Debjani Mukherji, vice president, Global Strategic Alliances, TalentSprint
Dr Sakshi Arora, PhD, Stanford-National Board-Certified health coach
Dr Madhuri Vidyashankar P, consultant gynaecologist, hysteroscopic and
laparoscopic surgeon, Motherhood Hospitals, Bengaluru
Sunila Benjamin, director, NielsenIQ BASES
(Moderator) Sunitha Rao, senior editor, Happiest Health
Many women juggle an immense workload as they navigate home, work, and life. But there are ways to lighten the load, whether it is taking a soul-searching retreat or simply turning to another person for help.
In a frank discussion on balancing career, family, and personal well-being, a panel of accomplished women shared their diverse strategies for achieving harmony amidst life’s challenges. Business leader Debjani Mukherjee stressed the importance of accepting stress as a part of life and seeking help when needed. “All of us women always make the mistake of thinking that we have to do everything ourselves,” she noted, emphasising the value of building a support system.
Former tech-professional-turned-health coach, Dr Sakshi Arora opened up about her personal journey of overcoming autoimmune disorders through lifestyle changes and medical advice. She also highlighted the prevalence of self-doubt and prioritisation struggles among women in tech. “Many [women in tech] think ‘I’m the only one who can’t manage my manager or conflicts with peers and everyone else has figured it out’. But trust me — all of us [are also] putting the pieces together every day,” she shares.
For gynaecologist Dr Madhuri Vidyashankar, spiritual surrender and annual Himalayan treks proved instrumental in coping with the immense stress of her demanding medical career. “What has maximally worked for me is my spiritual surrender to my guru and to the practices that I follow,” she says.
Sunila Benjamin, a consumer behaviour specialist, shared her perspective on the importance of making time for oneself and choosing balance, even if it means temporarily focusing more on certain aspects of life than others. “I chose balance,” she said, explaining that her approach to juggling work, home, and personal life was fluid, with the focus shifting depending on her stage of life.
The panellists’ experiences served as a powerful reminder that prioritising self-care and seeking support are essential for overall well-being while balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
