GMA’s Ginger Zee reveals activity that saved her from ‘rock bottom’ as she battled scary mental health diagnosis
GINGER Zee has revealed the everyday activity that she took part in, which saved her from “rock bottom.”
The Good Morning America meteorologist was diagnosed with depression at 21 and began running to clear her head.
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GMA’s Ginger Zee revealed that running is the one thing that saved her from ‘rock bottom’Credit: Instagram/ginger_zee
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Last week, Ginger attended the Open Run for an Open Mind event to talk about her depression diagnosis and how running saved herCredit: Rex
On May 5, Ginger spoke to People about running and the benefits it has had on her life.
She attended the first Open Run for an Open Mind event, which took place May 2 in Queens, New York.
According to the outlet, the event is “aimed at providing opportunities to positively impact individuals’ mental health through running for May’s Mental Health Awareness Month.”
Ginger teamed up with the New York Road Runners for the event.
The 42-year-old recounted how running saved her.
“In my darkest times personally, as my career was ramping up and everything was going, running was the therapy I didn’t realize I had,” she said.
“A lot of times it broke isolation or it gave me the natural dopamine hit or whatever it was that I didn’t realize I needed more than anything.”
Ginger continued: “I wasn’t in a place — because I didn’t have the proper diagnosis until about 11 years ago — to really heal, but I believe that running kept me above rock bottom many times.”
RUN GINGER RUN!
The meteorologist told People that she started running around the age of 10 and then continued throughout high school.
She then revealed that she became “addicted” to running in college, which was at the point in her life where she “felt the worst mentally.”
“Once I went to the hospital to get my inpatient treatment — which I should have done much earlier — physical activity was part of the roadmap they gave me… after sleep and nutrition,” Ginger said.
“I always knew that running felt good. I always knew that I felt a little better, more clear head.”
“But that’s when I realized the science behind what was actually happening when you move, and how that was an integral part and would be in the future,” she added.
“Running is the crown jewel of my physical mental connection.”
Ginger now runs “at least three time a week” and is the healthiest she has ever been.
TOUGH BATTLE
Last October, Ginger gave an update on her mental health days after opening up about living with Borderline Personality Disorder.
She posted a video about her struggles with anorexia and battles with depression to Instagram.
Ginger said seeing a picture of her younger self during one of her “darkest points…hurts her inside to see”.
The clip marked World Mental Health Day, and Ginger told viewers about her own struggles from “a very young age.”
She also said she had been diagnosed with both anorexia and narcolepsy.
In the video, chief meteorologist Ginger told viewers: “Just because you don’t see something physically wrong with someone doesn’t mean that they are well.”
“Healing is constant maintenance…[it is a] lifelong workout of your brain,” she added.
And fans were quick to praise the GMA star for her transparency.
One said: “Love your transparency.”
Another added: “Thanks for showing this to others to give them strength and courage for another day.
“Keep this up not only for yourself and your family but for countless others that may have this same state of mind that may need these words of encouragement.”
GINGER’S FIGHT
A few days before Ginger opened up about how she was doing, the meteorologist revealed to her followers that she has Borderline Personality Disorder.
Ginger shared a written out Instagram post.
“Hi, I’m Ginger. I’m the Chief Meteorologist at ABC News, managing editor of the Climate Unit, a wife, mother, and so many other things,” she wrote.
“Today, on World Mental Health Day, it is so important for you to know that 11 years ago, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder after checking in a Columbia’s psych ward.”
The GMA star continued: “It’s also important to know that I have found healing and that you deserve to too.”
She went on to say that depression, PTSD, and an eating disorder are all things she works on about herself every day.
Ginger shared that being honest with herself, being open to imperfections, and therapy, have all helped her through her diagnosis.
By sharing that she has Borderline Personality Disorder, she hopes to help others who have a mental health disorder.
“I hope this post can help you accept yours. It’s the only way to heal. And you DESERVE to heal,” she wrote.
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The meteorologist said that she became addicted to running in college when she was ‘at her worst place mentally’Credit: Rex
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Ginger also shared that she struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder and used to have an eating disorderCredit: Getty
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Now she is focused on mental health awareness for herself and othersCredit: Rex
