This is a balancing act that many women navigate every day. The pressure to excel at work, nurture our families, and maintain our homes can feel overwhelming. But through my journey, I’ve learned that managing these demands requires embracing the art of prioritization and being willing to ask for help.

For too long, many of us have believed that we must handle everything on our own. 

We hesitate to ask for support because we think it makes us appear weak. But the truth is, seeking help is a sign of strength. Involving our partners and families in household tasks and leaning on our colleagues at work not only eases our load but also empowers us to focus on what really matters.

As leaders, it’s our responsibility to recognize the unique challenges women in our organizations face. We can’t just acknowledge these struggles; we need to create environments that truly support and uplift women. Mental wellbeing isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Here are five advanced strategies that leaders can implement to promote women’s mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Ritika Arora, Co-founder and COO, Manah Wellness shares advanced strategies for promoting well-being for women in workplace.

1. Integrate Mental Health into Policies and Practices

Mental health should be explicitly mentioned in organizational policies and incorporated into daily practices. This includes offering generous paid time off, flexible work hours, and fostering healthy communication norms. Regular pulse surveys can be used to measure female employee engagement, retention, and mental health dimensions, making it clear that the organization prioritizes women’s mental wellbeing. Additionally, encouraging women employees to conduct annual mental health self-assessments—similar to physicals or performance reviews—can help individuals evaluate their mental wellbeing and access targeted resources for support.

2. Develop Organizational Support Groups

Creating women-led support groups or mental health employee resource groups can be incredibly powerful. These groups provide safe spaces for women to share their experiences, challenges, and successes. Knowing that you’re not alone and that others understand your struggles fosters a sense of community and connection, which is vital for mental wellbeing. These groups not only provide emotional support but also create networks that can help women navigate the complexities of their professional and personal lives.

3. Prioritize Flexibility in the Workplace

Flexibility is crucial for supporting women’s mental health. Whether it’s remote work, flexible hours, or the ability to take time off for personal matters, leaders should build as much flexibility as possible into policies and practices. It’s also important for leaders to model these behaviors themselves, demonstrating that it’s okay to prioritize self-care and set boundaries. When women see their leaders valuing work-life balance, they are more likely to do the same, reducing stress and preventing burnout.

4. Communicate Available Resources Effectively

Even when mental health resources are available, many employees may not be aware of them. Leaders, particularly women, should actively communicate the availability of these resources and share their own experiences to encourage others to seek help without fear of stigma. Whether it’s through newsletters, team meetings, or one-on-one conversations, ensuring that all employees are informed about available support is essential for fostering a culture of wellbeing.

5. Encourage Boundary-Setting and Unplugging

Promoting the importance of drawing boundaries and unplugging from work is essential for mental health. Leaders can encourage practices such as not checking emails after work hours, prioritizing important tasks, and silencing work-related messages during personal time. Some companies have even implemented policies that restrict work-related communication after hours to help employees fully disconnect and recharge.

In today’s fast-paced world, mental health has become an essential component of overall well-being, but it is sometimes disregarded. While many things influence mental health, one of the most potent and often overlooked is nutrition. The food we eat not only fuels our bodies, but also has a huge impact on our brains, influencing our mood, cognition, and emotional resilience.

Simrat Kathuria the CEO and Head Dietitian at The Diet Xperts shares the role of nutrition in mental health.

The brain is an energy-intensive organ that needs a steady supply of nourishment to function properly. A diet high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats is critical for optimum mental health. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are often present in fish, nuts, and seeds, play an important role in brain function and have been associated to reduced feelings of sadness and anxiety. These fatty acids help to maintain mind structure of cells and facilitate good neuron transmission, both of which are essential for mood control.

Vitamins and minerals play an important role in mental wellness. B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, and folate, are required for the creation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which control mood and emotions. Deficiencies in these vitamins can cause sadness, weariness, and irritability. Similarly, nutrients such as magnesium and zinc are essential for brain function. Magnesium helps to relax the nervous system and is known to lessen anxiety, whereas zinc aids cognitive function and has been associated to lower levels of depression.

Antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables protect the brain from oxidative stress, which can damage brain cells and cause mental health issues. A diet high in colorful fruits and vegetables can help prevent the onset of illnesses such as sadness and anxiety by lowering inflammation and boosting general brain health.

Bad eating habits, on the other hand, can harm one’s mental health. Diets heavy in processed foods, sweets, and unhealthy fats can cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which have been related to an increased risk of depression and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, these meals can upset the balance of gut bacteria, which is becoming recognized as an important factor in mental health. The gut-brain axis, a complex communication network that connects the digestive tract and the brain, is important for mood regulation and emotional well-being.

