HOW TO DEAL WITH
STRESS
How to Deal With Stress: A Free,
Practical, and Concise Guide to
say bye-bye to Stress
Stress is an unavoidable companion has suggested some insightful and
in today’s modern-day world. It can humorous answers to those niggling
cause serious health issues and doubts we have on dealing with stress
make you lose your peace of mind, and its offsprings.
So, it is best nipped in the bud, isn’t
Let’s start with a simple definition of
it? Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
stress.
What is stress?
Too much to do, too little time, and no energy!
Can stress help me perform better?
Occasionally, a little stress can push Lebanon and Afghanistan would have
you to do more. However, it is not the been world leaders! However, they
primary motivating factor for people have not contributed any inventions to
to be creative. The idea that necessity the world in the last 40 years.
is the mother of invention is an
For a person to be creative and
outdated one!
inventive, his mind has to be stress-
If stress were really a motivating free, and his environment peaceful.
factor, strife-torn countries like
What is the solution to stress?
Your own experiences can teach you. You have spent moments believing the
end of the world has arrived, haven’t you? Yet, you are still alive and kicking!
What else can help you?
How can I stop worrying?
1. Recognize that you always worry, 3. Listen to people with more
and the result of it has been nothing! problems than you!
You are still here. The world did not
4. Stay in a mental hospital for a
collapse on your head!
day! Listen to the patients there, and
2. Do Bhastrika pranayama and Kriya. observe their lives. It will teach you
These practices can help you (You’ll perspective.
learn more about these two practices
5. Visit a crematorium or cemetery,
in our free introductory workshop that
and remember that you will also be
you have registered for).
there one day!
Have you tried
guided meditation
to deal with
anxiety?
Life is impermanent.
Worrying about passing
phases is futile. Being
aware of this can help
you get over your
anxieties.
How can I save myself from negative thoughts?
Negative thoughts routinely cloud our who need compassion rather than
mind and create doubts within us. It condemnation, because they are
leads to unanswered questions, which scarred individuals.
torture us, and makes us violent.
However, it is important not to
Sometimes, people with such sympathize with someone in a
questions just need a soundboard. negative mode because you end
They need attention and up adding credibility to their illusory
understanding rather than solutions. beliefs.
This also applies to extremists,
How can I get rid of sadness?
Here’s a secret! Sadness is not given 2. You need a lot of courage and self-
by others - it is a gift of your own control to drop your desire. Invoke the
mind! valor within you.
Here are four ways to get rid of your 3. Take responsibility for your actions
sadness: and try to understand your Self.
1. Drop your desire. Treat it like a ball, 4. Offer it to god, as god takes all
and kick it far away from you. offerings without question.
How can I overcome frustration?
Frustration arises because we expect imperfection within our own selves.
perfection from others. We expect So, it is important to look within.
people, organizations, and the When we try to improve ourselves
nation to be perfect. We want things and aim to achieve perfection within
done on time, and life to go the way ourselves, we will stop noticing others’
we envision it. When this does not imperfections. We can then even
happen, which is the case many times, contribute towards transforming
we get frustrated. others. This will help get rid of
frustration.
As we go about looking for perfection
all around us, we miss seeing the
Practice Sudarshan Kriya to reduce stress
When you are stressed, a hormone called cortisol is released. This
hinders the functioning of neuro-transmitters that brain cells use
to communicate, which confuses the brain, and makes it inactive.
Cortisols also cause chemical reactions that kill brain cells.
Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) is a scientifically-proven stress
management tool that utilizes the breath to control
emotions. Numerous independent studies show
that SKY increases focus and alertness. India’s
National Institute of Mental Health has found that
SKY practitioners show lower levels of cortisol. It also
increases prolactin - a well-being hormone.
Watch this interesting video here to learn more about Sudarshan
Kriya. You’ll also be guided about what Sudarshan Kriya is in the
free introductory workshop that you have signed up for.
Swedish researchers have also found that this breathing
technique reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and increases
optimism and well-being. It is free of side-effects and cheaper
than antidepressants.
About The Art of Living Organisation
Operating in 156 countries, The Art of Living is a non-profit, educational
and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by the world-renowned
humanitarian and spiritual teacher - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
All our programs are guided by Gurudev’s philosophy: “Unless we have a
stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace.”
The Art of Living community is diverse and attracts people from all walks of life.
Learn more about The Art of Living here.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
About the founder
Gurudev is a humanitarian leader, spiritual teacher, and an ambassador of
peace.
His vision of a stress-free, violence-free society has united millions of people
the world over through service projects, and programs of The Art of Living.
Gurudev visits over 70 cities a year, promoting peace and inspiring global
transformation through ethical leadership, anti-corruption, conflict resolution,
and care for all people and the planet.
Learn more about Him here.
