Stress-Busters!

By - RKM GURUGRAM
28.07.26 08:22 AM

Stress has been repeatedly identified as a major cause of mental health problems. But life itself is a constant source of stress, isn't it? So how do we keep ourselves serene and sane when we are endlessly battling life. We ran a survey among our team members and the larger VIVA family, stakeholders included. This blog comprises the incisive responses we received. We start with a short video by Swami Shantatmananda speaking on the spiritual response to the stresses of life. We hope that the ideas presented in the blog makes all the readers feel that they are not alone and can constructively cope with stress.

Sources of Stress

The first question was on what the respondents felt were the sources of stress for them? For instance, these could include work, studies, relationships, health, finances, deadlines, uncertainty or anything else. Respondents were free to elaborate if they felt the need to.

All of the above. 

Dealing with stubborn and indifferent people, high self-expectations, self-criticism and guilt

Uncertainty - Not having a solution, and too many things on the plate at the same time

Uncertainty

work, relationships, autonomy, health, and finances

Not sure about the reason 

The common sources of stress in my life are  primarily relationships and uncertainty about the future. Living alone, while my son and his family are abroad, sometimes heightens my sense of uncertainty and the need to manage everything on my own.  I also find myself stressed by situations where people disregard basic social norms, show a lack of civic responsibility, or engage in corruption. Unclean surroundings and public negligence affect me as I strongly value cleanliness, discipline, and consideration for others. Overall, my stress is less about material concerns and more about interpersonal relationships, uncertainty, and the desire to live in a responsible, ethical, and well-organized society.

Sometimes, life itself feels overwhelming. It's not always one specific issue, but the weight of managing everything at once. At times, the stress isn't even personal, it's the state of the world around us. News of conflict, injustice, or uncertainty leaves me feeling somewhat helpless, and that emotional burden can be just as stressful as my own challenges.

My biggest sources of stress are uncertainty, unexpected situations. I also tend to overthink and put pressure on myself to do my best in every responsibility. However, I have learned to manage these challenges by focusing on what I can control and letting go of what I cannot.

The common sources of stress in my life is maintaining work pressure and family responsibilities.

Regaining Calm and Balance

The second question posed to the respondents was:

What helps you regain calm and balance when you feel stressed? This could include meditation, prayer, exercise, spending time in nature, reading, music, hobbies, conversations with loved ones or any other practice that works for you.

I give time for things to happen and reduce my expectations.

Listening to mantras(morning), exercising, watching Shammi Kapoor/Dev Anand movies, treating myself to a chocolate bar, crocheting and sketching.

Chanting Mantra and connecting with nature

Prayer, reading, nature, singing

breathing, cold water, chanting, music, dance, and arts

Meditation, prayers and music

To manage stress, I follow a regular routine of exercise, yoga, pranayama, and meditation. These practices help me stay physically active, mentally calm, and emotionally balanced.  I find great peace in nature, which is why I love travelling to the hills and beaches whenever I get the opportunity. I also have many potted plants in my balconies. Caring for them and enjoying their beauty brings me a sense of calm and helps me feel more connected to nature.  Music is another important source of relaxation for me. I especially enjoy listening to evergreen Hindi songs by legendary singers such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, and Sonu Nigam.  I also value meaningful relationships. Talking to my close friends, sharing experiences, and staying connected with them helps me unwind and regain a positive perspective.  These activities together help me cope with stress in a healthy and positive way, enabling me to maintain both inner peace and emotional wellbeing. 

Sometimes, engaging in some form of creative work like editing photographs or designing/redesigning a deck gives my mind a healthier place to focus. I also try to step away from social media whenever I feel overwhelmed, withdraw from people and prefer to spend time on my own. The solitude helps me process my thoughts and regain clarity. In particularly difficult phases, I immerse myself in work to keep my mind from dwelling all over the place.  Above all, I remind myself that there are people facing far greater challenges, yet they continue to move forward with courage and hope. That keeps me grounded and reminds me that I, too, can overcome what I'm going through. On a lighter note and I'm not sure if this belongs in a serious questionnaire, but it's true, if I happen to find a cat, I'll stop and pet it. If I can't, cat videos usually do the trick. They are real "stress busters" 😄

Meditation is my biggest stress buster. Whenever I feel stressed, I practice meditation and simple breathing exercises to calm my mind. Spending time at the ghats of the Ganga gives me peace. Watching the river flow reminds me that life keeps moving forward, no matter what. It helps me let go of my worries and feel calm again. I also enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. Cooking helps me relax, keeps me busy, and makes me happy.

