Perceived Wellbeing as Related to Spirituality and Stress Management: A Case Study of the Purna Health Management System

Abstract

The Purna Health Management System (PHMS) is an integrated holistic system for health management, based on ancient Vedic philosophy and developed by Professor, Dr. Sri Svami Purna Maharaj. The current case study used an anonymous online survey to determine which aspects of the PHMS practitioners perceived as fostering wellbeing. The PHMS has four key factors: health, fitness, and nutrition (HF&N) (good food, good sleep, good exercise); life balance [stress management] (LB-SM) (good mind, good human interaction, good relationships, good deeds); spiritual growth and development (SG&D) (good meditation and contemplation); and living in harmony with the natural environment to support health (LHWNE) (good interaction with plants and animals, sustaining the environment). Relationships were tested between perceived wellbeing from key factors and years of implementation, suggested PHMS activities engaged in, and self-reported outcomes (physical health, mental/emotional health, overall stress, and ability to manage stress). Forty-one participants completed the survey. Those implementing the PHMS longer reported increased wellbeing for LB-SM (rs = .45, p< .001) and SG&D (rs = .57, p< .001). Participants eating more healthy foods in a week reported increased wellbeing for LB-SM (rs = .32, p< .05). Participants implementing more spiritual practices and practices to live in harmony with the environment in a week reported increased wellbeing for SG&D (both rs = .32, p< .05). No correlations were found between wellbeing and self-reported outcomes. Findings suggested the PHMS may support the perception of wellbeing in practitioners, especially when used regularly.