Top expert shares strategies to reduce impact of stress and boost self-development

TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

Over a hundred people recently participated in a two-day stress management course organised by the Bahrain Mediation Centre on the benefits of meditation and self-development.

During sessions, Prakash Chugani, an executive coach, corporate trainer, and meditator, shared insights on ways to combat harmful influences, cultivate confidence in managing challenging relationships, and enhance decision-making capabilities in high-pressure situations through meditation.

While meditation has its roots in Asian traditions, Chugani emphasised that stress knows no nationality and underscored the importance of identifying the sources of stress as a key step towards finding solutions.

"Having a different nationality has no bearing on how stressed out one is," he said, adding that "stress can manifest in various ways, such as anger, annoyance, irritability, and the development of unhealthy habits triggered by activities we don’t recognise as stressors."

Chugani acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated stress levels, leading to an increase in panic attacks and anxiety. In such cases, he stressed, "We cannot rely on meditation; instead, a person would need a lot more support and mechanisms."

Chugani encouraged participants to exercise caution while maintaining a carefree mindset, enabling them to remain unaffected by external stressors.

"By accepting that certain stress-inducing factors are beyond their control, individuals can choose to remain calm, take responsibility for their actions, and focus on what truly matters."