it can sometimes be hard,” she told BlackDoctor. “I try to eat a lot of salads while I’m traveling, but when I need a light, fluffy snack, I reach for my pita chips and hummus.”

She continued, “But in terms of staying fit and healthy, a lot comes from within. The happier you are, the more your beauty comes out. When you have a good heart and positive energy, you and the people around you are better. And that’s the best beauty and health advice you’ll find anywhere.”

Janelle Monae has never shied away from a mental health conversation. Earlier on, the singer self-diagnosed herself with obsessive-compulsive disorder because of her desire to achieve perfection in everything. She told the podcast Translash that her OCD stems from struggling with abandonment and rejection from her father during his addiction, but they are now closer than ever.

“I started to have this unhealthy relationship with being perfect so that nobody would leave me,” Janelle revealed to the show.

Other than advocacy, Janelle Monáe is big on her mental health, just as she is with physical fitness. She has revealed several times how important self-care is to her as part of enhancing mental health. While doing an interview for Shape, the singer-actor talked about how she was taking care of herself during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think self-care is important, and it shifts with your growth. It used to be making sure that I take a vacation because I had been working 11 months out of the year,” Janelle explained. “I needed time to play, to let my hair down, and run around naked. All of that is still important. And if I also want to drink, I’m drinking. You know what I’m saying?”

A healthy soul enables one to experience positive emotions like kindness, gratitude, and joy, all of which Janelle seems to be radiating. She is an active advocate for representation of the LGBTQA+ community, continually questioning conventional interpretations of spirituality and urging individuals to choose freely without succumbing to societal norms. Her latest musical masterpiece, “The Age of Pleasure,” sparks constructive dialogue among religious people about pleasure reinterpretation, as stated in an article by US Catholic.

From posting pictures of herself doing yoga to actively speaking about the importance of mental health, the singer-actor inspires her fans to approach life differently to achieve balance. The singer has had her fair share of struggles being a nonbinary Black artist, prompting her to raise awareness on mental health and self-care. And she puts her money where her mouth is by holistically approaching wellness.