On 26 Jul, 2025, Seniors Today hosted their Weekly Health Live Webinar with a Senior Neurologist, Dr Sheetal Goyal who in light of 22 July being observed as World Brain Day and July being also observed as Brain awareness month, spoke on and answered questions about Dealing with Stress- the Holistic way; from a neurologists point of view.
Dr Sheetal has observed in her OPD that with most patients, 20% of the problem is neurological and the rest 80% is usually due to stress.
One such example is that of a patient with a headache, and the worry that she carries with her regarding the headache to an extent that it has started affecting the patient’s working capacity.
The “why” of the symptoms tend to increase health anxiety and starts to affect the daily activity.
When a patient presents with stroke, everyone around can tell that the individual has suffered a stroke, this can be either due to change in his gait, speech, etc. But when a person is paralysed from the mind, it is hidden from the world, and this is a silent pandemic in the world. Dr Sheetal has encountered many young boys and girls in her practice who are stressed. There has been an increase in the number of people presenting with stress because in its initial stages, it is often not recognised. And when recognised, there is also associated denial of the presence of the stressors. We need to understand and recognise when we are stressed. It not something to be ashamed of. Acknowledging the problems helps in finding the solution to it as well.
Sleep hygiene is essential to help you go to sleep timely. Certain tips and things to keep in mind when practicing sleep hygiene:
- Do not use your bed that you sleep for any other activity such as eating, drinking, work, etc.
- Before going to bed, clean your bedsheets and tidy up your bed
- Do not use your phone once you are in bed. The screen time and the screen activates the “wake up” centre of your brain; as a result of this, many patients complain that it takes them 3-4 hours to go to sleep.
- Pray before you sleep, express gratefulness/ gratitude
- Prepare your brain for sleep/ let it know that you are now going to shut it down
Loneliness in itself a disease. This is why you need to have a social circle or a social life where you can talk, share and discuss your issues with like minded and similarly aged people. It also helps with your memory.
The capacity of our people to deal with stress and stressful conditions has come down considerably. This partially stems from being brought up in a guarded environment. You should encourage your children to develop in harsh conditions in your absence. You need to train your brain. You can do so by starting yoga and meditation.
It should be a holistic approach wherein your entire family in involved in the activities.
Stress is not hereditary, it is rather environmental.