A simple night walk

Experience Sharing

We then asked the respondents to share a specific experience where their chosen practice helped them handle a stressful situation.

When we shift from one state to another the paperwork can take much longer than expected and there is nothing to do but to give it time.


- Anuradha Balaram

When I'm stressed, I learn a new skill or work on a challenging crochet/knitting project or read a book. It helps shift my focus away from the stress. Staying creatively engaged helps me feel calmer and more focused.


- Nidhi Agarwal

There are often situations when you feel stuck. You know the way to solve the problem but many others involved are not on the same page like you. You feel helpless and do not have the solution to move forward. You want to make right decisions but you are often misunderstood. 


As I connected with nature it helped me. The sun told me that one that shines, always shines. For some, it may feel as light and warmth but for others, it may appear as heat and a tan - perspective differs. Plants told me to have patience,  it takes time to grow and give fruits to others - Building trust as well as acceptance of conscious calls over self interest requires effort and time. The sky appears to be blue but it is not so actually - the outlook could be tainted. Rivers told me to look for flow and not obstacles.


- Sakshi Goyal

Surrender problems to God.


- Ranjana Bhattacharya

Singing before a final exam in a semester taught me that music helped me regulate my breathing, calm my nervous system, and focus more effectively during the otherwise anxiety-ridden testing process.


- Srishti Roy

Music and prayers was the therapy I turned to during the stressful covid epidemic when my husband suffered severely from covid. 


Music and prayers gives a lot of positivity and keeps one calm.


- Piya Chakraborty

At times, I also experience stress when I have differences of opinion with my son. Living in different countries has naturally brought some generational and cultural differences, as he is now more influenced by Canadian culture. Occasionally, these differences lead to misunderstandings, which can be emotionally challenging for me.

Whenever I feel stressed, I consciously turn to pranayama, meditation, and spending time in nature. These practices help me calm my mind, regain emotional balance, and look at the situation with greater acceptance and clarity.

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that we cannot always change people or circumstances. The only things within our control are our own thoughts, attitudes, and responses. Choosing acceptance over resistance and focusing on what I can control brings me inner peace. This mindset, along with my spiritual practices, helps soothe my mind and enables me to move forward with greater positivity and serenity.

- Harsh Syal

One of the most stressful phases of my life came when I was diagnosed with dengue and typhoid while living alone, away from home. I struggled with high fever and constant vomiting. Even then, I refused to get admitted to the hospital. Looking back, that decision became a source of constant anxiety. My mind kept asking, "Should I have been admitted? What if my condition gets worse? How will I manage all alone?" The fear of the unknown was often more exhausting than the illness itself.

Reaching home brought relief, but the stress did not end there. Every platelet count test felt like a test of my emotions. I would anxiously wait for each report, worrying about what it might reveal. It was difficult to stop imagining the worst.

During this time, some well-wishers encouraged me to practice meditation, simple breathing exercises, and read the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. I decided to follow their advice sincerely. Slowly, I noticed a change, not just in my thoughts but also in my recovery. As my mind became calmer, I felt stronger, more hopeful and better able to support my own healing.

That experience changed my understanding of stress. I realized that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we can choose how we respond to them. For me, meditation became more than a stress buster. It became a source of courage, acceptance, and inner peace. I truly experienced that when my mind began to heal, my body followed.

As Swami Vivekananda said, "Strength is life, weakness is death." Those words remind me that true strength is not just physical. It is the strength of a calm and steady mind, especially in the face of uncertainty.

- Indrani Mondal

Once I didn't have any money and I had to shift to another place with my family. I felt alone and helpless. At that time I felt not everything is in our hands and waited to see what happens. I went out for a walk. When I came home, that problem was solved - a well wisher gave me some money.


- Dilip Tanwar

Stopping to pet a cat - a superb stress relieving technique


- Shatarupa

RKM GURUGRAM

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