Hansa Pankhania is an author, executive coach and speaker. She is an expert in Manager and Corporate Wellbeing and Resilience, with over 25 years of experience in coaching and consultancy to over 250 companies, countless managers, and employees. She has published 5 books, including a series of ‘Stress to Success’ books. In an exclusive interview with Asian Voice, she spoke about her book ‘Coping in a Crisis’.
What is the inspiration behind the book 'Coping in a Crisis?
The inspiration for the book came during the first lockdown in March last year. Most of my clients were presenting the issues that ended up being discussed in the book. I wanted to support the public by helping them make sense of their experiences during the pandemic by sharing my expertise. As an author, the best way I could do this was through a book. This would cover simple practical tips that people could use to help them get through the crisis.
Do you think Asians are better at coping with crisis in general?
My clients come from diverse backgrounds. However, their experiences are universal. The one factor I would mention is that the extended family network is stronger within the Asian community. This can be supportive during a crisis but can be oppressive at the same time for some.
Do you think that this pandemic calls for the need for more books like yours to be part of compulsory reading at schools and community libraries?
Absolutely. My children’s books came about from the passion to do exactly that. We have already started a campaign to take this into schools and the wider community. My forte is passing on simple, natural techniques that take very little time and do not cost anything so are equally useful for children and adults. In my children’s books, I introduce a magical character called Chakraji and use imaginative storytelling and illustrations to show Chakraji passing these tips onto children.
How much of what you've written in the book is inspired from your personal life experiences?
I have taken inspiration from the stories of my clients over the last 25 years. I practice the advice I pass on to clients and write about in my books, so it is everything I have found useful over this time. I happened to be going through an incredibly stressful time during university as a mature student, so I decided to do my thesis on Stress Management.
My father who I was close to, also passed away at this time. I practiced the techniques I was researching. This helped me to get through that phase and triggered the passion for this work. I have written about this journey in my memoir ‘Best of Three Worlds’
Do Asian men and women cope with crises differently?
In my experience, women find it easier to open up about their feelings, whereas there is still a considerable stigma for men to do so. I am heartened by the recent media input encouraging men to open up and seek support, but I feel we have a long way to go.
Over a period of time stress will lead to mental health issues. Generally, there is a stigma and a lack of understanding of mental health issues in the Asian community. Over the years we have worked on several projects in Edinburgh, Birmingham and London to encourage conversation and support on mental health issues within both the Asian and other diverse communities.
Stress is the new constant in the lives of millennials today. How can your books help our readers to overcome stress?
By offering simple and practical stress relief techniques for those who cannot afford or make it to the gym. I promote natural ways of dealing with stress that can be easily integrated into the busy lives of millennials. I outline these in my ‘Stress to Success’ series of books.
Joining a gym is great and works for many people. However, it costs money and time. Lockdowns have been especially challenging for those who relied on the gym and were unaware of other alternatives. The alternative techniques we offer do not cost anything and do not damage your body in the long term, like alcohol and other stimulants, but enhance your mind and body health in many other ways.
I feel passionately that there is an urgent need to offer alternative physical spaces and the opportunity for millennials to experience natural techniques like breathing, meditation, therapeutic writing, art and music therapy amongst others which will benefit them. I set up one such Natural Wellbeing Centre in Birmingham, but my dream is to have these in all locations.
With the pandemic there are many empty properties which could be put to good use with these kinds of creative ventures. We need the support of businesses who can provide us with space for these Natural Wellbeing Centres. Overall, we need the support of the media and communities to turn this around. My team and I have dedicated our lives to this work and are happy to collaborate with interested parties.
If you were to go back and give one life advice about coping in crisis and stress to your younger self, what would it be?
Learn to meditate. I was introduced to meditation in my forties when I went to the Dipak Chopra Centre in California. This turned my life around. I wish I had been taught this as a child, and this is what is driving our campaign for better mental health in schools and children’s charities at the moment. I am offering a FREE Copy of ‘Coping in a Crisis’ to all your readers. It is available through our website- www.aumconsultancy.co.uk
