Fight the blues of life in the fast lane

Stress, whether mental or physical, spares none. But it is undoubtedly corporate executives who are at the highest risk. Commonly understood as the actions your body goes through as it tries to adjust to your changing environment, stress induces a gamut of emotions, mostly negative and often compels action. Nagging deadlines, long hours of work and crises in the organisation are just a few factors that trigger stress.

As Confucius put it, "Life is simple but we insist on making it complicated."

We are rarely aware of the damage we are doing to our bodies, in times of stress. However, it is impossible to avoid the curveballs life throws at us. However, dealing with it in the right way so as to avoid its adverse effects on the body is definitely the next best thing.

Stress management is of utmost importance to corporate executives considering the nature and environment of their work. While they teeter on the brink of burnout, they need to invest that extra time and effort in alleviating stress from their hectic lifestyle. This is possible only when they are aware of the cause of stress.

The most common symptoms that characterise stress are sweaty palms, sleeplessness, heart palpitations and hair loss.

Stress often leads to health problems such as nausea, headaches and complications in reproduction. Long-term stress leads to unfavourable hormonal changes. Even after the situation has ended, the body deals with the aftermath of the stress it has been subjected to.

In work scenarios such as these, yoga has proved to be the most effective stress-buster.

Here's how to combat stress with Pranayama and postures that one can practise at home.

Sheetali Pranayama

• Sit with back straight and eyes closed.
• Roll tongue and slowly inhale through the gap made by the tongue. Count to five while inhaling.
• Press chin to chest. Hold for ten counts.
• Raise chin, exhale slowly through nostrils and count up to ten.
• Repeat the process 15 times. Increase the duration gradually.

Benefits

• Cools the body by lowering the temperature.
• Reduces anxiety and stress to a large extent.

Bhujangasana

• Lie down on stomach with palms close to the chest and elbows tucked in.
• Inhale and lift upper body off the mat.
• Inhale deeply and hold breath for 15-20 seconds.
• Repeat three times.

Variation

From the basic posture, bend the legs while looking upwards and intensify the position.