ROLE OF YOGA-NIDRA IN STRESS-INDUCED HYPERTENSION – A CASE STUDY

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease, affecting more than one billion people throughout the world. The lifetime risk of developing hypertension is approximately 90% for middle-aged and older (55 years and above) men and women. It is a major contributor to stroke and ischemic heart disease. Essential hypertension is a chronic elevation in arterial blood pressure (BP) > 140/90 mmHg with no definable causes. Stress is an inevitable part of life. No matter how much we try to avoid it, it will eventually affect us. Stress can be caused by various factors such as work pressure, relationship issues, financial troubles, or health problems. Stress can lead to serious physical and mental health problems like hypertension if left unman-aged. The practice of Yoga-Nidra results in a hypothalamic reaction, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous sys-tem and suppressing the function of the sympathetic nervous system. According to this theory, yoga-nidra practice brings a profoundly relaxed state of body and mind, though conscious minds are clearly alert to understand what they feel. Yoga-Nidra also induces nerve relaxation and tranquility and reduces deep-rooted unconscious mental tension. A patient suffering from stress-induced hypertension was selected from the OPD of the PG Department of Swasthavritta & Yoga, R.D. Memorial Ayu. P.G. College & Hospital Bhopal was treated with daily Yoga-Nidra Abhyasa. No major complication was reported by the patient in a follow-up period of one month. The patient was assessed on the parameters as per grading, and it was seen that the patient was much relieved from the disease regarding signs and symptoms. Hence, the benefits of Yoga-Nidra, compared to other inter-vention methods, include affordability, non-invasiveness, protection, and accessibility. In this light, the ad-vent of safe, efficient, and inexpensive treatment for mild to moderate hypertension with Yoga-Nidra relaxa-tion is most promising for doctors and the community.