Laughing and Exercising are good ways to relieve stress: Dr RK Lenin
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 02 2021:
The fifth talk of the Virtual Series of National Talks, organised by Fit India Campaign Committee and Fit India Club, Manipur University as a part of Fit India Movement, was conducted today.
Dr Rk Lenin Singh, Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) spoke on "Stress Management during Pandemic".
Dr Lenin mentioned that the modern world is a world of stress.
Though we have been coping well with the stress during the normal time before pandemic, with the coming up of this sudden pandemic, it becomes difficult to cope and creates more stress among the people.
It is said that there is no life without challenges, but we need to do something to overcome such challenges.
Similarly, there are no people without stress, but management is required, he added.
He explained different kinds of stressor, types of stress and different indicators of stress in our body, mind, emotions and behaviour.
Physical signs such as high blood pressure, changes in weight, frequent colds or infections, and changes in the menstrual cycle and libido, Behavioural signs such as poor self-care, not having time for the things you enjoy, or relying on drugs and alcohol to cope are signs of stress, he added.
He further added in his lecture that laughter is a great form of stress management, and that's no joke.
A good laugh has great short term and long term positive effects.
Exercise is one of the best strategies for managing stress.
Physical exercise can help lower overall stress levels and improve the quality of life, both mentally and physically.
Exercising regularly can have a positive effect on mood by relieving the tension, anxiety, anger, and mild depression that often go hand-in-hand with stress.
It can improve the quality of sleep, which can be negatively impacted by stress, depression, and anxiety.
It can also help boost confidence levels.
Talking about Covid-19 Pandemic and mental health, he has mentioned that this pandemic is creating various problems in mental health of the people like fear and apprehension, sleep disturbance, change in appetite, difficulty in adaptability, irritability, boredom and frustration, domestic violence, substance abuse and even worried well also.
He also mentioned that lack of knowledge of Covid-19, lack of healthy behaviours, news of lack in effective treatment, economic problems, impact of social media and Quarantine/Lockdown/Curfew itself are some of the major factors worsening fear and panic among the people.
He has advised all the people with co-morbidities to take vaccine at the earliest possible after consultation.
In the discussion session, he answered various questions from, Kangujam Ronald, Thangjam Medha Devi, Budhachandra, Thoungamba, Okram Palin, Mayanglambam Banita and others.
The fifth Virtual Series of National Talks concluded with the speaker answering satisfactorily the questions put up by the participants and thanking Dr Rk Lenin Singh for sharing his in-depth knowledge and information on the topic by the Moderator and Convenor.
Convenor, Dr.Laishram Santosh Singh also requested all the participants to take part in the next session to be held on June 4, 2021 at 11 am, on the topic "Nutrition Self Management during Pandemic" by Ekkta Kundu, Qua Nutritionist, Bangalore.