Zayn Malik says open communication with people is the key to living with anxiety.
“Just being straight up. Just being honest about everything, explaining what it is that makes you feel uncomfortable, what it is that you’re cool with,” Malik told Us Weekly.
“And making sure that all of that is in order and everyone’s got a clear understanding of what that is.”
The 24-year-old former One Direction singer detailed his battled with anxiety issues in his 2016 memoir and believes doing so has helped him — and others.
“I feel like it was only a positive impact on everything that happened after it and people now have a better perspective on where I was coming from at the time,” he explained, “and just an understanding that it wasn’t coming from necessarily being ungrateful, shall we say, or not aware of the opportunities that were in front of me, it was just me struggling with being able to actually be there.
“I’m definitely glad I got that off my chest, as anybody is when you feel like you’re keeping something from someone you have to speak about it and clear up the air.”
Back in March, Malik said he no longer deals with the anxiety he felt while part of One Direction.
He told The Sunday Times Style magazine at the time: “We’re all human. People are often afraid to admit difficulties, but I don’t believe that there should be a struggle with anything that’s the truth.”