Samantha Ruth Prabhu became a voice for many when, in 2022, she opened up about her autoimmune disease, myositis. Since then, the actor has been spreading awareness about the importance of embracing a healthy lifestyle. On World Health Day today, she tells us about what motivated her.

“I am talking as someone who is going through a health condition. I find the need to share my story because you can feel a bit lonely and helpless when you’re facing a health crisis. I understand that people in similar situations need an extra helping hand. So, I am trying to be that,” she says.

The 37-year-old adds, “You really don’t have problems until you have a health issue. Now, I am keen to be the captain of my ship and not a naive passenger listening to others without any control over my life.”

For Samantha, healthy lifestyle has become a way of life. “Even if people assume that I’m making sacrifices for my health, I am not. I enjoy putting my health, body and mind first,” she says, adding, “My greatest flex right now are my health markers which are phenomenal.”

Samantha says that we also need to prioritize mental well-being, and for that, establishing a routine is important. “I can be having a bad day, but if I stick to my routine, I forget any bad thought that might have crept up. We underestimate how powerful certain routines can be. It might seem boring, but in the long run, this is what has helped me,” she shares.