Valerie Bertinelli taking 'mental health break' from social media because she's 'emotionally exhausted'

Valerie Bertinelli is setting her phone to "do not disturb." 

After successfully completing a multi-stop book tour celebrating her new cookbook, Indulge, earlier this month, the One Day at a Time alum announced in an Instagram post on Friday that she will be taking a break from social media because she’s “mentally/emotionally exhausted.”

“The last six or so weeks have been…a LOT,” Bertinelli wrote. “And while I am incredibly grateful for all your support for my book and everyone I’ve had the good fortune to meet, this here introvert in extrovert’s clothing is in need of a mental health break.”

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While the former Food Network star acknowledged that she didn’t “need to announce" her departure from the internet, she explained that she chose to issue a public statement because “I just know how some of you worry about me if I don’t post often enough.” She continued, “But I’m good. Honest.”

In fact, Bertinelli said, “Taking a little social media cleanse/detox and a mental health break is a good thing and I’m grateful I’m at a place in my life where I’m aware enough to know when I’m overwhelmed and mentally/emotionally exhausted.”

She ended her post by encouraging everyone to “take care of yourselves" during her absence, adding, “I’ll be back before you know it.” 

Bertinelli kicked off her book tour at the Long Island LitFest in Long Island on April 2. Over the course of the next six weeks, the author held 13 signing events in eight different states across the country. 

She previously reflected on the “kindness" fans showed her during conversations at her Indulge book signings in an April Instagram post, writing, “I just wanted to send out a huge thank-you for supporting me and for all your sweet responses to my life updates.”