Elizabeth Banks: Wellness, Motherhood, and midlife insights
Alona Yadav | Mar 25, 2025, 00:19 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Elizabeth Banks, sharing her personal health journey, has faced and navigated perimenopause, a shingles diagnosis, and infertility struggles. Her recent health scare with shingles made her prioritize preventive healthcare, including vaccinations, while advocating for normalizing women's health discussions and maintaining a focus on longevity for her family.
Hollywood actress and director Elizabeth Banks is opening up about her personal health journey, offering a candid look at navigating perimenopause, family life, and the importance of preventive healthcare.
At 51, Banks recently experienced a challenging bout with shingles that forced her to miss work for the first time in her career. The unexpected illness became a pivotal moment of reflection, prompting her to prioritize her health more intentionally. "That was a huge wake-up call," she admits, noting her pride in maintaining her health while working.
Following her shingles experience, Banks became proactive about vaccinations, getting the shingles vaccine recommended for adults over 50 and advocating for other preventive health measures. Her partnership with Pfizer aims to raise awareness about health risks, particularly highlighting that adults 50 and older face a significantly higher risk of pneumococcal pneumonia.
Perimenopause has been another transformative phase for Banks. She candidly discusses symptoms like brain fog, emotional fluctuations, and moments of intense emotion. "I thought, 'Who is this person inside of me?'" she recalls, emphasizing the importance of speaking with healthcare providers and normalizing these experiences.
The actress has embraced lifestyle changes, including earlier bedtimes, improved nutrition, and more consistent exercise. Turning 50 has brought unexpected clarity, with Banks describing it as a period of professional confidence. "I feel like I'm in my earning period right now," she explains, "where you don't have that imposter syndrome anymore."
Motherhood remains central to Banks' life. Having struggled with infertility, she treasures time with her two teenage sons, including simple moments like dog walks where they share their daily experiences. Her approach to parenting and personal health is deeply intertwined with a desire for longevity and quality time with her family.
"People are worried in middle age about coming down with the things that kill us," Banks says. "We don't want cancer, we don't want heart disease. I want to be around for a long time for my kids."
Banks' openness about health challenges, from infertility to perimenopause, reflects a broader mission of destigmatizing women's health conversations. Her message is clear: seek information, be proactive, and prioritize your well-being.
At 51, Banks recently experienced a challenging bout with shingles that forced her to miss work for the first time in her career. The unexpected illness became a pivotal moment of reflection, prompting her to prioritize her health more intentionally. "That was a huge wake-up call," she admits, noting her pride in maintaining her health while working.
Following her shingles experience, Banks became proactive about vaccinations, getting the shingles vaccine recommended for adults over 50 and advocating for other preventive health measures. Her partnership with Pfizer aims to raise awareness about health risks, particularly highlighting that adults 50 and older face a significantly higher risk of pneumococcal pneumonia.
Perimenopause has been another transformative phase for Banks. She candidly discusses symptoms like brain fog, emotional fluctuations, and moments of intense emotion. "I thought, 'Who is this person inside of me?'" she recalls, emphasizing the importance of speaking with healthcare providers and normalizing these experiences.
The actress has embraced lifestyle changes, including earlier bedtimes, improved nutrition, and more consistent exercise. Turning 50 has brought unexpected clarity, with Banks describing it as a period of professional confidence. "I feel like I'm in my earning period right now," she explains, "where you don't have that imposter syndrome anymore."
Motherhood remains central to Banks' life. Having struggled with infertility, she treasures time with her two teenage sons, including simple moments like dog walks where they share their daily experiences. Her approach to parenting and personal health is deeply intertwined with a desire for longevity and quality time with her family.
"People are worried in middle age about coming down with the things that kill us," Banks says. "We don't want cancer, we don't want heart disease. I want to be around for a long time for my kids."
Banks' openness about health challenges, from infertility to perimenopause, reflects a broader mission of destigmatizing women's health conversations. Her message is clear: seek information, be proactive, and prioritize your well-being.