Psychophysiological Effects of Yoga for Adults With Occupational Stress: Yoga in the Workplace

Psychophysiological Effects of Yoga for Adults With Occupational Stress: Yoga in the Workplace

Umesh Pal Singh
Copyright: © 2018 |Pages: 24
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2788-6.ch019
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Abstract

Stress is a psychological process initiated by events that threaten, harm or challenge an organism or that exceed available coping resources and it is characterized by psychological responses that are directed towards adaptation. PNI research suggests that chronic stress can lead to or exacerbate mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, cognitive (thinking) problems, personality changes, and problem behaviors. In survival mode, the optimal amounts of cortisol can be lifesaving. But, chronic elevated levels can lead to serious issues. Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. Among the well-known types of yoga are Asthang yoga and Hath yoga. Moving yourself into a healthy parasympathetic state, and staying there as much of the time as possible, helps heal all health conditions, both physical and emotional ones as well. The parasympathetic system returns the body's physiological conditions to normal (homeostasis). Vagus Nerve Stimulation normalizes an elevated HPA axis (Selfhacked, 2015).
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Stressors And Components Of Stress

Stress is normally experienced by three sources. 1. The environment, 2. Physical strain and 3. Self appraisal. Any factor that causes stress is called a stressor. There are two kinds of stressors: processive stressors and systemic stressors. Stress can be caused by either processive stressors or systemic stressors. Processive stressors are elements in the environment perceived by the organism as potential dangers. These do not cause damage directly, but are processed in the cerebral cortex. The processed information is then sent via the limbic system in the hypothalamus, where they activate the supreme centers of the autonomic nervous system. This results in the fight-or-flight response.

Besides stress which might be termed “of a personal character” there are other harmful factors (systemic stressors) influencing our health. These include the pollution of the environment. The origin of diseases known to man may be linked to city and industrial noise. They cause over-stimulation of the nervous system, which results in neurosis.

There are three components to the concept of stress

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