Full-Coverage Friday: Post-Wedding Blues, Seasonal Depression & Therapy by Avril Lavigne
Welcome to the first edition of Full-Coverage Friday!
Full-Coverage Friday is where I take a look back at some of my favorite beauty and mental health stories—both mine and others—and unpack what’s been living rent-free in my brain this week. Expect deep dives, a little gossip, and the kind of self-care takes that actually make you feel good (no $400 jade rollers required).
I think we can all agree that it’s been a weird start to the year. January was a straight-up nightmare-scape, but I had a personal light at the beginning of the month when I got married in Mexico.
I’ve written a bit in the past about how stressful the planning process was for me, and for the most part, I’m thrilled that my bridal era has come to a close (and even more thrilled to be married to my favorite person!). But getting back to real life has been… hard.
I was in bed with the flu for an entire week after we got home, and these cold, dark February days filled with nothing but bad news have made it really hard to want to do anything other than lie in bed and watch TikToks about what happened between Paige and Craig. I also took a much-needed mental health break before the holidays, so getting back into a groove work-wise has been… a challenge.
For all future brides out there: As much as I loved getting married in January, there’s something to be said about mixing post-wedding blues with seasonal depression (and, I guess, the fall of democracy).
For the past month, motivation has been nonexistent. But my bank account has now reached a point where I can no longer justify ordering Seamless for every meal, which means it’s officially time to be a real person again.
I know from experience that jumping into a strict routine too quickly is a surefire way for me to burn out (which, FWIW, science backs—especially if you're a Gemini with ADHD like me). So, instead of forcing myself into a full reset, I’ve been slowly easing back into small, manageable self-care habits that bring me joy—the smallest of which, quite literally, is watching Bravo in the shower, which I wrote about earlier this week. (I also got to interview Summer House star Ciara Miller, who I am now even *more* obsessed with, for Yahoo—read it here!)
A Few Other Things Getting Me Through These Blah Days:
🌀 Giving myself a blowout with the Shark FlexStyler
I’ve been struggling to figure out what to do with my newly short hair (more on that next week!), and this do-it-all dryer—which the brand generously sent me to try—has changed the game. It’s so easy to use and gives me a salon-quality blowout in like, 10 minutes. It’s officially dethroned my Dyson (!!!) and has given me a week’s worth of good hair days in a row, which has worked wonders for my confidence.
🚴 SoulCycle, baby!
Back in the day, I was one of those hardcore studio girlies who took 7 a.m. workout classes before heading to my job at Condé Nast. I fell off (along with the rest of the world…) during the pandemic, but I’m back. I restarted my ClassPass membership ahead of my wedding and immediately fell back in love with the fever dream that is a SoulCycle class.
Every Monday for the past few months, I’ve been starting my week with an 8 a.m. themed ride (usually Taylor Swift—though last week, it was Avril Lavigne), and I cannot fully explain how positively it’s impacted my life. Dancing on the bike in the dark while silently screaming I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART literally is my cardio. And my therapy. Quick reminder that working out should bring you joy! (slash is anyone else back on their studio game?)
🫧 The Rare Beauty Comfort Cream
I’m a slut for body care, but as much as I’m willing to try anything and everything, it takes a lot for a new product to dethrone my go-to’s and establish itself as a favorite. With Rare Beauty’s Comfort Cream, though, it was love at first application. The peach/bergamot scent is intoxicating—so good that I want to lick my skin (…I mean that in the least-gross way possible). The creamy-gel texture sinks in instantly, and the brand describes it as “feeling like a hug,” which, honestly? They’re not wrong.
More Ideas for Low-Effort Self-Care
I’m a biggggg believer that beauty and self-care aren’t one-size-fits-all (…you’re probably going to hear me say that a lot on here), which means that what works for me won’t work for you. And that’s ok! I personally would rather run into traffic than take a bath.
If you do need a little inspo for adding some of these low-effort practices into your own routine, though, here are a few of my favorites to get you started (you can find much more in-depth list here). I promise none of them require you to leave the house in this godawful weather.
🚿 Take an Everything Shower
Taking the time to cleanse yourself from head to toe allows you to connect with your body in a mindful, uninterrupted way. Plus, standing under a stream of warm water is a surefire way to wash away stress.
💡 Try an LED Mask
Some studies suggest that red light therapy can help lower cortisol (AKA the stress hormone), helping regulate the nervous system and calm feelings of anxiety. It can also stimulate endorphin production, which lifts your mood and makes you feel more relaxed.
💆♀️ Give Yourself a Scalp Massage
Scalp massage can help relax the muscles in your head, neck, and shoulders—where most of us hold tension—which in turn relaxes your entire body. It also flips your nervous system into "rest and digest" mode, slowing your heart rate and encouraging deep breathing. Do it with the pads of your fingers (never your nails!) or a massage tool while you shampoo (or even just...when you're sitting on the couch), using small circular motions and gentle pressure to release tension and stimulate circulation.
Coming Next Week…
💇♀️ A deep dive on my post-wedding hair transformation and what it’s taught me about control
🌟 Celebrity hair changes that meant a whole lot more than just a new look
🔎 Whatever unhinged self-care hacks I try between now and then
Keep the Conversation Going!
What’s your current lowest-effort, highest-reward self-care habit? Let me know in the comments—I’ll feature the best ones in an upcoming edition of Laugh Lines!
P.S. I’ll be rolling out some exciting perks for Laugh Lines founding members soon—think exclusive content, early access to interviews, and a few surprises along the way. Stay tuned!