New Delhi, Jan. 20 -- I'll admit, I haven't always made my mental health a priority. Fitness and physical health were always at the top of my list, but it took me a while to realize that mental wellness needs just as much care. For years, I thrived on being constantly busy, working on new projects, travelling for shoots, juggling motherhood. I was always in motion, convinced that if I wasn't doing more, I wasn't doing enough. But eventually, I learned the hard way that rest isn't optional. It is essential.

Taking time off comes with guilt, especially for women - guilt about missing opportunities while relaxing, guilt for taking time for our selves, guilt for not always being available for others. I used to think, 'How can I afford to res...