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Advance Nursing Practice 2018
J u n e 2 1 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 8
P a r i s , F r a n c e
Page 49
Journal of Nursing and Health Studies
ISSN 2574-2825
6 t h I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e o n
Advance Nursing Practice
Stress is any demand placed on our physical body or brain leading to
unspecified emotional, physiological and psychological pressure that
invariably impacts our daily lives. Stress elevates with anticipation of adverse
situations that may arise due to inadequate resources in face of impending
demands. Although not harmful per se, persistent stress may jeopardise not
only our physical health but also put our brains to premature ageing. Acute
stressful situations lead to hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical system (HPA)
dysfunction and secretion of stress hormone, cortisol sets in. In relay events,
increased levels of cortisol lead to several health problems. There is activation
of brain area amygdala, resulting in anxiety disorders and poor mental health.
The stress ‘signature’ appears in our brainwave pattern indicative of electrical
activity emanating from brain. There are four categories of waves, ranging from
the most active to the least active (or relaxed brain). The former produces beta
waves while a relaxed (idle?) brain is in alpha state. Recent researches have
shown that our brains need downtime not only to rejuvenate but also to process
recent experiences and for problem solving. In nutshell, we all need to break free
from beta state and put our brains to alpha state, the brain’s ‘off line mode’. There
is nothing wrong if the brain requires substantial downtime to remain industrious
and generate its most innovative ideas. For many of us, in the first take, idleness
may be mere wasting of time. However, in the age of busy-ness it is neither a
vacation, nor an extravagant or a wrong act; it is as indispensable to the brain
as vitamin D is to the body. In fact idleness is the only way to unplug brain,
give mind some much-needed peace, and to recharge the system. Of late, in
pursuit of high profile careers, our vulnerability to ‘hi tech’ stress has increased.
In many workplaces it has become a number one occupational hazard and a
significant health issue. If term “burnout” refers to workers’ reactions to chronic
stress common in occupations involving direct public interactions, then any
caring profession would definitely leave workers stressed and burnt out. If our
perception to situations is the main architect of stress, then the most effective
stress management would come with our own efforts. No one understands our
body system more than we do. We should look for skills that keep us calm and
give us positivity. The best approach would be to weave into our daily routine
some simple activities for emotional equilibrium. Meditation is a means to tap
into deep source of positive energy and joy. It deepens our connections with
others and with the world around us. Meditation enables our brains to move from
higher frequency waves to lower frequency, and activates different centres in
the brain. With meditation comes relaxation and secretion of ‘Happy’ hormone,
endorphin that leaves us de-stressed and rejuvenated.
Biography
Inderdeep Kaur has travelled widely and participated in several
international conferences. In a bid to help undergrads de-
stress, she has picked up Stress Management and Traditional
Meditation Practices. She was invited to conduct a workshop
on Stress management in Philadelphia- Stress Management
Summit 2015. In Amsterdam, she conducted a workshop
on Chanting Mantras during an international conference on
Nursing Global 2016. In Dubai 2017, she exchanged her views
on Traditional Medicines. She has also published articles like
Sleep: the Science of Mind at Rest and Traditional Medicines
and the Safety Issues. At home, she is known for delivering
counselling sessions for undergrads on de-stressing. Herself,
regular at performing these meditative exercises, she has a
vision to target the spiritual self of the person for she believes
that medication is available for body and to some extent mental
ailments but soul and spiritual health needs to be achieved with
practices like meditation.
Training brain to unplug and recharge? Try chanting mantra
Inderdeep Kaur
University of Delhi, India
Inderdeep Kaur, J Nurs Health Stud 2018, Volume: 3
DOI: 10.21767/2574-2825-C3-008