I’ve struggled with insomnia, says singer Beyonce Knowles

American pop-star Beyonce Knowles has described how touring has taken a toll on her body, leaving with muscle aches, pains, and troubled hair as well as skin.

“I think like many women, I have felt the pressure of being the backbone of my family and my company, and didn’t realise how much that takes a toll on my mental and physical well-being. I have not always made myself a priority,” Beyonce said.

The 39-year-old added: “I’ve struggled with insomnia from touring for more than half of my life. Years of wear and tear on my muscles from dancing in heels! The stress on my hair and skin, from sprays and dyes to the heat of a curling iron and wearing heavy makeup while sweating on stage!”

The Black Is King hit-maker is aware she needs to “take care of (herself) and listen” to her body to be at her “best”.

“In the past, I spent too much time on diets, with the misconception that self-care meant exercising and being overly conscious of my body,” said Beyonce, who has four children, Blue Ivy, Nine, and Rumi and Sir, with husband Jay-Z.

The Single Ladies hitmaker is trying to change her habits and focus on her mental health and to register the “subtle signs” that her body needs a break.

“My health, the way I feel when I wake up in the morning, my peace of mind, the number of times I smile, what I’m feeding my mind and my body — those are the things that I’ve been focusing on. Mental health is self-care too… It’s a process to change habits and look past the bag of chips and the chaos everywhere.” — IANS