REDUCE STRESS AT WORKPLACE

Many institutions within the current culture, while paying lip service to stress reduction, put intense pressure on individuals to behave in ways that promote tension. Employers should take measures to prevent stress from work overload and should provide help to deal with work-related stress. Treating stress has a no. of benefits, not only for the individual but also for the employer.

Theory of Anekant: The best way of manage stress

THEORY OF MULTIPLE VIEW POINTS (ANEKANT)

ANEKANT, or the theory of multiple, different points of view emphasizes upon the fact that a single event is bound to be analyzed differently by different individuals. This depends upon one’s training, more values, priorities and so on. Every person has his own thinking and rights to express his views. Following “Anekant” one avoids many conflicts and helps oneself to perceive the different opinions of others.

Story of an Elephant and Three Blind Persons.

There were three blind persons who were asked to tell what an elephant was, they were allowed to touch and feel him.

The first one said that the elephant was like a pillar-the person has reached the legs only and had made the comment. The second said it was like a rope by feeling the tail. The third said it was like a hand fan as he had touched the ear only.

Everyone with their own understanding, experiencing  and feelings can express different opinions about the same things. The story beautifully depicts the meaning of anekant.

How to change the internal conditioning or Mindset?

To cut down the stress production, there are only 2 options. One is to deal with the External Stressors appropriately and the second is to change the Internal Conditioning, which is a more practical thing to do.

Many people wonder whether it will be possible to change their mindset. According to SAAOL, it is definitely possible and can be done by everyone. Our internal conditioning or mindset do change with time. Till something ago someone was a friend, today he may be an enemy. Internal conditioning do change. You might not have liking noodles till two years back, but today you eat a lot and find them tasty. It is internal conditioning.

When we talk about change internal conditioning, one must note that once it is understood, it becomes much easier to change. We offer three reasons to change the internal conditioning. If one appreciates the reasons, then it is easy to change. The following are the three reasoning:-

1    

         Change with Society: Everything keeps on changing, be it society and behavior of fashion and dresses. Change is the keyword in today’s world. If you do not change your mindset or internal conditioning accordingly, you are liable to more confrontations with the changed situation.

The sons previously (say 20 years back) used to touch their fathers feet every morning, students used to do the same for the teachers, but now, if you expect the dame, stress is going to be there. This is called the generation gap. The new group, the new ideas do not match with the old ones as the old refuse to change. New is the product which cannot be held back. Now, there are only two possibilities left, either let them stay separately or let the old generation appreciate the new ideas. The second possibility is the only viable possibility. The new ideas have to enter your mindset everyday.

One does not require to change completely in one day. But the mind should be open. A few new ideas everyday would be good enough.

2.        Understand ‘Anekant’: ‘Anekant’ is a word from Jain Philosophy which stands for “theory of multiple viewpoints Anekant   says that everyone behaves or think his own way as he has a right to do so. “Anek” men more than one. It means, in other words, more than one opinion can be there about a single event or object.

If the father wants to do something is one way, the son may want to do it in a different way. According to Anekant, both are right from their own points of view. Their opinions will take origins from their own internal conditionings or mindsets. Both have a right to think in their own way.

One of the family members way want the cleaning of the house very thoroughly while, the other person way plan not to do so. One is very much conscious about cleaning and the other feels that there are more constructive works rather than cleaning, according to Anekant both are correct.

If you appreciate the theory of Aneknt, you can change your internal conditioning easily. You will be able to understand others more clearly and analyze their ways of thinking. You will also be able to accept others point of view. If not accept, at least you will be able to understand them. In this way, the production of stress will reduce definitely. Anekant is the greatest theory in stress management.

3.       Society is base on “Give and Take”: Third way to manage the production of stress is “Gave and take”. If two people with different ideas want to stay together, work together-there will be differences in their view points, no two persons can think alike. This leads to the need to compromise “give and take”

Both have to give up some of their needs or ideas in order to fulfill the needs or ideas of the other. This is the rule of a healthy society. Sacrifice is a must. In relationships, if there are disputes everyday and both are adamant in their views, the relationship will either produce plenty of stress or would break.

It is true that all the members of the society or group should understand this theory. This is one of the reasons we include the spouses in our SAAOL Heart Training Program.

GOLDEN RULES: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR STRESS REDUCTION

1.       Avoid friendship with bad elements.

2.       Do not support a person who talks about harming others.

3.       Do not be happy with people who flatter you.

4.       Do not be over possessive.

5.       Keep sometime with you when you have an appointment.

6.       Do not say wrong things if you are unaware-rather than misleading others, if it better to admit ignorance.

7.       When you have an argument or difference of opinion, place yourself in your opponent’s shoes and try to see his/her view point.

8.       The more someone is unhappy with you the more silent he/she will be.

9.       Make little changes in your life at a time. So not be too hasty.

10.   Find the root cause of stress and try to solve it from there.

11.   Show kindness even in small issues.

12.   Look for the interests of other family members give guilty time.

13.   Use communication skills

14.   Do not over expect.

15.   Intention is the keyword.

16.   Exchange complaints about each other from time to time.

17.   Do not forget important dates like birthdays, marriage anniversaries etc.

18.   Help unconditionally – even if it is small. (expect nothing in return).

19.   Do not try to achieve the best in everything.

20.   We always seek God’s help in our bad times. We should try not to forget him in our good times too.    

Hope you liked this article.

This article is written by Dr. Bimal Chajjer (Heart Specialist)