There is no point in trying to eliminate stress. The key to enhance  the quality of one’s  life is to cope up with stress, said Dr A Malathi, Head, Medical Services, Wockhardt Hospitals and a reputed speaker on stress management.

“When you learn to manage stress, it becomes a pleasure. You can use it to your advantage by using it as a challenge. All of us work better when we are challenged,” Dr Malathi said. She was delivering a talk on stress management to RTO officials at the MSIL building at Cunningham Road.

The vital aspect is to first recognise that you are under stress. And then comes the question if you are prepared to address it, the speaker said. Among the steps listed out to handle stress were: Positive approach towards everything, good exercise and a good diet.

It is also very important to learn to get detatched from unhappy events or failures in life. “By brooding over  traumatic events, we live in the past and not the present,” she said.

Taking steps to calm down your mind, introspection, social service, yoga and relaxation techniques, visiting religious places, discussing with someone or spending time with nature are important ways to destress oneself.
The over two-hour speech was interlaced with humorous and thought-provoking anecdotes to handle stress.
The story of the carrot, egg and powdered coffee bean powder is worth recounting. Three different cups of water are boiled and the three specified edibles are dropped into them. The carrot becomes soft, the egg becomes hard while the coffee bean merges with the water and emanates an aroma.

Those who are carrot-like in their approach have started life prettty boldly, but have encountered difficult times and are coming out thoroughly stressed out. Those who behave like the egg have started out life with a sympathetic and soft approach but have hardened due to the blows life has inflicted on them. But those who are like the coffee bean have not only jelled well with the surroundings but have transformed them and brought joy to the life of others.

It is very important in life to be life the coffee beans which enjoy life and spread joy around, Dr Malathi said.
The speech went down well with the gathering who took part enthusiastically in the relaxation exercises.