Mental tension has emerged as one of the major killer diseases of the modern world. It gives rise to many other diseases like hypertension, heart attacks and peptic ulcers. Diseases like bronchial asthma, psoriasis and diabetes are augmented because of mental tension. The mind or psyche is the most powerful part of the body. It governs all parts of the body and regulates its working. When one is very much excited or agitated, there is release of adrenalin from the adrenal medulla which causes increase in respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure and can also precipitate heart- attacks. Depression and or anxiety can alter intestinal motility causing constipation or diarrhoea. Mental tension thus affects the body in multiple ways.Mental tension depends on the mind set and conditioning of an individual. Some people tend to get upset over trivial things. Even if something small has happened, they would remain upset for at least 2 days. A mentally strong person may not be tense till he faces a major problem. Whatever may be the reason for mental tension, it should be avoided as it is harmful. Some simple principles of life need to be followed to be relaxed. Many times people worry about unpleasant things said by someone. One should avoid keeping stale thoughts. Fill the mind with fresh, pleasant thoughts each day.On encountering some problem it is better to keep a cool mind and think of a solution. On confronting some problem people get so tensed up that instead of solving the problem, they mess it more. If there is a problem beyond control, then it is best to leave it to time to solve it. After all what is the use of bothering about something which you cannot do at present. Occasionally, a man is needed to take decisions, which may be right or wrong. Some people tend to moan over wrong decisions of past all the time and remain tense. After all past cannot be undone, it is useless to spoil one’s present and become sick over the past. Being ambitious and setting high goals in life is good. But after putting in hard work if one does not get the desired results, it should not become cause for mental tension. With a cool mind, one can analyze the cause for failure and try to correct it.Some people are very egoist and consider themselves to be very superior in their calibre. Such persons are always tense mentally due to their ego. This is a wrong attitude. The world is a big place with many intelligent people. Many individuals resort to addictions to relax mentally. This is harmful. Sleeping pills if taken frequently are also addicting and should be avoided. Some weak minded persons break down so much by mental tension that they have to consult psychiatrists for finding relief. It does not make much sense. If you are not ready to let your mind relax, how can you expect some other person to do that for you? Anti- depressants and tranquilizers used for decreasing mental tension have many side effects. Thus, if one takes these medications for mental tension, they would cause more harm than good.Physical exercises and sports are useful to keep body and mind relaxed. Good creative past-times help in taking one’s mind off unpleasant things.For people who, suffer from mental tension, there are few suggestions, which if followed, would provide relief. Consider how important is your problem? Nothing is more important than life, so if the problem is not life threatening, it is not worth worrying. Keep yourself busy always. Good adjustment and understanding at home and work place help to keep a person healthy mentally and a person should always strive to maintain it. Breathing exercises help to keep the mind relaxed. If done regularly, people benefit from them immensely.It is not difficult to keep off mental tension. It only needs a little effort and will for it. One can always remain happy and mentally healthy.
