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PREKSHA MEDITATION, THERAPY AND CURES/207
nervous system which reduces the secretion of gastrin. These effects of Preksha diminish the chances of any digestive disorders. Preksha Asana also includes the exercises of diaphragm. Voluntary movements of diaphragm control the Vegus Nerve. Preksha also teaches one to control emotions and to observe silence while eating with concentration. This also prevents any possible mishap of getting food entered in to the wind pipe. It is an interesting medical fact that both wind and food pipes share a common lid called epiglottis which closes off the larynx and trachea when the food or drink is swallowed. Talking and other unwarranted movements during eating may cause food to enter the wind pipe which, in worst case, may choke a person to death. Preksha, therefore, teaches us to be conscious of entire eating process and to disregard the surroundings.
5. Depression
An ailment rising from the fast and materialistic life style is - depression. Most people experience low spirits at some time in their lives. Symptoms of depression have a very wide spectrum. Though the basic feeling of low spirit is common in all kinds of depression, neurosis and psychosis result in experiences like, sadness, worthlessness, delusions, hallucinations etc. In extreme cases of mania, persons become aggressive and irritable. At times, severely depressed people develop suicidal tendencies as well.
Reasons of neurotic depression could either be a bereavement or failure. Psychotic depression may result from physical reasons like malfunctioning of endogenous system including some parts of brain such as hypothalamus. Whatever the reason, depression is mostly treated by those medicines which increase the dopamine and stops serotonin uptake. Dopamine stimulates the brain cells, initiates the exchange of sodium and potassium ions resulting in electrical impulses. In extreme cases where antidepressant drugs fail, doctors resort to Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) to cause a temporary epilepticlike fit. Brain undergoes a momentary seizure and chances of restoration of normal functioning increases.
Keeping mentally fit is a skill which everybody can and should master. It is a two-pronged strategy -
5.1. Relieving tension by • Muscle Relaxation • Deep Breathing
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