When it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, Akshay Kumar stands as a living example of discipline and commitment. Even at 57, he radiates energy, performing stunts that many younger actors find challenging. His approach to fitness is all about simplicity, consistency, and a balanced life, which is why he’s an inspiration for anyone looking to live a healthy life. Here are some of the key health lessons Akshay Kumar practices, that we should also adopt in our lives.

Discipline is the foundation of fitness

Instagram/akshaykumar

For Akshay Kumar, fitness is not a temporary goal; it’s a lifestyle. His discipline towards staying fit, day in and day out, sets him apart. The secret lies in accountability – he sets fitness goals and holds himself accountable, even on days when motivation might be low, as per media reports. While it’s okay to take a rest day occasionally, it’s essential to return to the routine without guilt or negativity. Mimicking Akshay’s level of discipline might not be easy, but creating a simple workout schedule and sticking to it can help build a foundation of discipline.

Make sleep your best friend

Akshay Kumar is known for being strict about his sleep routine. He generally gives rest as a crucial part of fitness. After all, muscles grow and repair when we sleep, so he ensures he gets quality rest. Akshay goes to bed early which is typically by 9 PM, and wakes up before sunrise around 5:30 AM. This routine allows his body to recover fully. This help to give him a boost of energy for the day ahead. Taking inspiration from Akshay’s approach, we can also prioritize sleep by setting a consistent bedtime, aiming for at least 7-8 hours each night.

Eat everything (but keep it natural)

In an atmosphere dominated by rigorous diet trends, Akshay’s food attitude is refreshingly simple: he eats anything he wants as long as it’s natural and free of toxins. He does not eliminate entire food groups, but rather follows a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Akshay receives all the nutrients his body requires without restriction by consuming foods that are similar to their natural states. For those wishing to follow this, try to include a variety of nutritious foods into your diet while avoiding processed meals.

Age is just a number

Akshay Kumar’s fitness at 57 proves that age is just a number. Whether he’s performing high-octane stunts or training rigorously, he shows us that fitness isn’t bound by age. His lifestyle teaches us that with the right habits, we can stay active and agile throughout our lives. This lesson is a gentle reminder that it’s never too late to start prioritising your health. Whether you’re 20 or 50, taking those first steps towards a healthy lifestyle will have lasting benefits. Start small – maybe with a daily walk or a 10-minute workout – and gradually build your strength and endurance.

Take care of your mental health

For Akshay Kumar, fitness goes beyond just physical training – it’s about mental well-being too. He believes in practices like meditation and staying connected with nature. This balanced approach keeps him centred and reduces stress, which is just as essential to health as exercise. Integrating mindfulness into your daily life, whether through meditation, a few minutes of quiet time, or a walk outdoors, can greatly improve your overall health. By practising mindfulness, you can maintain mental clarity and reduce stress, which is beneficial for both physical and mental fitness.

We all know that regular exercise can help us avoid illnesses and achieve a perfect body and mind. Yet when it comes to setting an exercise routine or following the right practices, we tend to make certain mistakes that can leave us anxious. Weight loss is a long and arduous journey, and cannot be achieved with workouts alone. It’s important not to overdo exercise and take care of nutrition in order to achieve the desired results.

Here are 5 exercising mistakes that can cause anxiety:

Overtraining

If you want a good physique and to look fit and attractive, you should follow a routine and stick to it.Pushing yourself to the gym seven days a week won’t benefit you. It will only harm your body. Pushing yourself beyond limits is not the smart thing to do; it can impact your physical and mental health. One should always rest, as it will not only help muscles recover but also prevent burnout. A study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that overtraining negatively impacts the autonomic nervous system, which can increase symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Not taking proper diet

In our busy and occupied schedule, we often forget to take care of our health and may skip having lunch or dinner just because we don’t feel like it. If you are exercising, it is extremely important to eat a proper diet and nutritious food; otherwise, it can harm your mental health, lead to fatigue, and exhaust you emotionally and physically, which can lead to anxiety. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2018 found that low diet intake was linked to increased anxiety levels.

