Mumbai: Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu has opened up about the morning routine she follows every day, describing it as a non-negotiable part of her life that helps her feel mentally balanced and manage a demanding schedule.
Speaking at an event hosted by ZOY, the healthy period-care brand founded by the actor, Samantha revealed that her routine lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. She said she has tried several wellness practices over the years before settling on habits that work best for her.
The Maa Inti Bangaram star explained that she follows the routine regardless of where she is or how busy her schedule becomes.
“It really, really balances my nervous system. If I look like I am doing 100 things, it is only because of this particular morning routine,” Samantha said.
Gratitude journaling is the first step
Samantha said the first thing she does after waking up is write in a gratitude journal. She dedicates one page to things she feels grateful for, a habit she developed after going through a particularly difficult phase in her life.
“I wake up, and the first thing I do is write in a gratitude journal, one page of gratitude,” she said, acknowledging that some people may be sceptical about the practice.
The actor recalled that she was advised to maintain a gratitude journal during a challenging period. Initially, however, she found it difficult to identify positive things to write about because of how she was feeling at the time.
“For the first few months, I found it excruciatingly hard to write positive things in this journal, especially because I wasn’t feeling that way,” she said.
Samantha added that the practice became easier with time and eventually influenced the way she viewed her circumstances.
How journaling changed her mindset
According to Samantha, the most significant change she noticed was in her mindset rather than an immediate improvement in her situation.
She said that although her circumstances did not change dramatically at first, maintaining the journal helped her develop a more positive outlook.
“It has an incredible impact. So, I was already happy even before I became healthy again,” the actor said.
Samantha said her personal experience is the reason she continues to advocate gratitude journaling, positive affirmations and manifestation.
Rather than relying on advice from social media influencers, she said she believes in the practice because she has experienced its impact herself.
“I have experienced it myself, which is why I strongly advocate positive affirmations and manifestation because I am a living example of it working,” she said.
Her account highlights how a simple daily habit became an important part of her approach to emotional well-being during a difficult period.
Sunlight and meditation complete her routine
After gratitude journaling, Samantha said she spends time in sunlight and meditates.
These practices form the next stages of her morning routine, which she follows consistently even when she has a packed schedule.
The actor described the routine as a way of maintaining balance while managing multiple responsibilities. She did not present it as a universal formula, but explained how she had arrived at a combination of practices that suited her.
Her approach combines reflection through journaling with time outdoors and meditation, giving her a dedicated period before the demands of the day begin.
Although morning routines differ from person to person, Samantha’s account shows the importance she places on consistency and making time for habits that she finds beneficial.
Samantha continues to stay active
Alongside her focus on mental well-being, Samantha has also spoken about maintaining physical activity during pregnancy.
In a social media post shared a couple of months ago, the actor uploaded photographs and videos of herself lifting weights, performing seated cable rows and practising yoga.
She explained that her approach to exercise had changed to reflect her current circumstances, while emphasising the importance of staying active.
“Goals are different when you are growing a tiny human, and I think that might be the strongest thing this body has ever done,” she wrote.
Her comments reflected a shift in priorities, with her training focused on what feels appropriate for her body rather than simply pursuing previous fitness goals.
Exercise during pregnancy varies depending on an individual’s health, fitness level and medical circumstances. Samantha’s personal routine should not be treated as a general recommendation for everyone who is pregnant.
A personal approach to wellness
Samantha’s morning routine centres on three practices: gratitude journaling, sunlight and meditation. She credits the consistency of these habits with helping her maintain a sense of balance amid a busy life.
Her experience with journaling, in particular, appears to have shaped her outlook. What began as a difficult exercise during a challenging phase eventually became a daily practice she continues to value.
By sharing her experience at the ZOY event, the actor offered a glimpse into the habits she has incorporated into her personal approach to wellness.
For Samantha, the routine is not simply another item on a daily checklist. It is time set aside for herself before the day gets underway, helping her approach her responsibilities with a mindset she considers more balanced.