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Crash course on life: Surviving stress

Dubai - Morning Session in World Government Summit 2016 Offers Insight on Meditation as Way to Overcome Stress.

Stress. That common feeling we experience every day, perhaps every hour at our workplace and at home. It is the nature of the mind that gives rise to most of the stress, anxiety and fear, according to Pandit Dasa, US-based speaker and meditation teacher. Dasa presented a morning session prior to official opening of the summit with his talk on Crash Course on Life: Surviving Stress, on the first day of the World Government Summit in Dubai.
According to the American Institute of Stress, 46 per cent of all our stress comes from work, 28 per cent arises out of people's issues, 20 per cent from juggling professional and personal work, and 6per cent  from lack of job security.
 "The mind is very much like a hard drive with so many files on it. We are gathering thousands and thousands of impressions. The mind also compares like a sponge. Every people, and every place affects our consciousness," said Pandit Dasa.
 He added that on an average, a human mind processes 25,000-30,000 thoughts every day, which translates to an incredible 1000-2000 thoughts every hour, of which a lot are negative in nature.
 "A lot of these thoughts in our mind have a strong impact on the body, which affects overall health and wellbeing," Pandit Dasa noted.
 Pointing out that mindfulness, of which meditation is the most important component, is a powerful technique for combating stress, he said: "Mindfulness means becoming aware of one's thoughts and emotions and bringing one's mind to the present moment. It is the act of getting in touch with one's self. Meditation training makes you focus better, relaxes your body and mind."
Citing Forbes, Pandit Dasa further added: "Meditation makes you more productive, enhances creativity and memory. The Journal of American Medical Association also says "when it comes to treatment of depression, anxiety, pain, the [meditation] practice may be just as effective as medication. Meditation is a workout for your mind. The key is to make the mind your friend. And that's possible through meditation, which reduces conflict in our daily lives, improves relationships, makes us more connected and become more compassionate."
 The World Government Summit has attracted more than 3,000 personalities from over 125 countries, and 125 speakers in over 70 sessions. The attendees include VIPs and senior experts from the public and private sectors globally, ministers, decision makers, CEOs, innovators, officials, experts, entrepreneurs, academics, and university students. A number of initiatives, reports and studies are set to be launched during the summit and throughout the year. The summit runs from February 8 - 10, 2016 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.