Stress Treatment and Meditation Therapies

1. Stress
   • On Body brings in Headache, rise in BP, rise in heart rate, Fatigue, Sleep problems.
   • On Mood – alleviates Anxiety, Irritability, depression.
   • On Behaviour – makes you indulge in Over eating/under eating, Drug / alcohol / Tobacco abuse, social withdrawal, decrease in sex drive.
2. Increased Cortisol and Epinephrine drug stress, which in turn leads to
   • Rise in Blood Sugar.
   • Damage to the arteries – CVD.
   • Destroy connections in hippocampus (brain memory coordinating center).
   • Damage your immune system.
3. Chronic stress also leads to Insulin resistance thereby causing obesity and Diabetes.

One must know the difference between good stress and bad stress.
Not all stresses are bad. As the name suggests, good stress, also called as Eustress will stimulate us and perform better in various areas of life.

• Examples
  • Playing sports
  • Exam
  • Working to a deadline

Benefits → motivational, enhance learning, relaxed feeling due to accomplishments.

• Bad Stress (Distress)on the other hand is highly demotivating and results in poor performance. Bad stress can be result of many factors like –
  • Unsuitable Job
  • Business Worries
  • Domestic problems
  • Financial problems
  • Health Implications
  • Relationship difficulties
• Good Stress is associated with balanced proportion of “Thamas”, “Rajas” and “Satva” which activates the inner balance in the body.
  An efficient stress treatment program aims at creating the inner balance using various natural methods.
• Any stress which prolongs for long time becomes “chronic stress” which spoils both physical and mental health.

• We can’t find work life balance, we need to create it.
• There is no perfect, one size fits all, Balance. It’s different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives.
• The core of effective work life balance are achievement and enjoyment.
• Women have greater challenges.
• Sometimes work life balance is almost blurred.
• Effective planning and time management a must to bring balance.

A recent survey showed that 46% of Stress in the country is due to Work. It is essential to have work life balance. We can’t find work life balance, we need to create it.

• Sleep and stress have two-way relationship
• In the REM stage of sleep, which is when dreams occur, levels of stress hormones decrease
• Getting a good night’s sleep improves your concentration and productivity and reduces irritability

The goal of stress treatment is not to eliminate stressful events, but to manage your response to them.
Recognize that which you have control over and recognize real problems from imaginary problems. This will help you prioritize and manage stress and time better.

a) Plan your day. The more organized you are, the less stress you will have to face. It also helps to enjoy random works to lessen work pressure
Above all, get more rest and adequate sleep.
b) Socialize and Talk out your situation with someone who can help you feel better
c) Meditation and Yoga make you breathe deep, in turn relaxing your mind.
Anything that can get to release dopamine (feel good) – Massages, exercise, yoga, walks, sex etc
d) Work on something that you are really passionate about, something that is close to your heart, every day. The power of doing what you are passionate about is magical. It is as good as meditation. It releases Serotonin and Dopamine which are happy hormones making the whole process deeply satisfying and progressive.