Your mental well-being is as important as your physical fitness, don’t neglect it: TV celebs

It’s World Mental Health Day today (October 10), and the world over, people are emphasising the importance of mental health and how everyone should prioritise it. On the occasion, we spoke to television celebs who strongly believe that it’s necessary for everyone to take care of their mental well-being just the way they focus on their physical fitness. The pandemic did bring about awareness, but there is still much that needs to be done in this area, they say.

One who goes through the ordeal should talk about it with his friends, colleagues or family. People have forgotten the importance of sharing things with their dear ones. One’s problems can cease if one talks to the right people and seeks help. But first, it is important to realise that one is going through a mental health issue. I usually go for a walk with friends, spend quality time with family and do everything that makes me happy to be mentally fit and keep myself in check.

I don’t think there is enough awareness about mental health and mental health issues. Also, this topic is taboo. It’s high time we understand the subject of mental health and realise that we have to give it importance, just the way we give our physical fitness importance. To keep my mind happy, I take days off to get some rest and go in for a detox. I indulge in physical activities such as gymming and martial arts. Hobbies like painting and learning ballet help me express my feelings.

Not just on World Mental Health Day, one should always talk about these issues. People say that one should seek help when they are going through depression or anxiety, but as family or a friend, why should we wait for them to ask for help when we know that they are not mentally fit. We should take the initiative. I check on people close to me, and they do the same for me. Also, during the pandemic, many people lost their jobs. I feel that they should be called back and given some work, which will help them financially and mentally as well. To keep my mental health in check, I keep myself positive and keep my loved ones close to me... that really helps me.

I feel this is one topic that is not discussed and understood enough. It has many layers to it. Usually, when a person is sad or is sharing their problems, we tend to say that it will all be fine, and some people even make fun of the person for always complaining. But we must understand that this is a serious issue. We need a lot of awareness. We all keep ourselves physically fit by hitting the gym, but what are we doing to be mentally fit? I surround myself with things that are not detrimental to my mental health.

I have been depressed... that was before I joined the industry. The best way to deal with it is to recognise it first and then seek help. I’m a person who expresses my feelings to my close ones. People who don’t express much are more likely to suffer from mental health issues. And people who have already been through such difficult times should try and educate others around them about it.

I remember at the age of 15, I was under tremendous pressure to do well in my studies and that even triggered my epilepsy. I was finally able to control my anxiety with healthy lifestyle choices and the support of my family and friends. Today, people have a better understanding and are comparatively a little more sensitive towards mental health issues, but I think more people should address this issue and understand that it’s okay to seek help from friends, family and doctors. I try to live a healthy life by having a routine where I exercise regularly. I make sure that I spend enough time with myself and my family, and also try to stay relaxed and positive. That makes a lot of difference.

Lately, people have been feeling stressed due to multiple reasons in life. For some, it’s the uncertainty of their profession, which gives them stress. But now there is uncertainty in almost all professions, so we all have to learn to live with it. One thing I have realised over time is that if I manage my personal life well then automatically the professional life gets balanced. One can deal better with problems if he/she is settled in their personal life. So, I stay close to my family and make efforts here... that keeps me mentally at peace and happy.

In the last decade, people have started talking about mental health and are creating awareness. This makes me happy. There are many reasons due to which one might slip into depression. Lately, I see people suffering from anxiety and depression when they are not performing well in their respective careers, or life may not be going the way they imagined it. I appreciate Deepika Padukone, who spoke about depression, and I feel more people should come out and talk about it, which will create awareness. That’s when people will realise that it is okay to talk about these things. Meditation really helps me, and I have changed myself a lot by practising it.