It's the fourth consecutive day of rain in Los Angeles, and Hayden Panettiere, clad in a white sweatshirt and sweatpants, is lighting candles in the guest room of her apartment before cozying up underneath a blanket. The 33-year-old actor has owned this home since she was 16 years old-one of her first big purchases after moving from New York to L.A. and landing the role of Claire on the hit NBC series Heroes.
"This is the last place my family lived all together," she says of her parents and younger brother, Jansen. Hayden moved multiple times over the past 15 years, including relocating to Tennessee to film the TV show Nashville. But she always held on to this place. Recently, she's been renovating it into her personal sanctuary since returning to L.A. after a four-year hiatus from acting. "I've completely redone it," she beams, looking over her shoulder at two black-and-white prints she brought back from Montreal, where she shot Scream 6. She's particularly fond of the lighting she installed-bulbs that change color to suit your mood. Now, they're pink and yellow for warmth. "It feels like home," she says.
There's no missing the symbolism: This homecoming isn't simply about a place. For Hayden, it's a state of mind, a return to her roots to herself-after years of struggling with postpartum depression and substance abuse and giving up custody of her daughter, Kaya, to her ex, retired pro boxer Wladimir Klitschko. Hayden admits she's nervous to do a cover tied to a movie release-it's been awhile. But she says it's important to her. "A lot of people feel stuck," she says. "I want to let them know they're not alone." Plus, she has decades of experience to guide her.
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Women's Health US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Women's Health US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Super Bowls
Introducing the WH game plan for nutrient-packed mixes of healthy goodness
Protein Upgrade
Six ingredients, two sheet pans, one stellar chicken dinner for the fam
How to Fly Without Fear
Trying to stay calm on a bumpy airplane? WH asked experts for the best tips and tricks to quell flight anxiety.
Mantra Magic
Sometimes, all it takes is one little phrase to smash your goals.
be a force
These five trainers each built a following by forging their own path in the wellness world. Now they're coleading the Women's Health Flex Challenge, 28 days of workouts you can customize for your unique goals. They're proof that strength comes in many forms— and they're here to help you unlock it within yourself. Let's go!
This Is Your Brain on Menopause
Jessica Shepherd, MD, a WH advisor, explains how your mind shifts during this body-altering phase in this excerpt from her book, Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause.
HOW WE HEALTH-CARE NOW
The whooooolllllle landscape has changed. Finally— finally-here is your everything guide to all the new services you keep hearing about, and how to game the system to get the care you need.
LIGHT THERAPY
You've seen those LED face masks on social media and may be wondering, \"Do they work?\" The answer is more than a simple \"yes.\" In fact, experts are just beginning to understand how this energy and the sun's rays profoundly impact skin.
Scent Energy
How one mystical aroma has made a comeback as a modern-day \"wellness fragrance.\" WH explores the power of palo santo.
The New Sleep Guide of Your Dreams
Experts' rules of rest have shifted a lot—what to know now.