The body always tells you. During a shoot for ‘Single Salma’ in Lucknow, I felt unusually tired and a strange lump in my throat after an intense action sequence. I sat down for a bit, brushed it off, and told myself I’m fine. But something felt off. Around that time, singer KK passed away after suddenly falling ill during a performance. That shook all of us, made us think about health.

I decided to visit a doctor. I went for an ECG and 2D echo and both tests came back normal. I didn’t ignore it, but I didn’t dig deeper. I just assumed everything was fine.

It wasn’t. Months later, in December 2023, I faced a major cardiac episode that would transform my life in ways I hadn’t imagined. I was only in my mid-40s. But physically and emotionally, it changed everything for me. Physically, there are certain precautions I will have to take throughout my life to make sure something like that never happens again. I need to take regular medication, go for follow-ups and checkups, and listen to my doctors.

Emotionally, the impact has been even more profound. I had none of the four risk factors that trigger a heart attack — smoking, drinking, diabetes or hypertension — yet it happened. It brought realization about how uncertain life can be.

But there are many things within our control, and we must take care of those aspects. After an experience like that, you realize your priorities need to change. Your family becomes your number one priority. And to ensure they get quality time with you, you must take care of yourself. That also means sleeping well, for seven-eight hours daily, exercising four to five days a week and eating nutritious, timely meals.

By proper diet, I don’t mean surviving just on salads. I eat everything in moderation. I avoid fried and sugary foods, but I do consume a little ghee. Eating nutritious food is important, but eating on time is even more crucial. Maintain fixed timings for your meals. Have dinner as early as possible as it gives your stomach enough time to digest and rest. The best diet won’t help if your meal timings are erratic.

My earlier discipline of clean eating and regular workouts played a big role in my recovery. I do think the Covid vaccine and post-pandemic health effects may have triggered complications. Still, my active lifestyle helped me bounce back faster. It’s important to understand that nutrition, regular exercise, good sleep and a balanced diet strengthen your body. If it had not been for these habits, things could have been very different. Your body repays the care you give it.

Stress is a part of life. That said, I also believe that we need to learn to manage it. You have to learn to let go of what’s not in your control. I’ve realized that wisdom comes with time, but when someone shares their learnings with you, it is important to listen. Don’t wait for your own crisis to teach you the same thing the hard way.