Stress is a mind-body reaction/response to a situation

To flight from/fight the situation

When a situation/condition is not Acceptable to us

When we want to do/get something but are unable

When ego is hurt (feedback, comments, criticism…)

When we loose something which we feel as important

Different people ‘feel’ different stress levels for the same situations

Anxiety, Fear, Depression, Anger, Sadness

Acidity, Ulcers, Heart ailments, Blood Pressure, Kidney problems, Diabetes

Mind perceives threat > Triggers animal instinct of fight or flight

> Adrenalin increases to prepare the body > Heart beat increases to supply more food & oxygen to body parts Blood pressure increases > Breathing becomes fast & shallow Metabolism increases Stomach readies for processing more food Acidity increases > Overloaded Excretory Systems to clear the toxin > Imbalanced Endocrine Systems

the chemical factories of hormones, enzymes Imbalanced Emotions

Some Impacts of Sustained and Unmanaged Stress Brain

Continues to operate in higher Beta state (15 to 26 cycles per second of electrical impulses (EEG))

Continues to trigger the rest of the body mechanism and create stress

Blood Pressure remains high > High blood pressures can lead to Heart failure, paralysis (due to breakdown of blood vessels in brain)…

Acidity, Ulcer and other digestive problems Diabetes

Kidney problems due to overload on removing toxins from the body

Reduces immunity and makes body susceptible to diseases

….

Human body & mind are a highly complex and integrated system

Each system impacts the other: either positively or negatively

ISO 14000 needs significant change in the globalized knowledge era!

Why Allopathic Medicines and Stimulants are not good for managing Stress

Allopathic medicines directly add chemical to the body and interfere with the internal chemical factories

E.g. Taking Antacids for Acidity neutralizes the acid in the stomach. Then body thinks that the acid is not sufficient and starts producing more.

E.g. Anti-depressants suppress the ability of brain cells to generate electric impulses

People taking such drugs for prolonged time become dull

Stimulants like Tobacco, Coffee, Tea, Coco etc. temporarily trigger higher activities

Subsequently body craves for more & more stimulants

Then how to manage stress? Turn it into a Positive Spiral

Manage Mind Positive Thinking and Attitude

Larger view of life & Meditation. Healthy lifestyle and food habits

…

Creates flexibility and hollowness, lightness Helps in flow of water, food, oxygen, electrical signals and flow of energy in the body

Pituitary Gland is the master gland in the endocrine system and has a strong influence on rest of the endocrine glands

Meditation Takes the brain to Alpha state: electrical impulses of 8 to 14 cycles per second At deep meditation level (Samadhi state) brain goes to Theta state: electrical impulses of 4 to 7 cycles per second

Leads to deep relaxation

Takes the brain to higher beta state Then takes the brain to deep relaxation

Thus exercises and expands the brain/mind capacity Mind rules the body

Enzymes produced by Endocrine glands influence every cell, organ and function of the body. They regulate mood, growth, metabolism, tissue function, sexual & reproductive processes

Mind peaceful, joyful Triggers hope, optimism, Positive feelings. Adrenalin normal to prepare the body Heart beat normal to supply normal food & oxygen to body parts Blood pressure normal Breathing becomes slow & deep Metabolism normal Stomach readies for processing normal food

Acidity normal. Normal Excretory Systems to clear the toxin Balanced Endocrine Systems the chemical factories of hormones, enzymes Balanced Emotions

So, to be “Successful”…. The definition I liked most:

“The measure of Success is the number of joyful smiles per day every day” – Shri Shri Ravishankar

Life is full of choices; The choices one makes determine one’s life – they are like cross-roads IQ < EQ < AQ < SQ : determine what choices one makes

Healthy mind FOR a healthy body

It is mind, and not body, that differentiates the leader from the rest

Positive Energy is most fundamental to any Leader

Priority

1) Pursue money 2) Pursue fame Loose health Loose joy Less creative Less Accomplishment Less Recognition Less Money More stress on the priorities

People spend half of their life in making money and loose health in that process. In the remaining half they spend that money trying to regain the health

Make it a Virtuous Cycle

Priority

1) Pursue health 2) Pursue knowledge More joy More creative More Accomplishment More Recognition More Money Continue stress on the priorities

Pursue health (mind+body) and knowledge (universal knowledge) then money & fame will follow as a byproduct

Explore             Experiment             Experience

Conclusion: The Simple Prescription

Practice Yoga & Pranayama (and Meditation) everyday

Life will change at the most fundamental level