Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The Purna Health Management System (PHMS) is an integrated, inclusive holistic system for health management, based on perennial, ancient Vedic philosophy, developed by Professor, Dr. Sri Svami Purna Maharaj, that provides a preventive health routine as a way of life. The PHMS is for everyone; uses as a framework four stages of life which occur approximately every 25 years, and addresses four key factors: health, fitness and nutrition; life balance (stress management); spiritual growth and development; and living in harmony with the natural environment. This study used an anonymous online survey examining implementation of the PHMS and participants’ self-reported physical health, mental/emotional health, ability to manage stress, and wellbeing. Spearman’s ρ Correlation Coefficients were used to test hypotheses for relationships between the frequency of implementation of the four key factors of the PHMS, recommended activities, and outcomes of physical health, mental/emotional health, overall stress level, ability to manage stress, and perceived well-being. Forty-one out of 100 potential participants completed the survey. Participants who reported frequently implementing the PHMS reported positive outcomes in physical health, mental/emotional health, ability to manage stress, and overall stress. Participants who reported implementing more recommended activities reported increased wellbeing from the key factors of life balance (stress management) and spiritual growth and development. These findings suggest that the PHMS may be supportive of inclusive health and wellbeing in those who implement it, especially when used regularly. Additional research is needed to determine ways the PHMS can be used to promote inclusive health, wellbeing, and stress management.