February 23, 2002

The author is a senior fellow and a visiting faculty at the Institute of Management Studies at Varanasi, India. Her book is a paperback of 281 pages on the subject of stress, and addressed mainly to professional managers, who want to understand the “why”, the “how” and the “what” of stress.

The book is divided into three sections. The first deals with concepts about the causation of stress, the second with the various stressful solutions that one encounters in life, and the third outlines methods for handling stress.

The author correctly points out that stress has always been with us and even Adam must have undergone stress on being expelled from paradise! In spite of the increasing affluence of the Western countries, the stress levels have not reduced in those countries. It is estimated that 70-90 per cent of the medical problems, which doctors encounter in the West, are stress related.

The book is well arranged and easy to read. Important issues are highlighted in bold script, and concepts illustrated with charts and diagrams. Useful references are provided at the end, for additional reading, but they do not always connect to the issues discussed. On page 84, there is a major typographical error, showing diastolic blood pressure as systolic, and systolic as diastolic.

Amongst the models of stress discussed are the “overload-underload” one, during which the person is overloaded with work or underloaded with the lack of work. In an overloaded condition the situation is similar to a car, which is running beyond the speed limit and therefore likely to meet with an accident. The underloaded condition is also stressful, because it creates boredom and financial pressures. Unfortunately, the underloaded condition is getting worse, due to the worldwide recession and high unemployment. I think it won’t be an exaggeration to state, that one of the reason for increasing suicide rates, amongst the young in Pakistan, is the non-availability of jobs.

In another model, which the author calls the “cognitive” model, the stressed person incorrectly assesses the prevailing situation. To him the events appear more tragic and alarming than they actually are. The solution lies in proper and balanced analysis of the stress causing issues. This is best done through the help of a therapist.

In the “person-environment” model, stress occurs due to a maladjustment between the person and the demands made on him by a variety of environmental factors, such as change in relationships, location, job, retirement and emigration to another country.

In the last section of the book a lot of good advice is given about coping with stress. The author emphasizes the need to build both physical and psychological reserves. The physical health could be kept at an optimal level by sufficient exercise, proper diet, rest and sleep. Psychological reserves are built by having close emotional ties with family members and friends. It is “wiser to invest in quality time and nurturing relationships rather than in acquiring material wealth”. Psychological strength is also built by spiritual activities, which makes a person noble, kind and friendly.

Another practical advice given is to keep a diary of daily activities. This helps in self-analysis and solving personal problems. But one has to be totally honest and not put the blame on others. As Oscar Wilde famously observed, “It is not the priest but the confession that grants us absolution.”

The author also discusses various relaxation techniques and meditative practices. A section is devoted to “Vipassana meditation”, which is Buddha’s discovery. In this meditation, silence is observed for 10 days and the meditator concentrates on the bodily sensations and the thoughts passing through the mind. Many people find this meditation very therapeutic, but it has to be done under the guidance of a teacher. The full benefit of this meditation occurs if it is done along with the five precepts integral to the Buddhist philosophy.

These are:-

1. Abstinence from taking life (human and animal).

2. Abstinence from telling lies.

3. Abstinence from stealing.

4. Abstinence from sexual misconduct.

5. Abstinence from intoxicants.

Internet provides information of various locations where “Vipassana meditation” training is available.

In short, leading a moral life is in itself the best anti-stress strategy. Sadly this is not often realized. The cruel acts and evil deeds that we do, take a very heavy toll on our happiness and wellbeing, and these acts cannot be simply washed away by performing religious rituals.

This small book contains a lot of useful information, and is well worth buying. However, my advice to the author would be to expand and re-write it in greater detail, at least some of the important chapters, so as to enhance its value to a serious reader.

Stress in life and at work
By Rita Agarwal
Sage Publications, M 32 Market, Greater Kailash 1, New Delhi-110 048
Email: marketing@indiasage.com
ISBN 0-7619-9529-3
281pp. Indian Rs225

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