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'Focus on things you can control': Bollywood star Deepika Padukone to students dealing with exam stress

'Focus on things you can control': Bollywood star Deepika Padukone to students dealing with exam stress

Khaleej Times13-02-2025

Actor Deepika Padukone, who featured on the eighth edition of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Pariksha Pe Charcha programme on Wednesday shared her tips to tackle the exam stress and her success mantra in life.
The Om Shanti Om actress has been open about her journey tackling anxiety and depression. In 2014, she founded the LiveLoveLaugh (LLL) foundation, which helps in creating awareness about mental health, reduces the stigma associated with mental illness, and provides credible mental health resources for the needy.
During an interaction with students on the programme, Padukone told students: "Focus on the things you can control like, 'Am I prepared or not', that's in my control. Feeling stressed the night before? Talk to your parents about it. Talk to your teachers. Identifying the cause of stress and expressing it to somebody you trust. That could be one of the ways of dealing with stress. If I'm meditating or doing exercise. That's in my control."
The actor also recalled her early school days and shared her affinity for extracurricular activities and sports events in school.
"I was a very naughty child. I was always interested in extra-curricular activities... I used to get very excited for fashion, dance and sports day... I am fortunate that my parents didn't pressurise me for good marks... I want to tell the parents that they should recognise their child's potential." said Padukone.
The actor also shared her success mantra with students.
"One is clarity on what you want to do in life. Second, to have that conviction, that I am capable of doing this. I can do it. Will I fail along the way? Will I make mistakes? 100 per cent I will, it's not going to be smooth sailing. And most importantly, have fun," she said.
Advocating mental health through the Pariksha Pe Charcha platform, the actor shared tips for a stress-free life.
"First of all adequate sleep. Sleep is a superpower which is available free of cost. I think sleep is a part of good mental health. Adequate sunlight, going out to get some fresh air. To get some daylight can help with your mental health. Always reach out for help," she said.
She called stress a 'natural' part of life while addressing the exam pressure on students. She asked the students to practice patience regarding the exams and results.
She said, "We can only do what is in our control, we can sleep well, hydrate well, exercise and meditate..."

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