Not stretching

If you go to the gym or exercise a lot, it is extremely important to stretch before you start training your body. If you don’t do your stretching pre- or post-workout, it can make your body stiff and cause body pain, muscle cramps, and headaches. Stretching is very important to keep your body flexible and avoid any physical or emotional burnout. According to the Journal of Physical Therapy Science in 2018, regular stretching exercises improved mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Challenging your capacity

One should always listen to their body; your body is not a robot; it needs rest, food, water, and enough sleep to function properly. Challenging your capacity won’t make you physically fit; when your body gives you signals, it is telling you to slow down, take rest, or it may cause injury. It can create physical and mental stress.

Not getting enough sleep

Exercise, gym, and sports are the best ways to keep fit; they will help you increase your stamina and keep you healthy. Many people who are managing the gym and their busy schedule together often can’t get enough sleep. It can be very harmful to your body; it can cause anxiety and fatigue. A 2019 study published in Nature Human Behavior by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that sleep deprivation can significantly increase anxiety levels.

In the last couple of decades, there has been a big focus on physical health. It has now become common for apartment buildings to have fitness centers. Many large corporate offices will also have games and fitness centers. Many of us now take great care not to consume that much sugar, cut back on junk food and in general, try to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

However, mental health plays a big role in physical health as well as shared by Deepak Sahni, Founder of Healthians.

Data indicates that chronic stress is increasing among today’s youth. GenZ and MIllennials in particular are much more stressed out compared to any other generation. A survey conducted by India’s largest insurer revealed that 77% of Indians display at least one sign of stress on a regular basis. The report also showed that levels of workplace wellness have gone down over the past few years, particularly among GenZ and women. 

Countless studies show that mental and physical health are closely linked. Mental stress can lead to a higher risk for ailments such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. 

Why is Stress Increasing?

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has played a huge role in rising levels of stress among people. 

First of all, the pandemic forced people to stay indoors and miss out on the socialization that is vital to good mental health. 

Secondly, the impact on the economy was such that many people were laid off and job insecurity increased. This has ended up making our workplaces highly competitive. As a result, many youngsters feel obligated to prove themselves at the workplace not because they want to do well but because they fear losing their job.

At the same time, people from the younger generation also face other sources of stress. Social media usage is at an all-time high among younger generations. Data shows that GenZ spends an average of 45 minutes per day on Instagram – that’s a good 6 hours every week. 

Research has shown that social media negatively affects the mental health of people. Why is that? Social media paints a false picture of someone’s life. When we see photos from a friend or an acquaintance’s vacation, night out or a family celebration, we only see the positive moments from their life. This can make us feel like our life is not as interesting or fun, whereas the truth is that everybody goes through problems. 

But social media makes it possible for people to present a picture perfect version of their life, even though that may not be the whole truth.

How can you protect your mental health?

Firstly, identify the sources of stress in your life. Is it a result of physical ailments? If that is the case, you should work on improving your physical health. There is well established research that physical health and mental health both go hand-in-hand. When one improves, usually the other does as well.

If it is due to emotional stress, don’t shame yourself. One of the biggest reasons people suffer in silence is because they are afraid of appearing weak or vulnerable. There is no harm in admitting that you are going through a tough time, whether it is at work or at home or personally. When you recognise the source of the problem, you will automatically find ways to resolve it.

These days, therapy is a lot more accessible and is not considered as taboo as it used to be. There are also many free online resources for understanding emotions and learning how to deal with stress.

If overwork is the source of your stress, then learn how to say no. At the same time, workplaces also need to make it easier for employees to come out and voice their concerns.

Nothing is as important as your health

Research shows that our brains are highly malleable, no matter what age we’re at. That’s why it’s never too late to start improving upon your mental and emotional health. 

CNN
 — 

Monica Puig won more than 300 matches during her tennis career and the feeling afterwards was often the same: relief, excitement, and satisfaction that the weeks and months of sacrifice and preparation had paid off.

Today, exactly a year after shoulder issues forced her to retire aged 28, Puig is still able to revisit some of those winning emotions without picking up a tennis racket or stepping foot on a court.

She’s turned to running marathons – first in New York City, then in Boston and London on back-to-back weekends earlier this year and is already halfway towards her goal of completing all six of the world’s marathon majors by the end of 2024.

“Every time I cross the finish line of a marathon and I get a new personal best time, I get emotional, I’ve cried,” Puig tells CNN Sport.

“I’ve just felt in awe of what I’ve been doing because I could easily just be sitting on the couch crying and feeling sorry for myself. But I tried to channel all of that energy that I have towards whatever I had been feeling about my career into something more productive.”

Completing a marathon, Puig says, feels “very similar and very different” to winning a tennis match. With tennis, the stakes felt higher when rankings points, global recognition, and prize money were on the line.

