Stress and Yoga
-Sandeep Dongre
M.C.M, M.A (Yoga)
Pursuing Ph.D
Jan 2017
What is Stress
Stressisdefinedastheemotional&physicalstraincaused
byapersonsresponsetopressurefromtheoutsideworld.It
occurswhenthereisamismatchbetweenwhatthepeople
aspiretodoandwhattheyarecapabletodo.
S = P > R
S –Stress, P –Pressure, R -Resources
What is Stress
•Inamedicalorbiologicalcontextstressisaphysical,mental,or
emotionalfactorthatcausesbodilyormentaltension
•Stressescanbeexternal(fromtheenvironment,psychological,
orsocialsituations)orinternal(illness,orfromamedical
procedure)
•Stresscaninitiatethe"fightorflight"response,acomplex
reactionofneurologicandendocrinologysystems
•Itcanalter,healthandemotionsaswell,itcaneffectcognitive
functionsimpairsconcentration,attention,decisionmaking
abilityandcreativity
Types of stress
•Positive stress
•Challenges to adapt and grow
•Can help compel us to action,
can result in a new perspective
Eustress
e.g : Birth of a new
baby, a job
promotion, getting
married
•Negative stress
•Can deplete or destroy the
energy for life
•Can result in feeling of
distrust,rejection,angeretc
Distress
e.g : death of a loved
one, loosing a job,
getting divorced
Causes
•Work Or Organizational causes
•Over Ambition
•Peer Pressure
•Poor Inter-Personal relationship
•Insecurity
•Health
•Kids
•Financial problems
•Change in Environment
•Environmental Pollution
•Noise Pollution
•Disturbed Marital Life
•High Cost of Living
•Just a habit ! And many more …
Behavioral
•Change in productivity
•Sleep disorders
•Change in eating habits
•Serious appearance
•Nervous behavior
•Increased frustration
•overreacting
•Increased consumption of alcohol
And many more…
Health Problems with Excessive Stress
•CHD* and stroke
•Gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers
•Impaired immune system
•Insomnia, headache
•Backache
•Drug & alcohol use
* Coronary heart disease(CHD)
Let’s De-stress !!
Management
•Practicing yoga
•Proper nutrition
•Adequate sleep
•Positive attitude
•Physical Exercise
•Laugh out Loud (LOL)!!
•Relaxation
•Take mind off of problems
•Meditation
•Develop “Let Go” attitude ..
Steps for Stress Management
•Identify causes and symptoms of stress
•Use measures to reduce stress
•Seek solutions for avoiding stressors
•Maintain fitness and health
Yoga for Stress Management
Yoga
•Yoga is a mind body practice that combines
stretching exercises, controlled breathing
relaxation.
•According to yogsutraof patanjaliyoga is:
“Yoga is restraint of the activities of the mind.”
According to BhagvadGita yogis:
“Evenness of mind is yog”
“Yoga is skillfulness in action”
Stages of Yoga
•Yam : Restraints
•Niyam : Observances
•Asan : Body Postures
•Pranayama : Regulations of Breath
•Pratyahar: Abstractions of Senses
•Dharna : Concentration
•Dhyan : Meditation
•Samadhi : Self Realizations
How yoga works on stress
•In yoga breathing using the diaphragm, as you breath
can stimulate the Vagusnerve and help reduce stress.
•Vagusnerve is the main nerve of parasympathetic
nervous system, extends from the medulla through the
diaphragm to abdomen, and responsible for:
i.Slowing respiration
ii.Reducing heart rate
iii.Lowering blood pressure,
iv.Stimulating digestive activity
How Yoga helps !
Asanas:
•Musculo-skeletal flexibility and joint range of motion
increases
•Posture improves
•Energy level increases
•Respiratory and Cardio vascular efficiency increases
•Endurance and immunity increases
•Endocrine functions and weight normalizes
•Digestion improves
Pranayama
•Anxiety and Depression decreases
•Concentration, Attention and Memory improves
•Stable Autonomic Nervous system equilibrium
•Pulse rate, Respiratory rate and blood pressure decreases
•Alpha waves in brain increase
•Strength and resiliency increase
•Breath holding time and Lung capacity increases
How Yoga helps !
Meditation
•Self acceptance, self awareness, self actualization
increases
•Anxiety, stress, depression decreases
•Mood, memory, learning skills, attention improves
•Social adjustment improves
•Subjective well being improves
How Yoga helps !
Bio-chemical benefits
•Glucose, Sodium, Total and LDL(bad) Cholesterol,
Triglycerides decreases
•HDL(good) cholesterol, Hemoglobin, Vit.C, Vit.D
increases
How Yoga helps !
•Yoga helps to relax and decreases anxiety and stress.
•The way we breathe reflects the quality of the mind.
There is a connection between mental, emotional, and
psychological states and the quickness of breath. The
mental state influences our breathing pattern therefore,
one can choose to change the breathing pattern and
thus change mental state. When you relax and slow the
pace of your breath, the pace of the mind is calmed and
quieted..
Conclusion
In a Nutshell …
Let Go !!!
Thank You !!
Mumbai, India
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