In the last few years, we saw celebrities opening up about their health-related issues and on how they dealt with their medical conditions with utmost perseverance, courage and grace.
Be it for celebrities or for a commoner, coming out open about their health condition is no easy task. A patient is always judged, their habits are analyzed, and free advices are thrown at, leading to all the more confusion and despair.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we bring you the stories of three inspiring women who never shied away from revealing what actually plagued them and how they emerged out as winners.
Sonali Bendre:
In July 2018, Sonali Bendre revealed on a social media post that she has been diagnosed with ‘metastatic cancer’ that stunned the entire nation. The pretty, talented actress who underwent treatment in the US for her condition, documented her battle with the deadly disease on her social media posts and shared her deepest feelings, emotions with the world. Sonali returned to India in December 2018 after getting treated.
In a very recent interview to Vogue, sporting her bald head and a 20-inch scar below her chest, Sonali defined herself as a ‘new normal.’ The actress confessed that during the course of treatment, she battled various emotions, insecurities fears even as she focused on getting better and back home.
Sonali’s Advice:
Find your new normal. It’s very liberating.
How To Prevent Cancer?
Get your annual tests done.
Eat healthy and workout
Lead a stress-free life.
Deepika Padukone:
In an interview with a national newspaper in 2015, Deepika Padukone revealed that she struggled with anxiety and depression. The talented actress confessed that depression made her lose focus, feel empty and directionless, emotional and lost all interested in her work.
A detailed chat with her mother led her to a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with anxiety and depression. She initially resisted taking medication but her parents, doctors encouraged her to tackle depression with the help of counselling and medicines. In the interview, she agreed that medications made her feel better and a two-month break from work to spend time with her family, friends in Bengaluru helped her to recover fully.
Today, out of depression and happily married to Ranveer Singh, the leggy lass has advice.
Deepika’s Advice:
Both mental and physical health are equally important. Don’t be ashamed of speaking about depression, seek help. It works.
How To Deal With Depression:
Seek medical help.
Take medications and get counselled.
Spend time with loved ones, get inspired.
Sara Ali Khan:
Sara Ali Khan might be a relatively new entrant in the Bollywood but is no stranger to celeb life. Daughter of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, Sara’s debut won her many accolades. However, bursting out on to the screen was never easy for her, as she battled obesity and PCOS a few years back.
On the show with Koffee With Karan, Sara revealed about her struggle with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS that affects women in their reproductive age. “I was 96 kgs, had severe PCOS. I still do deal with it. I was obese, putting on a lot of weight because of my eating habits and PCOS. I went to Columbia for further studies and everything changed by the end of the second year. I decided to become an actress and went on a strict diet regimen.”
Sara gave up her heavily cheesed pizzas and switched over to a regular Indian meal. She ate regular dal, roti, chawal, upma, greens, museli, tofus and followed a disciplined workout regimen. Sara spent months pumping iron in the gym, running and lost 30 kilograms in a year.
Sara’s Advice:
Living with PCOS is like a hormonal rollercoaster ride. It messes up your hormones. Do not let it take over your emotions. Talk to doctor, eat healthy, lose weight and be happy always.
How To Deal With PCOS:
Eat healthy, well planned meals.
Exercise regularly to lose weight.
Don’t skip medications.
