Shorty stars under pressure ‘HOW WE DEAL WITH REAL-LIFE DRAMA'

In these uncertain times, it’s so easy to feel anxious – and the cast of Shortland Street aren’t immune! Here, some of our favourite actors explain how they cope with stress…

‘IT’S AN EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER’

Even before the pandemic, Sally Martin struggled with anxiety and depression, but when COVID hit New Zealand, impacting both her work and home life, the actress felt “smashed”.

Then, last year, to make matters worse, she broke her leg and couldn’t even walk her dog for several months. “I found that extremely hard because exercise has always been great for the endorphins and clearing my headspace,” says the star, 36, who has played Shortland Street’s director of nursing Nicole MillerMullens since 2009. “Taking myself out of my own head is good for me.”

Since then, Sally has started seeing her therapist more often and she’s learnt to be kinder to herself. “When I don’t live up to my own expectations, I try to treat myself the way I’d treat a friend on the same emotional rollercoaster – often easier said than done!” she admits.

Living at a “gentle pace”, getting lots of sleep, avoiding the news and spending time in nature are also key to her mental health. She adds, “I find taking myself away from noise is helpful – just lying on the back lawn, sitting at the beach or anywhere outside.”

Sally says her close friends and family, especially her boyfriend Dan, have played an important part in helping her cope with these uncertain couple of years as well.

“I appreciate having people who I can talk to about my ‘head heart’, but who can sense when I’d rather talk about anything else. I’m trying to be better at articulating how I feel to my closest circle, even when I sound like a broken record.