It has been witnessed that road accidents are a growing concern in developing countries that needs immediate attention. After a thoughtful observation and study, evaluated the role of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (MMM), a Vedic practice in reducing reaction time, burnout and improving sleep among commercial drivers.
MMM chanting sessions are enrolled among the commercial
drivers and significant changes are observed.
Repeated chanting has improved sleep and reaction time among them. No doubt, MMM chanting is a worthy effect and
is beneficial in improving the reaction time among drivers, which may be useful
as a strategy for preventing road traffic accidents.
Road traffic accidents and their related deaths and injuries are a growing concern across the globe. According to the World Health Organization report on road traffic injuries, the fatality owing to road traffic accidents is close to 1.3 million and is more common in low and middle-income countries.
India also has road traffic accidents as one of its growing health care concerns which accounts for 2650 deaths and 9000 injuries per week. Further, it is also noticed that the population between the ages of 30–60 years are most vulnerable to accidents that warrant initiatives to prevent these unfortunate but preventable mishaps.
Perceptibly, the increasing number of road traffic
accidents is alarming that needs urgent interventions.
A recent study collated the reasons for road traffic accidents and suggested that driver distraction is responsible for 10–50% of car crashes. The common reasons for driver distractions include the advertisement boards on the roads
- co-passenger interaction
- talking over the phone while driving
- tracking addresses and operating the audio systems in the vehicle
An observation car diver who has an increased reaction time is more susceptible to automobile accidents and therefore reaction time is regarded as an important aspect in designing prevention strategies.
Numerous mind-body practices are known to improve attention, and reaction time in humans. This includes mantra yoga or mantra meditation which is nothing but “repetition of the same word or phrase with the objective of maintaining attention on that specific object.
Maha Mritunjay mantra is also known as the Mirta
Sanjivini mantra as this mantra is spiritually thought to conquer death.
Studying the impact of the Maha Mritunjay mantra would be beneficial to impart this chanting among the drivers as the easiest method to improve their reaction time and thereby possibly preventing future accidents.
The result of this study emphasized the use Maha Mrityunjaya mantra in improving sleep and reaction time among drivers as a preventive strategy.
It has been shown that mantra chanting improves memory, attention, concentration, and learning power enhances workplace well-being, enhances the stability of cardiac function by modulating autonomic functions, and reduces anger and anxiety.
Reaction time is an important skill required in all professions, however, it has a greater value among drivers, as the increased reaction time is correlated to an increased number of road traffic accidents. Studies suggest sleeplessness, driving fatigue etc. to have negative impact on the reaction time. A previous study on Maha Mrityunjaya mantra chanting in school children has been shown to improve memory and reduce reaction time. Another study has shown Maha Mrityunjaya’s mantra to annihilate self-inferiority and depression.
It has been observed that the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra may
reduce brain oscillations which results in distraction during driving.
Commercial drivers are reported to have increased occupational stress and burnout. Occupational burnout is pointed out to be a potential cause of accidents among commercial drivers. The present study has demonstrated a beneficial effect of MMM chanting over burnout stress among drivers.
Now we can say that Mantra yoga is a probable measure in improving sleep and reaction time among commercial drivers keeping in mind that road accidents are a growing concern in developing countries that needs immediate attention.
The study setting and participants, study design, intervention and outcome measures should be taken into account before the robust randomized control trials are warranted before making generalized recommendations.
