"The Media Is The Medicine" For Job Stress, A Global Epidemic

(PSYCHYL) February 19, 2005 -- Workplace stress, anxiety and burnout are becoming more widespread throughout the workforce. The Economic and Business Roundtable on Mental Health published a study, "The Unheralded Business Crisis - Depression at Work", which showed that the cost of stress-related problems at work is growing exponentially. Further studies conducted by the World Health Organization, Statistics Canada, and the Canadian Mental Health Institute have determined:

- Job stress is a major factor in employee absenteeism.
- Statistics Canada calculates the cost of work time lost to stress in Canada at CDN$12 billion per annum.
- Workplace stress is the most common form of stress experienced.
- Workers view job stress as more prevalent than work related injury or illness.
- Job-related stress has been identified by the World Health Organization as a "worldwide epidemic".
- It is estimated that 40% of employee turnover is due to job stress.
- Chronic stress can lead to depression and susceptibility to other common physical illnesses.

Stress-related issues on the job can’t be ignored by organizations striving to be competitive, yet in many cases it is the first thing to be ignored. Perhaps this is due to the lack of resources currently available to deal with stress. Some of the most effective remedies are the obvious, such as: good communication, scheduling, exercise and leisure programs, but in many cases even these don’t remedy the problem. Stress is experienced at an emotional level, so even during these activities, individuals will still think of what is stressing them, and remain stressed.

Today, there are many products and services available to help people relieve stress. The yoga trend has now grown into a lucrative market, with yoga studios now everywhere. Yoga is an effective stress-reliever, but is not always convenient to do on the job, and requires practice to be effective. There are also many products available for stress-relief, including: pharmaceuticals, herbs, and neuro-technologies. Many of these products can be costly, exhibit side-affects, ineffective for many people, or be complicated to use.

One very effective way to relieve stress is through meditation, but many people find it very difficult to meditate, especially if they are stressed-out, or on the job. There are many types of meditation and each has its methods, which must first be learned and practiced. It can take a long time for a person to effectively meditate. For monks, this is a life-long practice and the results for them are well worth the effort.

Some ancient forms of meditation use aides such as the mandala (a visual focus), and the mantra (a sound focus), but in the western world, many people find it difficult to relate to these aides because we are programmed to modern media such as television, film, computers and video games designed to stimulate us. Even though modern media has been used primarily for stimulation, it could also be a solution for stress relief and meditation in today’s world by delivering effective relaxation tools and neuro-sciences in creative new ways.

We have all heard the famous expression, "The Media is the Message". Now, Brent Alan Plain, an artist and producer has coined the phrase, "The Media is the Medicine". "Imagine using your television, computer or stereo as a health supplement, like taking a vitamin for your mind. This was our inspiration for Psychyl, a new series of DVDs and CDs designed for stress-relief and meditation", says Brent Alan Plain, the Psychyl producer and co-creator.

“We are combining visual art inspired by mandalas, with music inspired by mantras, embedded with a neuro-acoustic technology, which can actually increase your brain’s production of theta brainwaves. Theta brainwaves can be measured on an EEG when a person is in deep meditation. By using Psychyl, your brain is stimulated to produce more theta-waves, and you begin to meditate automatically as you watch and listen to the DVDs or CDs. This is a convenient way for anyone to relieve stress anywhere, or anytime”, states Debra McEachern, a visual artist and associate producer of Psychyl.

Psychyl products were published in October of 2004 by db Visual Music Company of Toronto, Canada. The products have been well received by the alternative health market since the product launch at the CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association) tradeshow. Currently, Psychyl is finding its way into retail stores, and is also being used by Psychologists and Health-Care Providers to treat their patients. You can learn more about this new art form and the technology online at: http://www.psychyl.com

Media Contact:
Debra McEachern
email: debra@psychyl.com


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