This document summarizes a seminar on managing stress presented by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The seminar consisted of two sessions: the first discussed understanding stress through its physical and emotional symptoms and sources, while the second focused on managing stress through healthy habits, mindfulness, and chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Practical stress management is presented through ancient Vedic wisdom from scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita emphasizing a balanced lifestyle and engaging the mind in spiritual topics to gain control over thoughts and find peace.

1. Stress Management
Solution from the timeless vedas
International Society for Krishna Consciousness

4. Our team
Tattvavit Nimai Das

5. Schedule
Session-1
Understanding Stress - 40 min
Break – 5 min
Session-2
Managing Stress – 30 min
Q&A Session
Prasadam

6. Seminar Contents
Session – 1
• Understanding
stress
• Effects of stress
• Symptoms
• Types of stress
/Source of stress
• Scriptural point
of view
• Teachers stress
Session – 2
• Stress
management
from timeless
knowledge
• Summary
• Practical
application

7. Session - 1
Understanding Stress

8. Activity - 1

9. Activity results
Scores Status
1-6 Few hassles
7-12 Pretty good control
13-17 Danger zone
18+ Stressed out

10. Understanding stress
From Hans Selye & Richard S Lazarus (Scientist)
"demands exceed the personal and
social resources the individual is able to
mobilize."
In short, it's what we feel when we think we've lost
control of events!
Demand
Capacity

11. Example - 1
Strings of Guitar

12. Example - 2
Sculptor

13. What happens when we are stressed?
 Our body responds as though something is in
danger!
 It makes hormones that speed up
 our heart,
 breathe faster, and
 give us a burst of energy!
 This is called the fight-or-flight stress
response!

14. Physical symptoms of stress
 Low energy
 Headaches
 Upset stomach,
including diarrhea, constipation and nausea
 Aches, pains and tense muscles
 Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
 Insomnia
 Frequent colds and infections
 Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear
 Cold or sweaty hands and feet
 Excess sweating
 Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
 Clenched jaw and grinding teeth

15. Emotional symptoms of stress
 Becoming easily agitated
 Frustrated and moody
 Feeling overwhelmed
 like you are losing control or need to take control
 Having difficulty in relaxing
 Feeling bad about yourself
 low self-esteem
 lonely
 worthless and depressed
 Avoiding others

16. How do we get stress ?
1. From our environment
2. From others
3. From our own body & mind
Environment

17. 1. Adidaivika klesha
(from nature)
2. Adibauhtika klesha –
problems from others
3. Adiatmika klesha
(from our own body)

18. What does vedic scriptures say about
types of stress
Srimad Bhagavatam. 7.13.31
ādhyātmikādibhir duḥkhair
avimuktasya karhicit
martyasya kṛcchropanatair
arthaiḥ kāmaiḥ kriyeta kim
Materialistic activities are always mixed with three kinds of
miserable conditions — adhyātmika, adhidaivika and adhibautika.
Therefore, even if one achieves some success by performing such
activities, what is the benefit of this success? One is still subjected
to birth, death, old age, disease and the reactions of his fruitive
activities.

19. Recent study says,
Jobs with the highest rates of work-related
stress are
 Social work
 Teaching and
 Public administration

20. Activity - 2
What are the top 5 stresses you go through ?

21. Teacher’s Stress
We try to be perfect
Instead of trying to be perfect, acknowledge that mistakes can
happen!!
We always want to try harder
Instead of trying harder, try something different
We always want to stay strong
Instead of trying to be strong, decide to be human

22. Stress management based on vedic values
Arjuna was in most stressful
situation possible
 In the middle of Battle field
 Amongst family members
He had stress symptoms
 Mouth dried
 Bow falling off

23. Stress management lessons given
by Lord Sri Krishna
“Bhagavad Gita
As It Is”
informs us how
to manage
stress

24. Break time!

25. Session - 2
Managing stress

26. Activity- 3
Just contemplate – try to understand!!!!
What do we really want?
What is our real desire?

27. What are the ways to manage stress
 Exercise regularly.
 Eat Healthy
 Manage your time wisely
 Spend time with people you love
 Don’t rely on Drugs
 Keep a positive, realistic attitude.
 Stand up for yourself in a polite way.
 Share your feelings, opinions, or beliefs,
instead of becoming angry, defensive, or
passive.

28. What do we learn from
“Bhagavad Gita As It Is”
Bhagavad Gita 6.17
yuktāhāra-vihārasya
yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu
yukta-svapnāvabodhasya
yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā
He who is temperate in his habits of eating,
sleeping, working and recreation can mitigate
all material pains by practicing the yoga system

29. Is it so easy to temperate all of
our habit?
Why are we not able to
temperate our habit?
Uncontrolled Mind

30. With uncontrolled mind can we
solve our problem/stress
Problems cannot be solved with the
same mind set that created them.
Albert Einstein

31. Mind control
Bhagavad Gita 2.66
nāsti buddhir ayuktasya
na cāyuktasya bhāvanā
na cābhāvayataḥ śāntir
aśāntasya kutaḥ sukham
One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a
controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no
possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without
peace?

32. Engage the mind in higher things
Bhagavad Gita 2.59
visayā vinivartante
nirāhārasya dehinah
rasa-varjam raso 'py asya
param drstvā nivartate
The embodied soul may be restricted from sense
enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But,
ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher
taste, he is fixed in consciousness.

33. Mind & Intelligence
“You have the
ability to change
the way you
think and live.
That can avoid
stress.”
Parents ~ Intelligence
Mind
Storehouse Of thoughts

34. Etymology of “Mantra”
Mind Deliverance

35. Mantra meditation –
Elevates our consciousness
The most effective & the easiest
way – chant holy names of the Lord
Krishna
Rama
Rama
Krishna
Krishna

36. Understanding – Holy Names
Phone - words
Antimatter - Matter
Holy Name – Movie Songs
Food - Soul

37. Build Your House on a Foundation of
Rock
Strong Foundation – Spiritual (value based) foundation
When Stress Comes – We will live with Integrity
When temptation comes – We will embrace our values & not
compromise
Adhering to values – Makes life more meaningful & fulfilling
Proper management of stress

38. Practical – Some Examples
Alfred B Ford ~ Ford Motors
Srila Prabhupad - Acharya
George Harrison ~ The Beatles

39. Please chant
Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare
Hare Rama
Hare Rama
Rama Rama
Hare Hare
And be happy

40. Q&A

41. Take home
1. Stress requires proper management
2. You have the power to change your
life
3. Mind control - Spiritual foundation
4. Chant & Be Happy
5. Completely practical

42. Thank you
Hare Krishna!