Effect of bhramari pranayam in stress management in police personnel

The World Health Organization (WHO) conceptualizes Mental Health as a “state of wellbeing in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (1) Ayurveda has explained Mental stress as a symptom in various classical texts. (2) Ayurveda, has defined Satva as a guna of mana; while Raja and Tama are its doshas. An alpa Satva person is more susceptible to suffer from Mental disorders. (3) There are some causative factors for Manasika Vikaras like Asatmyendriyartha samyoga, Pragyaparadha, and Parinama. (4) An imbalance between Sharirik and Manasik doshas results in Manovaha strotas dushti ultimately leading to Manas rogas. (5) Pranayam is one of the parts of Ashtang Yoga which includes calming down the mind and body as well as enhancing work ability. (6) Bhramari pranayam is the best breathing exercise to

relax the mind from anxiety, frustration, anger and hesitation etc. which keeps affecting the performance of our body and mind. (7) By filling the lungs with air forcefully through nostrils, making the noise like male bee and expelling it slowly, making noise like female bee, this practice causes a sort of happiness in the mind of yogindras.(8) Bhramari pranayam is one of the techniques extensively used in society for dealing with stress. (9) Being a police officer is a highly demanding and stressful occupation, due to the current characteristics of modern societies.(10) The present study is an attempt to explore the positive effect of Bhramari pranayam in decreasing mental stress in policemen.