Deepika Padukone opens up about burnout and sleep deprivation as a new mom: ‘It affects my decision-making’

Deepika Padukone, who welcomed her baby daughter in September 2024, recently opened up about her struggles with burnout and sleep deprivation. The Kalki 2898 AD actress shared her experience during the Live Love Laugh Foundation Lecture Series held on World Mental Health Day 2024.

Deepika Padukone, who welcomed her baby daughter in September 2024, recently opened up about her struggles with burnout and sleep deprivation. The Kalki 2898 AD actress shared her experience during the Live Love Laugh Foundation Lecture Series held on World Mental Health Day 2024.
During the conversation, Deepika revealed how sleep deprivation has been affecting her mental health and decision-making abilities as a new mother.

In a video shared by Quint on YouTube, she explained, “When you are sleep-deprived or burnt out the decisions that you make and I think sometimes I can actually feel it. I know on particular days when I am feeling stressed or burnt out because I haven’t slept enough or practice my self-care rituals…I can tell that my decision-making is getting affected to some extent,” she said.

In the same series, Deepika shared her thoughts on managing extreme emotions and criticism. She mentioned that experiencing pain or anger is a natural part of life and emphasized the importance of using criticism constructively. The actress, who recently became a mother, also highlighted that adapting to such challenges takes time and should not be expected to happen instantly.

Deepika’s journey with mental health advocacy began in 2014, when she herself battled depression. In 2015, she founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation to spread awareness about mental health issues, a cause she has continued to champion throughout her career.
Deepika is married to Ranveer Singh, and the couple, who tied the knot in November 2018 at Villa del Balbianello in Lake Como, Italy, became parents to their baby daughter on September 8, 2024.

Recently, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone opened up about experiencing burnout and sleep deprivation in her new role as a mother. In an honest and vulnerable conversation, she shed light on how these challenges are not only taking a toll on her physical and mental well-being but also affecting her decision-making abilities. While she has always been known for her grace under pressure, Padukone candidly shared how motherhood, though deeply rewarding, comes with a new set of challenges that she had not fully anticipated.

Padukone’s admission resonates with many new mothers worldwide who struggle to balance personal and professional lives while adapting to the demands of parenting. For Deepika, sleep deprivation has been one of the hardest parts of this transition. Lack of proper rest, she explained, not only disrupts her daily routines but also impacts her ability to make clear and thoughtful decisions, whether related to her career, parenting, or personal life. Sleep is essential for emotional regulation, cognitive function, and overall health, and its absence can lead to poor decision-making and mental fatigue.

In the entertainment industry, where constant high performance and perfection are often expected, Deepika’s openness is a breath of fresh air. It highlights the importance of mental health and work-life balance, even for someone at the pinnacle of their career. Her acknowledgment of burnout is a reminder that no one is immune to exhaustion, regardless of their fame or success. She encourages other mothers to recognize their limits, to be gentle with themselves, and to seek support when needed.

Burnout, which is increasingly recognized as a serious mental health concern, affects people across all sectors and walks of life. It can manifest through emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. In Padukone’s case, the compounding pressures of being a new mother and continuing her professional commitments have pushed her to reflect deeply on how she manages her time and energy.

Moreover, her discussion around mental health is significant because Deepika has long been a vocal advocate for mental well-being. Her openness about her struggles with depression in the past made waves in India, where mental health is often considered a taboo subject. Through her foundation, The Live Love Laugh Foundation, she continues to work towards raising awareness and destigmatizing mental illness.

The added pressures of motherhood have, in many ways, brought her back to a more personal conversation about mental health and self-care. She emphasizes that it’s essential for mothers, and women in general, to take care of their own well-being while taking care of others. Through sharing her story, she hopes to inspire other women to prioritize their mental health, seek help if they need it, and avoid the trap of “doing it all” without adequate rest and support.

Deepika Padukone’s brave and candid revelations not only provide a deeper insight into the struggles faced by many new mothers but also shine a light on the importance of sleep, mental health, and recognizing the signs of burnout. Her journey serves as an important reminder for everyone, particularly women juggling multiple roles, to take time for themselves amidst the chaos of everyday life.