OM NAMAH SHIVAYA CHANTING FOR MANAGEMENT OF STRESS IN ELDERLY WOMEN WITH HYPERTENSION

Stress is part and parcel of our life and stress management is gaining importance day by day. Traditional mantras are reported to be very effective for and safe methods. Hence the traditional knowledge of mantras should be practiced, preserved and propagated. Om Namah Shivaya is a most potent and popular mantra, which is at the heart of the Vedas and Tantra. The present study was aimed to observe beneficial effects of OM Namah Shivaya chanting for stress management in elderly women with hypertension. The study was conducted at Sattva Cultural Space and Research Centre, Angamaly, Kerala. 8 elderly women aged 55-65 years with stage 2 hypertension were recruited in the present study after obtaining written informed consent. After recording baseline values, participants underwent practice sessions for 3 days under supervision of yoga teacher from the centre. After the practice sessions, participants chanted Om Namah Shivaya for 108 times by using japamala with 108 beds at 6;30 in the morning for 40 days under supervision of yoga teacher. Participants were instructed to follow the routine diet pattern and life style and medications. Assessment of stress was performed by DASS questionnaire. Blood pressure was recorded by using Diamond digital sphygmomanometers (BPDG024). Cognitive functions were assessed by MMSE scores. We have observed significant decrease in depression, anxiety, stress scores and increase in MMSE scores followed by chanting. Though the blood pressure values were decreased, it was not statistically significant. Our study provides preliminary evidence for beneficial effects of Om Namah Shivaya chanting. We recommend further detailed studies in this area to understand role of chanting Om Namah Shivaya in stress management.