But the sense of personal satisfaction she gets from running has endured, helping to ease the lingering pain of her retirement from tennis.

“It’s more about showing myself that I didn’t let myself fall into this big black hole of depression and sadness when I had to finish my career so early,” Puig adds.

“I was able to pick myself back up and find something else that motivates me to get out of bed every day, that motivates me to continue to be strong, fit, and have fun at the same time.”

Puig reached a career-high ranking of No. 27 in the world and won one WTA Tour title in 2014. Her crowning moment arrived two years later when she won Olympic gold in Rio – Puerto Rico’s first-ever gold medal at the Games.

As a tennis player, Puig always saw running as a form of punishment – never enjoyment. It became a means to clear her head when she was rehabbing from injuries and, over time, she started to increase the distance of her runs – three miles became five, five became eight, then eight became half and full marathons.

Now, Puig has also set her sights on competing in triathlons, as well as running the remaining marathon majors in Chicago, Berlin, and Tokyo. Her first half Ironman – a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run – is in Augusta, Georgia, in September, and she plans to race another back home in Puerto Rico next year.

An amateur runner and triathlete, it’s a sharp transition from her life as one of the best tennis players in the world, though Puig thinks her experience of the latter has benefited the former.

“You are competing against yourself,” she says of all three disciplines, “you are your biggest enemy or supporter out there. What you think can either push you or it can limit you.

“In tennis, I’m not going to say my mental fortitude was my strength because a lot of the time I didn’t know how to deal with negative thoughts, but I feel like everybody matures at their own time mentally.

“Doing the marathons and triathlon has really helped my mentality to grow and to develop this can-do attitude towards everything that I do. It’s also thanks to tennis that I have a certain discipline … All of that discipline has really helped me to stay in shape and stay true to my goals.”

Elbow surgery in 2019 followed by three shoulder surgeries in three years ultimately signaled the end to Puig’s tennis career. She played her first match since 2020 at the Madrid Open last year, but the shoulder problems persisted.

There were times, Puig says, that she couldn’t sleep on the affected side, such was the pain in her shoulder. Moreover, the mental toll of constant rehab and almost four years away from regularly competing on the tour was starting to mount.

“It felt like I was pushing a stone up a mountain and the stone kept squashing me as I kept getting further and further,” says Puig.

“I obviously believed that I could come back, I believed in myself enough. Last year, I had full intention of playing again competitively.

“But when I saw my surgeon after the last time I was on the court, he said, ‘Look, I have to be honest with you, your shoulder – it’s not doing well. And we can’t just keep opening up your shoulder to fix it every single time it goes wrong.”

Not ready to walk away from tennis entirely, Puig still hopes to play exhibition matches in the future. She returned to the practice court recently and had to temper expectations from fans, who interpreted footage posted on social media as the start of a competitive comeback.

But Puig has remained involved with the sport as a broadcaster, enabling her to engage with the game in a different way compared to her playing days.

“When I commentate or I’m watching matches, I’ve noticed that my understanding of the game has gotten a lot better,” she says. “I feel like I’m smarter and I can see things, I can notice things. I study the game a lot better than when I was playing.

“My understanding for tennis has grown and I wish that I was still playing so I could implement some of the things that I see and have that knowledge translate onto what I do on the court.”

Puig adds that she still misses tennis, particularly when she watches her contemporaries thrive at grand slams.

With her shoulder never going to be as it was prior to the surgeries, she’s come to accept her body’s limitations and is honing her swimming technique to withstand the rigors of Ironman-distance triathlons.

“I’ve learned to handle my shoulder in a different way and knowing that, if there is pain, then it’s okay to stop, it’s okay to take a break, it’s okay to say that you’re not feeling 100%,” says Puig.

“Usually, when I was trying to come back last year, I would play through pain and that wasn’t necessarily something that felt very good. It was very challenging and involved a lot of tears.”

What she has instead developed over the past year is “a new life” and “a new way of doing things.”

“I want to continue to do this for my whole life; I see people well into their fifties, sixties, still doing triathlon and doing Ironman,” says Puig.

“That’s something that I want to continue to do … I don’t know how far I’ll get or anything like that, but the sky’s the limit.”

Imagine watching a water bottle falling and your immediate thought is that your best friend would trip on it, hurt themselves or die in a freak incident. Or when your hands brush past someone you fancy, instead of feeling the thrill of attraction, you withdraw in horror — scared, panicked, teary-eyed. While these might not be the regular reactions of someone with a healthy brain, many amongst us, suffering from mental distress and anxiety battle this every day.

