Deepika Padukone talks mental health and success at Pariksha Pe Charcha

Conviction, clarity, prioritising sleep, expressing instead of suppressing yourself, meditation, exercise, and some fun were the tips shared by Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone with students to overcome stress during their examinations as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Pariksha Pe Charcha" (PPC) initiative on Wednesday.

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For the first time, the eighth edition of PPC has been held in a podcast-style format, featuring multiple episodes where the country's well-known personalities will offer advice on handling exam pressure.

Padukone's episode today was part of PPC's segment focused on emotional well-being and self-expression of students for their exams.

Sharing her personal experience, Padukone said mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression, can happen to anybody. Quoting from PM Modi's book "Exam Warriors," she said it is essential to "express, never suppress."

Padukone said she herself suffered from depression while living alone in Mumbai, and it was her mother who, after visiting her from Bengaluru, took her to a psychologist.

"It really takes a lot of weight off your shoulders," Padukone told students while sharing her personal experience.

Talking about the importance of mental health for students during examinations, she said, "And when you are preparing for exams in particular, you start feeling better. You feel like you can focus on your exams because you feel like you have spoken about your issues, and you are able to just focus and live a healthier and better life."

She emphasised that it is essential for students to express themselves, which is "equal to a healthier, better life."

On the occasion, a short video about Padukone's "Live Love Laugh" foundation working on free mental health in the country was showcased to the students. Answering students' queries about pressure and success in examinations, Padukone said students should focus on things they can control.

"Identify the problem and express it with someone you trust," she said. She also said students should follow exercise and meditation, which can help them manage stress during their exams. For success, Padukone told students that it is essential to have clarity in life about what one wants to achieve. Besides, she said conviction is important in one's life, and it is important to understand that life would not always be a "smooth surface."

"There would be failures. The challenge is how you overcome those failures," she said.

"Also have some fun," she added as students had some light moments. She also told students to have a good sleep, since "it is a superpower," adequate sunlight, fresh air, and always reach out for help for their mental well-being. In order to excel in exams, she advised students to focus on their strengths and work on their weaknesses.

"Making comparisons with others is not bad. Compete with yourself. The focus should be on doing things better and in a different way," she said. She also held a brief activity with students where she engaged them with writing their strengths on paper. The students on the occasion were jubilant to find a Bollywood actress, Padukone, their teacher for a brief time.