Managing Anxiety and Stress Holistically: Vedic Wisdom from the Purna Health Management System

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and stress are prevalent across the globe. The Purna Health Management System (PHMS), named for its creator Dr. Professor Svami Purna, provides a promising approach to managing anxiety and stress, using four key factors in a holistic integrated method: Health, Fitness and Nutrition (HF&N), Life Balance (Stress Management) (LB-SM), Spiritual Growth and Development (SG&D) and Living in Harmony with the Natural Environment to Support Health (LHWNE). Objective: To determine which of the four key factors of the PHMS correlate to participants’ overall stress, stress management and mental/emotional health outcomes and which practices are helpful in managing stress and anxiety. Methods: This was a cross-sectional mixed-methods study using an online anonymous survey with a non-clinical sample. Students of Dr. Professor Svami Purna were invited via email to participate in the study during a 12-month period in 20172018. Of the 253 approached, 60 responded to the survey. Spearman’s Rho Correlation coefficient was used for analysis. Results: There were moderate relationships (p <.001) between participants' frequent implementation of the PHMS four key factors and ability to manage stress (HF&N rs = 0.44; LB-SM rs = 0.55; SG&D rs = 0.39; LHWNE rs = 0.55) and self-reported mental/emotional health (HF&N rs = 0.42; LB-SM rs = 0.54; SG&D rs = 0.49; LHWNE rs = 0.45). Illustrative quotes from qualitative data indicated being in nature, contemplation, introspection, mantra, meditation, pranayama and reflection are helpful practices for managing stress and anxiety. Conclusion: The PHMS may help clients to self-manage anxiety and stress.