Superman’s Philosophy on Mental Health
Henry Cavill has played interesting “hero” roles during the last few years. Perhaps the two most recognizable in his career as an actor are as Superman (in films like Man of Steel, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League) and as the mutant-monster-hunter, Geralt of Rivia on the videogame-based TV series, The Witcher.
Henry Cavill as “Man of Steel” & “The Witcher” (Credit: Instagram)
In both roles, Cavill’s characters present an array of emotions and struggles while they try to find their place in a world they don’t always feel they belong to — something the actor can relate to. Cavill has had his own share of struggles and moments where he feels he doesn’t fit in the world that surrounds him.
In 2016, the year he filmed his second movie as Superman, Cavill spoke about his mental health struggles in a Tumblr post: “I have mental health issues. I suffer from chronic depression, episodes, stress and panic and anxiety attacks, and anyone that’s ever experienced it/suffers from it or has dealt with it, can understand how unbearable it can get.” (Henry Cavill Wonder Emporium).
“I have mental health issues… anyone that’s ever experienced it/suffers from it or has dealt with it, can understand how unbearable it can get.”
Henry Cavill
Later, during the promotional tour for Season 2 of The Witcher, Cavill shared his view of mental health, indicating that it is as important as his physical health and speaks about how therapy has helped him navigate and overcome adversity. He especially credits Kal-El (yes, Superman fans, you know who that is…), his Therapy Dog, with saving his “emotional psychological bacon plenty of times.”
For those who follow Cavill on social media, his relationship with Kal is not news. Fans have seen the “best friends” throughout the years.
Sometimes, your recovery anchor is the person next to you; sometimes, the animal next to you; in either case, the message behind this lifesaving relationship is clear: you are not alone!
During an interview in 2020, Cavill shared with British Vogue Magazine the following top 3 strategies for achieving peak mental wellbeing:
Find the right addiction
“My work means I train a lot, and because of this I feel the responses quickly to anything new. I recently started drinking No.1 Rosemary Water, which is infused with pure rosemary, and my body started craving it, just like it would do with sugar. My team couldn’t believe it and it’s become a running joke that I’m addicted to it.”
Prioritise your body, don’t poison it
“It’s about staying healthy and not poisoning your body to within an inch of its life every weekend, hoping you survive Monday through to Thursday and starting again on Friday. To me ‘living well’ means being clean and healthy – looking after the machine we were given by nature. As a species we have harnessed the power of nature; now we need to increase our respect for the bio-mechanic machine we all have.”
Convenience is key
“The impression of working actors is that it’s a cakewalk, and it’s all very easy. But it is a lot of pressure and a lot of hard work, and the hours are exceptionally long. For season one of The Witcher I would spend at least two hours in the hair and make-up chair and it was the only time I had to learn lines. After introducing a super herb [like rosemary] to my diet, I immediately felt sharper and could maximise that time – it’s not about science, it’s about how it feels, and taking full advantage of what I need for me to achieve what I need to achieve physically and mentally.”
Cavill continued to speak openly and honestly about his mental health struggles, in 2021, reminding us that mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of the point they are at in their lives, so it is absolutely normal (and healthy, I may add) to share one’s own struggles, progress, and feelings regarding our mental health.
Cavill shared his philosophy on keeping his mental health “in shape” with People Magazine:
“When it comes to my mental health, [I] focus on what I can control and work on that. And that gives me something to work towards rather than something to deal with or work through or manage my life through.”
"I've been dabbling in stoicism. I like some of the core tenets: Don't let that what you can't control affect you, don't let it affect your mental state. Only worry about the things that you can control."
For those unfamiliar with this philosophical system, Stoicism is a school of thought that seeks to maximize positive emotions and minimize negative ones through the practice of positive habits that result in a virtuous life, hence a happier life.
According to Cavill:
"We have all the necessary ingredients within us to become whatever we wish to become. We have that strength, we have that resilience. And it's just about keying into those necessary ingredients and then utilizing them to intentionally create a physical self as well."
As demonstrated by his relationship with Kal and those close to him, Cavill finds that he is not alone on his mental health journey but surrounded by a community that accompanies him with empathy and compassion.