Shrink8217;s mantra for stress

MUMBAI, May 3: For the stressed and depressed, a growing number in the cities, a senior psychiatrist has come up with a simple solution.On...

MUMBAI, May 3: For the stressed and depressed, a growing number in the cities, a senior psychiatrist has come up with a simple solution.8220;One cannot only cope with stress but can face it in small doses head on taking it as a creative challenge. This will lead to enhancement of our potentialities,8221; says stress management expert Dr Ashit Sheth.

Speaking at a workshop on Coping with Stress8217; organised by Prerana Psychiatric Services, an organisation for mental health care and promotion, Dr Sheth revealed his mantra for survival in these taxing times. His programme is called TRAINER HEALTH: nurturing positive thinking T, a regimen for relaxation R, altruism A, developing hobbies and interests I, strict nutrition N, stronger emotional relationships E and religion R. Likewise, developing a passion for holidays H, exercise E, skillful management of anger A, humour and laughter L, management of time T and cultivating a habit of happiness H.

8220;The Trainer Health programme is the bestpossible weapon one can use to fight stress. It8217;s not just how one reacts to a given problem, but being prepared to deal with stress and tension since one may face it in our everyday life,8221; Dr Sheth said, adding that he had not developed any special technique to fight stress, but a very basic remedy to overcome it.

8220;Success and happiness at home and work are greatly influenced by the quality of communication, and the way we talk and think have a direct effect on our mental health,8221; the expert said.

Illustrating crisis management by humans even in the earlier ages which he called fight-flight reaction8217;, Dr Sheth said the body of a caveman was prepared to face crisis by creating an alarm reaction. The moment he noticed an animal or some danger, his body would gear itself up by pouring an extra dose of emergency hormones into his blood stream . He would either fight the danger with weapons, or take flight from the situation by climbing the nearest tree.

However, in modern times, the phenomenal changesin man8217;s everyday lifestyle has subjected him to immense stress due to a need for constant adaptation. 8220;Today, we are smart enough to generate all sorts of stressful events in our heads, sparking off stress responses to real and imagined situations. Today we put to use our alarm reaction which was only meant to be used only in emergencies. During the evolution, the human mind and body was not equipped adequately and changes call for immense adjustments resulting in stress and stress-related phenomena,8221; Dr Sheth said.

8220;If one masters the simple methods like Trainer Health in coping with stress, survival in these times of anxiety wouldn8217;t be difficult at all,8221; he said.