Physical Stress Vs. Mental Stress And Necessity Of Stress-control..

Phvsical Stressvs.Mental Stressand necessitvot stress-control - Rajib Kumar Ray. Before entering into the core subjectlet me touch a few points. Existence: Therearetwo typesof existences: o o

Physical Abstract

Phvsical existence: An object/mattermay be statedto be physically existent when its existencecan be established physically by sight, smell, touch etc. or, by measurementsby instruments such as scales, different types of meters,etc. Examples of physical existence: a building, a lamp-post, a scale, pencil or a book, a flower, wind, electricity, etc. Suchobjects/ mattersmay be calledplrysical objectsor maffers. Abstract existence: An object, rather, a non-materialisticexpression,may be statedto be abstractlyexistentwhen its existencecan be understoodby extending our deepestmental sights, but can not be established physically. Examplesof abstractexistence:love, god, corporateof an organization,mind*,zero, infinity etc. Suchexistencesin abstractform may be called abstract or, spiritual expressions. When an incidenceor a phenomenonoccurs at a place which exists physically, the occurrenceis also physically existent. Suy, an ODI cricket match is being played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.As EdenGardenphysicallyexists,the ODI match is alsophysicallytaking place. On the other hand,when a phenomenonoccurs at a placewhich exists in an abstractmanner,the occurence of the phenomenon is also abstract. The phenomenon,"mental stress" occurs in mind*, which abstractlyexists.So, mentalstressis also an abstractphenomenon.

* Note: There may be debate about considering mind to exist in abstract manner. Some may argue that at one time when we did not know that there was a matter called brain', we used to consider mind to exist in abstract way. But after the scientists could establishthe functions of brain, the words 'mind' and 'brain'became synonymousand this exists purely in physical form. Hence the earlier concept of mind can no longer remain in vogue. But the realisations and interpretations that I have based upon in this article are that: l) The earlier concept about mind still prevails in the sameway. What the scientistsdiscoveredin the name of 'brain', was an organ of mind. Brain and mind are not the same thing. We rather came to know through the discovery of the scientists that mind had an organ to work with, called the 'brain'. 2) Mind exists in abstract manner whereas brain exists physically.

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A living human being is a blend of both the above - it has a body which is composed of physical matters, as well as mind, life ('prana') and soul ('atma') which are spiritual expressiolls. We know from physics that when a force P acts on a body, the body inducesa reaction R equal in magnitudebut oppositeto the direction of the force (Figure-l). The reactioninducedper unit ateais calledstress.

Figure-1

If we go on increasingthe value of the force P, the phenomenoncontinues until the limiting condition is reached;on further increasingthe value of P, the body can not yield greateramount of & and as a result,the materialof the body fails.

In physics: R Stress,

o:

..... (A) A

Where,R is the reactioninducedby the body againstapplicationof the force P, and A is the areaon which the force P acts. At the limiting condition, the stressis called "limiting stress" and the force P, if increased further,will renderthe body to fail and becomeuselessfor any purposefuljob.

For mind:

Rm Mental Stress,

Om : Am

Where, R- is the mental reaction induced in anticipation of any deformation/ deviation or any actual deformation of expectation(s)or desire(s),induced by the sight of any signal, real or imaginary, carrying any such message (this signal may be comparedwith the external force P, as in physics), and, Ao, is the areaof mentalactivation. Here also, there is a limiting condition when the stressmay be called "limiting mental stress", beyond which a human being fails to disposeany purposeful work. A little thinking revealsthat the purpose of a human being is to dischargeuseful work. So, the life of a person turns meaningless,when it becomesworthless for any purposeful work. Hence, it is necessaryto practise control of mental stressto maintain it within tolerable limit.

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From the equation(B), it is obvious that the techniqueof control of mental stressis to reducethe valueof Om , which may be achievedby: o Reducing the value of the numeratorR., i.e., the mental reaction o Increasingthe value of the denominatorArn, i.e.,the areaof mentalactivation

Reducing the value of Rm,i.e,, the mental reaction As alreadydiscussed,mental reaction is induced in anticipation of any deformation/ deviation or any actual deformationof expectation(s)or desire(s).To reduceRm,we have to emphasizeupon: . Framing a realistic level of expectation/desire o Own behavioural control, to maximise the achievement towards fulfillment of expectations. Framing a realistic level of expectation/ desire: This involves fixing one's goal or expectation level in a realistic manner, paying due regards/ concern to his/her strengthsand abilities, weaknessesand constraints,resourcesand also willpower. While fixing suchgoal, one must be fully optimistic,positive and realistic,but shouldnot be cloudedwith fantasies. Own behavioural control: This involvespractisingthe following: o o o o o o

o a o

Self-analysis Honesty Discipline Diligence Physicalexercisesfor fitness and active habits Feeling of responsibility towards any duty - official, social, organizational,educational or familial Not to procrastinate Teamfeeling Time management.

Increasing the value of the denominator A' i.e., the area of mental activation. Human mind, being abstractin natureand a spiritual expression,can be widely interpreted.Mind itself is its own interpreter.It is the driver of the brain, either in conscious,or in subconsciousor both. By virtue of one's controlled emotion and positive imagination, one can extend the areaof activation of mind up to infinity and becomeable to conceptualisethe whole universe and even the Parama Brahma (vw 7H)

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this Figure-2 : Byextending evenfar beyond theactivated areaof mindonecanvisttalise On the other hand, negative emotions and lack of positive imagination shortensthe mind's activation to only a very small area,and as such, one can not concepfualisebroader aspectsof higher levels. Under such state,on the occurence of any slightest deviation from expectations, one focuses on it so immensely and so delusively that the infinite mental area apparently becomesblocked,while he/ sheactivatesonly a very small mental area. It may be understoodby one example. When in a cricket match, there is a doubtful appeal for caught-behind,the third umpire zoomsthe TV cameraon the small areaof the bat wherethe ball might have touched.The small areais enlargedto the entire areaof screenand the ball appearsto be big (as in figure-4),but truly, it remainsas small as it is (as in figure-3).

...rs,c.t*{ +.rt,jr l :. -.tt Y

-.6'+' ".

Figure- 3

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qts

Figure- 4

Narrowing the activated areaof mind makes one much attachedto the expectationand highly concernedto its deviationas well.

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- 5: In thelong-shot photograph, invisible theballisalmost Figure Alternatively, if we see a long-shot photograph of the event, the same ball becomes almost invisible (Figure-5). In the samewoy, when a higher mental arcais activated,the vision of one broadensand he/ she starts looking at life on a broader perspective;and in the light of such vision, any deviation of expectation,which usually is treated by him/ her with much concern, causinghigh stress,becomesignorable. So, for a true conceptualisationand realisation, one should practise to apply higher mental activation area,thus increasingthe value of the denominator,A,,,, as in equation(B), resulting in desiredreduction of mental stress.

I PARAMATMAI sour-rl Iruuvensnl

fl

ATMA (souL)

HIGHER LEVEL

PRANA (LrFE) MIND BRAIN BODY

LOWER LEVEL

,lI IMATERTALSI Figure- 6

Activation of higher mental area may be achieved through mental exercises,which involve uniting the mind with the higher level and harmonising the body with the mind (figure-6), through yogicl spiritual practices.