Popular television actress Tejasswi Prakash has recently opened up about her intense struggle with sleep, revealing that she has been dealing with borderline insomnia for at least a year. The 32-year-old star shared her frustrating experience during a candid conversation on a popular podcast.
The Frustration of Sleepless Nights
During her appearance on Bharti Singh and Harssh Limbachiyaa's podcast, Tejasswi described her sleep patterns as highly irregular. "I wake up at 10-11 am, sometimes noon. Very late. I sleep at 6 am because I am also a borderline insomniac. I just realised that. I can't sleep at night," the actress confessed.
She elaborated on the frustrating experience of lying awake for hours without any distractions. "There is no mobile, TV. I just lie down and look at the ceiling fan for hours together. It's so frustrating. Sometimes, you can see the sunrise through the curtains, but you can't sleep."
The Severity of the Condition
The situation has become so severe that Tejasswi experiences multiple completely sleepless nights each week. "There are so many nights in a week that I don't sleep at all. I actually don't sleep for even a minute. This has been happening for the last year at least," she revealed.
Initially, the actress admitted to feeling extremely irritated about her inability to sleep, especially after exhausting days. "In the beginning, I used to get very irritated as to why I didn't sleep. After being so tired, I should have slept. The following day used to get ruined."
However, she has since adopted a more pragmatic approach to her condition. "Then I realised why ruin the next day too...so I slept at 6 am and woke up at 11.15. Now, I don't think about it, it's very frustrating...It's not about sleeping in the daytime....I struggle with sleep itself."
Medical Perspective on Sleep Disorders
Dr. Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, explained that many people face similar challenges with sleep. "Many people struggle to fall asleep even when they feel exhausted, and this can be frustrating," she noted.
According to Dr. Agarwal, several factors can contribute to sleep difficulties:
- An overactive mind due to stress, worry, or constant thinking
- Irregular sleep schedules and excessive screen time before bed
- Caffeine consumption late in the day or heavy meals at night
- Underlying issues like anxiety, depression, or hormonal changes
The doctor also highlighted that "even lying in bed for too long can create pressure to 'force sleep,' making the mind more awake."
Understanding and Managing Borderline Insomnia
Dr. Agarwal defined borderline insomnia as "occasional difficulty falling or staying asleep that does not meet the full criteria for chronic insomnia." This condition often results in mild daytime fatigue, irritability, and reduced concentration.
The medical expert emphasized that "addressing it early with sleep-hygiene adjustments can prevent sleep disorders." She recommended several strategies to improve sleep quality:
- Creating a calming bedtime routine with dimmed lights
- Avoiding phones and screens for an hour before bed
- Practicing slow, deep breathing exercises
- Taking a warm shower, reading light material, or listening to soothing music
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule by sleeping and waking at consistent times daily
- Reducing caffeine intake, especially after noon
Dr. Agarwal also advised people to observe their sleep patterns carefully, noting how long it takes to fall asleep, frequency of waking up, and whether stress or lifestyle habits affect sleep quality. "Observing these signs can help you make small but effective changes or seek help if sleep problems continue," she concluded.
The actress's honest revelation highlights the importance of addressing sleep issues promptly and seeking professional guidance when necessary. As sleep disorders become increasingly common in modern lifestyles, awareness and early intervention can significantly improve quality of life.
