Akshay Kumar has long been known for maintaining a disciplined lifestyle, and his daily routine has once again attracted attention. The actor recently shared that he follows the 8-8-8 rule, which gives eight hours each to work, personal activities and sleep.
At the age of 58, Akshay Kumar credits this balanced routine for helping him maintain his fitness and energy levels. However, while the routine may sound simple, following it every day can be difficult for people dealing with demanding jobs, family responsibilities and constant digital distractions.
Experts believe that the real benefit of the 8-8-8 rule lies in its basic idea of maintaining a balance between professional commitments, rest and personal life.
What Exactly Is the 8-8-8 Rule?
The concept is based on dividing the 24 hours of a day into three equal parts.
Eight hours are reserved for work, eight hours for sleep and the remaining eight hours for personal activities. The personal time can include family commitments, exercise, hobbies, relaxation or other activities outside work.
The structure encourages people to avoid allowing work to consume most of their day while also giving sufficient importance to sleep and recovery.
However, health experts say that the rule should not necessarily be treated as a strict timetable.
Experts Believe Flexibility Is More Important
Shreya Poddar of AM Medical Centre, Southern Avenue, said the 8-8-8 rule is better understood as a guiding principle.
According to her, not everyone has the same schedule. Doctors, healthcare workers, shift workers and new parents, among others, may find it difficult to divide their day into three equal sections.
Instead of concentrating on achieving exactly eight hours in each category, people should focus on getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a healthy routine and managing stress.
Giving the body enough time to recover is also important for maintaining overall well-being.
Long Working Hours Make the Rule Difficult to Follow
Mental health professional Madhuja Banerjee believes that the routine can support both physical and mental well-being, but maintaining it consistently can be challenging.
Many professionals work beyond regular office hours. Doctors, media professionals and people working in target-based jobs often have unpredictable or extended schedules.
In such situations, maintaining a fixed eight-hour work period may not always be possible. Banerjee also pointed out that longer working hours and fewer holidays can make maintaining a proper work-life balance more difficult for many people in India.
She suggested that people should focus on the quality of their personal time instead. Activities such as gardening, painting, cooking and exercise can help people relax and recover from daily stress.
Why Sleep Should Not Be Ignored
Counselling psychologist Saloni Priya said the basic idea behind the 8-8-8 rule is connected with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
A consistent routine and adequate sleep can support concentration, energy levels and emotional well-being. When people regularly compromise on sleep, they may find it harder to maintain their physical and mental performance.
For this reason, even people who cannot follow the complete 8-8-8 structure should make sleep a priority.
Digital Habits Are Making Sleep More Difficult
Another major challenge is the increasing use of smartphones and digital platforms.
Saloni Priya pointed out that many young people remain active online late at night. Social media, streaming platforms and constant digital connectivity have changed the way people use their evenings.
Late-night screen time can push sleeping schedules further and make it difficult to maintain a consistent routine.
As a result, following the 8-8-8 rule can be particularly challenging for people who spend several hours online after work.
Should You Follow Akshay Kumar’s 8-8-8 Routine?
Experts believe that there is no need to follow the rule with a stopwatch. The more important lesson is to create enough space for work, sleep and personal activities.
For some people, eight hours of work may not be realistic every day. Similarly, personal responsibilities may reduce the time available for hobbies or relaxation. What matters is making sure that work does not completely take over the day and that sleep and recovery are not consistently sacrificed.
Akshay Kumar’s routine can therefore be viewed as a useful framework rather than a universal formula.
The 8-8-8 rule may not be achievable for everyone, but its central message remains relevant. A healthier lifestyle requires a balance between professional responsibilities, proper rest and time for yourself.