This World Mental Health Day, Sony Liv has dropped a new anthology series with six standalone stories on various mental distresses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.

What makes this show distinct from typical ones that touch upon real-life issues, is that it ditches cinematic dramatization and information overload for a realistic portrayal of how these issues affect the everyday lives of humans. The setup is relatable, and it feels that we’ve met these characters around us.

In these six different stories about mental health, we see a corporate employee fretting about calories, a teenage boy being bullied in his village, and a man cutting off his friends after an ugly breakup. While some of the stories start right from the distressing symptoms, others gradually ease into it.

Shivani Raghuvanshi suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder in Malika Kumar’s The Daily Puppet Show (Episode 6)

The show presses on the commonality of such issues and how easily we undermine the numbers. It makes a careful choice to pick up stories across the economic strata, from financially struggling families and middle-class abodes to the upper middle-class and well-to-do clans. Although the show doesn’t delve into the deeper details of disorders, with each episode spanning roughly half an hour, it gives a fair idea of what it’s like to live with a specific mental health disorder.

The story that I found the strongest was Sahaan Hattangadi’s Purple Duniya. The writing and the performances shine in this unpredictable tale. Two minutes into the episode, we see a purple rubber duck floating in an apartment, flooded with water, vibing to rave music. Okay, Hattangadi, you have my full attention.

We then meet our actual protagonist, Raag (Tanmay Dhanania), a 30-year-old who lost his job and was dumped by his fiancé a few months ago. Since then, he has isolated himself and doesn’t pick up the calls of his friends and family. Sounds dark? Well, here’s the twist: he is happy, energetic, and super chill. He sees the world around him in the colour of purple — traffic lights, nameplates, and even trucks — as he snakes through the roads on his bike at questionably high speeds and keeps zoning out.

Tanmay Dhanania’s Purple Duniya (Episode 2) is an interesting representation of mental health issues in modern times

Throughout the episode, I found myself googling, trying to decode the issue the episode was dealing with. The story kept me invested throughout and surprised me towards the end. I wish I could tell more, but anything that I say now would be a spoiler.

My next favourite was Sumeet Vyas’s Caged, helmed by Danny Mamik along with Hattangadi. Here we see the unlikely bond between Vyas, the city-returned son of the wealthiest man in the village, and a shy teenage boy played by Mohammad Samad Tumbbad. The latter gets bullied around and is heavily misunderstood and lonely. He wants to study literature, but his parents are forcing him to take up medicine as a career.

Mohammad Samad has given one of the finest performances in the show

Both these characters are wrapped in inhibitions of their own and find solace in each other’s company. The entire episode is poetic and well-written. Samad’s performance is one of the best in the entire series. His emotions, inner struggles, and suffocation resonate though the screen.

Next was Shreyas Talpade’s Swagatam, where he is suffering from schizophrenia. He no longer has a job, is supported by his wife, and lives in a constant paranoia of someone chasing him. His condition hasn’t advanced so much that he hallucinates, but he can’t be left unattended and spends the day with a help group during the day.

Sukriti Tyagi’s story gives a careful portrayal of schizophrenic patients, treating them as humans. The condition is portrayed through near visual trickery, too. All the scenes with Talpade have a dull yellowish tint to them. As soon as he exits the screen, everything is brightly lit and lively. Swagatam also excels in showing the struggles of families of schizophrenic patients, who suffer physical, emotional, social, and financial tolls. And while the story’s momentum keeps ebbing, Tyagi’s treatment of the subject is entertaining and informative.

Shweta Basu Prasad has done an impressive portrayal of a PTSD patient in Aditya Sarpotdar’s Bhanwar (Episode 3)

Shweta Basu Prasad and Priya Bapat’s performances were the highlights of the anthology. Both women, one from a village and the other from the city, dread intimacy. They cry, shiver and even go breathless at the touch of the opposite gender. They play women suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and their portrayal is one of the best I’ve seen in recent films on the subject. I wish their episode — Bhanwar — knew more about what to do with these amazing artists.

Zindaginama has good intentions but isn’t able to keep up the momentum. While some stories will speak to you effortlessly, others will fail to keep you invested. The latter ones feel like an unfinished job, with a random slice of someone’s life being presented. Despite tackling important themes and lesser-known aspects of mental health issues tactfully, the show falters in execution. Films and television shows with social messages — especially such sensitive ones — need to walk a thin line, balancing facts and information with entertainment, so they don’t seem preachy. That’s how you keep people glued while raising awareness about a taboo subject. Because what’s the point of an informational show if an ignorant person gets bored and turns it off?

