TOWARDS STRESS RELIEF

Recent Health and Safety Executive research has again affirmed that a large number of employees experience excessive levels of stress linked to their jobs. The latest survey results (2006/7) indicate that ‘around 530,000 individuals in Britain believed that they were experiencing work-related stress at a level that was making them ill’ (Research project SWI06/07 HSE). This is 13.6% of all working individuals in the UK costing the British economy an estimated £530 million. The same survey indicated that managerial groups, especially in the public sector experienced higher than averages levels of stress.

Lectio Divina is a charitable trust especially set up to help people cope with stress through teaching a western style of meditation. Research has shown that regular meditation exercises help people to cope better with stress. Events organised by the LD trust will give people an understanding of stress and will introduce people to the benefits of meditation.

Stress

Work related stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them, (Health and Safety Executive),

Stress is a normal aspect of daily life. Stress responses enable us to cope better with demanding situations or to respond quickly in crisis. However when a stressful situation continues over an extended period of time, we are at risk of physical and emotional ill-health. Generally, stress levels increase when it is felt that excessive demands are made. Additionally, stress levels are adversely affected when employees feels they no control or influence over their situation and that they have no authority to organise the flow of work. Good management structures can help. Yet even with the best structures in place there will always be periods of ‘excessive’ pressure’.

Meditation

Meditation is a set of techniques that focus the mind and promote a state of calmness so that the mind and body can be brought into greater harmony to facilitate health and well-being.

Over the last 30 years western society has started to rediscover the benefits of meditation. In the same period scientific research has found that there are beneficial results for those who practice meditation as a way to relieve excessive levels of stress. Research concluded that meditation induces a host of biochemical and physical changes in the body collectively referred to as the “relaxation response”. The relaxation response includes changes in the metabolism, heart rate and respiration leading to improvements in the functioning of the immune system and thus better health. On the subjective level, people express better sense of well being, improved sleep patterns and a greater ability to cope with stress (Dr H Benson Body-mind medical Inst.; Harvard USA).
Yoga is probably the best known form of meditation practiced by many people across the UK. Most cultures and religious traditions, however, have forms of meditation. Courses run by The Lectio Divina Trust draw upon two traditions that originate from Europe: ‘Sacred Reading’ and ‘Ignatian Meditation’ known also by its modern description of ‘visualization’. The origins of both traditions lie within the Christian tradition but as with most forms of meditation there is no requirement on the part of the participants to hold religious beliefs – meditation techniques can be utilized by everyone! Best results are ‘achieved’ when the person practices meditation on a regular basis but basic meditation exercises can help when in a stressful situation. Both techniques are taught.

WHAT IS OFFERED

Meditation by its very nature is flexible, LD can offer a number of different approaches tailored to an organisation’s needs. Best practice would be to spend a whole day away from the work place where basic meditation techniques can be acquired, but because the innate flexibility of meditation other arrangements can be made.
Resources are available for people to take away with them and additional consultation can be provided.
An initial session consists off an introduction to the causes of stress. We then learn to practise some basic breathing and de-stressing exercises. These help with relieving of excessive levels of stress and can be practised in any situation. Following these exercises a number of different forms of meditation can be taught depending on the interests of those involved. Possibilities are: using the participants imagination, to find places of rest (visualisation); or using the written word (i.e. a poem etc.) to make connection with our own life’s. Further possibilities are: to use the visual arts (painting or film) as a tool for meditation.
People who have taken part in courses have expressed enthusiasm for these exercises, a greater sense of well-being, and ability to cope with stress in their busy professional life.

for futher information and charges: info@lectiodivina.co.uk