Exclusive | World Health Day 2024: Celebs share their fitness mantras, tips and more

World Health Day, celebrated annually on April 7, serves as a reminder of the importance of health and well-being. The day brings the spotlight on the importance of being healthy and raises awareness about different health problems.

This year's World Health Day theme, "My Health, My Right," emphasises the fundamental human right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality healthcare services, education and information. It also underscores the disparity in healthcare access around the world and calls for action to ensure equitable health outcomes.

On the website, WHO mentions, "The WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All has found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a human right in their constitution. Yet countries are not passing and putting into practice laws to ensure their populations are entitled to access health services. This underpins the fact that at least 4.5 billion people — more than half of the world’s population — were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021."

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"The theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’. This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination," adds WHO.

Speaking exclusively to WION, celebrities likeSaiyami Kher, Gulshan Devaiah and more marked World Health Day, sharing their fitness mantras,personal stories, and vital health messages. Read on!

Actor Gulshan Devaiah, whostarred in Blurr alongside Taapsee Pannu, shared that he prioritises health ever since he suffered a major injury in 2017.His fitness mantra is to incorporate moderate-intensity exercise and a balanced diet into his everyday life for both his physical and mental wellness.

He alsorevealed that he only eats one meala day, which takes about an hour to finish and comprises raw vegetables, cooked vegetables, and fruits, and then he moves on to protein and carbohydrates. "I really like eating real food, and not protein powders or supplements," sharedDevaiah.

Addressing his fans,Devaiah stated, "Prioritise your health, both physical and mental. You don't have to kill yourself in the gym. Find a workout regime that works for you. Do it consistently and take it slow."

Talking about his plans for World Health Day, theFootfairy actor jokingly shared, "I will celebrate World Health Day by eating 1 KG of Mysore Pak. (Pun totally intended!)"

Actress Saiyami Kher, who made her acting debut withthe Telugu film Reyin 2015, shared with WION, "Every day is World Health Day for me because I feel we must look after ourselves every day. Everyone can take 20 minutes in a day to look after their health and if celebrities like Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar can dedicate certain hours of their day to their health despite their busy schedules, I think we all can."

"Every time I am in a low phase in my life, workouts help me feel better and motivated. Running has always been a therapeutic experience for me. It clears my mind and helps me feel better," Kher added.

Actor Alexx ONell, who was last seen in Ae Watan Mere Watan alongside Sara Ali Khan, told WION, "I see too many friends placing their financial health over their physical health, and almost everything over their mental health. So, on this World Health Day, while acknowledging that all forms of health are important, I urge my friends and fans to make the effort to prioritise (or perhaps even discover) something that gives personal fulfilment - separate from the approval of a boss or client for my corporate friends, and independent of the validation of their audience, for my musician and actor friends. For me, that is the solitude of a motorcycle ride, the thrill of a paragliding flight, or the exhilaration of a trail run in the forest. Whatever it is, make it a priority, and make it a habit. You’ll be happier, and healthier for it!"