And it doesn’t help that the quality of tone of the six stories oscillate wildly with each episode. While I really want to recommend a few stories out of the anthology, the rest can be easily skipped. Nevertheless, Zindaginama is an earnest attempt at normalising mental health issues and humanising people who suffer from them, and it deserves appreciation for the same.

Overall Rating: 6/10

Episodic Rating:

Purple Duniya: 3.5/5

Caged: 3/5

Swagatam: 2.5/5

Bhanwar: 2.5/5

Puppet Show: 2/5

One Plus One: 2/5

Anxiety is an often misunderstood mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is more than just feeling nervous or worried; anxiety can manifest in constant fear, tension, and unease. These feelings can arise from a variety of triggers, such as work pressure, social situations, or even everyday tasks, making it hard to focus or relax.

Symptoms of Anxiety

The symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person, but they typically include a mix of emotional and physical responses. Emotional symptoms may include constant worry, racing thoughts, or feeling overwhelmed. On the physical side, individuals may experience a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can make daily life difficult, affecting work, relationships, and personal well-being.

The Invisible Battle

One of the most challenging aspects of anxiety is that it often goes unnoticed. Many people battling anxiety keep it hidden, masking their struggles behind smiles or maintaining a busy schedule. This “invisible” nature makes it harder for others to recognize the signs and offer support. The stigma surrounding mental health further prevents open conversations about anxiety, making the battle feel even more isolating.

Managing Anxiety

Though living with anxiety is difficult, there are ways to manage it. Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, can help reduce anxious feelings. Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and sufficient sleep are also important for maintaining mental well-being. For those facing severe anxiety, talking to a mental health professional, counselor, or therapist can provide much-needed guidance and coping strategies.

Breaking the Silence

Acknowledging anxiety and seeking help is the first step towards healing. By opening up conversations around anxiety and mental health, we create a more supportive environment for those struggling. The silent struggle against anxiety can be faced with strength and resilience, and no one has to fight it alone.

(This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by  qualified medical professionals.)

CNN
 — 

Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka intends to return to professional tennis in 2024, the 25-year-old said in an interview with ESPN on Wednesday.

The four-time major champion – who welcomed a baby girl in July with her boyfriend, rapper Cordae – said she plans to play a busy schedule next year.

“It’s definitely way more tournaments than I used to play,” Osaka told ESPN. “So, I think some people will be happy with that.”

“I think it’s because I realized that I don’t know how the beginning of the year is going to go for me. I don’t know the level of play and I think I have to ease into it. So at the very least, I’m going to set myself up for a very good end of the year,” Osaka said.

Osaka, who has not played since the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022, has previously said she planned to return to tennis in 2024 for the Australian Open, a tournament she has won on two previous occasions.

Osaka was asked if her break from tennis made her miss it, to which she responded “definitely.”

“I’ve been watching matches and I’m like, ‘I wish I was playing too,’” Osaka said. “But I’m in this position now and I’m very grateful. I really love my daughter a lot, but I think it really fueled a fire in me.”

Osaka took some time away from competitive tennis and made several highly publicized disclosures about her struggles with mental health following an incident in 2021, where she was visibly stressed and emotional while addressing the media during a mandatory news conference at Roland Garros.

She subsequently pulled out of the French Open that year and revealed she had “suffered long bouts of depression” since winning her first major championship in 2018.

Osaka was in attendance at the US Open in New York on Wednesday. She also participated the same day in a forum on mental health at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, joined by USA Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Dr. Brian Hainline, chairman of the US Tennis Association’s board and NCAA chief medical officer.

Osaka said she learned a lot from talking about her experiences with mental health and becoming an advocate for mental health awareness.

“I feel like I am someone that’s learning all the time. Obviously, I learned a lot from the talk as I was talking,” Osaka said. “I would say my role is just raising awareness and letting people know that they’re not alone.

“Physical pain and mental pain are sort of the same to me. We have doctors for physical health but when we talk about mental health it’s not as well received, so just raising awareness on that.”

She was also asked about her comments previously that she felt “lonely” while she was pregnant.

“I definitely only know this world, the tennis world,” Osaka said. “Just being away from that for a long time, it was new for me. I think it was just the new situation and not being able to train like I wanted to, it made me feel like I would just stay at home. … It felt like a lot of restrictions.”