Stress! It feels like it’s everywhere, isn’t it? Whether it’s juggling work, family, or just keeping up with life, it seems stress is part of the package these days. According to a 2023 survey, over 41% of people worldwide feel stressed daily. Yes, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing – stress isn’t just a mental struggle. Ayurveda believes that your mind and body are connected. So, what affects your body affects your mind and vice versa. So, stress can mess with your sleep, skin, digestion, and overall health. Ayurveda offers simple, natural ways to lower your stress levels. No complicated terms or expensive treatments, just good old common sense combined with a dash of ancient wisdom. What is Stress ? Stress is your body’s way of saying, “Hey, something’s up!” A little stress isn’t all bad, it can push you to meet deadlines or nail a presentation. But when stress decides to stick around, it can make you feel anxious, tired, and even physically sick. In Ayurveda, stress happens as a result of aggravation of Vata Dosha—the energy responsible for movement and your nervous system. When Vata goes haywire, you feel restless, scattered, and overwhelmed. But you needn’t worry. Ayurveda has got your back. Ayurveda’s Simple Tips to Tackle Stress A little bit of anxiety isn’t all bad – it can actually boost your productivity and performance. But too much of it? That’s when it starts taking a toll on your body. In Ayurveda, an imbalanced Vata is the root cause of anxiety. The best way to bring it back to balance is by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Simple practices like breathing exercises, Pranayama, and sticking to a routine can help calm your Vata and thereby ease your stress. Pamper your feet with Padabhyanga Ever thought your feet could hold the secret to relaxation? Padabhyanga, or Ayurvedic foot massage with organic black sesame oil is all about that. It’s like giving your feet a spa day, and they’ll thank you for it. Padabhyanga calms your nerves, improves sleep and keeps stress in check. Sip your stress away with anti-anxiety tea Tea lovers, this one’s for you! There’s a magical brew you can make right at home – blue pea flower tea. It’s soothing, delicious, and packed with stress-busting goodness. Ingredients Fresh blue pea flowers Ajwain leaves Water How to make it Remove the stalks of the blue pea flowers and add it to hot or boiling water. Let it steep. Add Ajwain leaves for flavour and digestion. Strain and drink it after dinner. You can also add the blue pea flowers and Ajwain seeds in water and boil it to make the tea. This tea is cooling in nature. It calms and relaxes your mind, reduces anxiety, improves your sleep and helps with your memory! Bonus Tip: If you’ve got high blood pressure or hypothyroidism, this tea is a must-try. Shirodhara: oil therapy for your mind Shirodhara involves pouring warm herbal oil on your forehead from a specific height, for a specific period of time in a continuous stream. It is an Ayurvedic therapy that helps nurture the mind, body and spirit. It helps relax the mind, reduce anxiety and headaches and boost your focus. Your Diet Matters: Eat Your Way to Calmness It’s surprising but yes, what you eat has an effect on your stress levels. Food isn’t just for the body; it’s fuel for your mind too. What to eat: Warm soups and stews Ghee (a dollop of it on rice works wonders) Sweet fruits like mangoes and bananas What to avoid: Caffeine Spicy and fried foods (they worsen the stress worse) Lifestyle Changes to Keep Stress at Bay Making a few changes in your lifestyle can make a huge difference in your mental and physical health. Stick to a routine Follow a Dinacharya or daily routine. It helps you lead a disciplined life while benefitting your overall health. Read my free ebook to learn more about Dinacharya. Breathe your stress away Try breathing exercises like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Bhramari (bee breathing) and lion breath. Just 5-10 minutes a day can make you feel super zen. Go outside No matter how busy you are, make sure to take regular breaks where you take time out to spend time around nature, away from your gadgets. This helps reduce your cortisol levels and thereby, lowers your stress. We usually feel so peaceful and calm when we are around nature, right? This is because as humans, we are programmed to respond positively to these patterns. Yoga: Stretch Your Stress Away Yoga is a great way to keep your stress levels under control. Do not consider it as an exercise for the body. It actually works more on the mind. Try breathing exercises, like Pranayama and these poses: Child’s Pose (Balasana) Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana) Corpse Pose (Shavasana) Also, include meditation at the end of your yoga session. Trust me, it’s worth it. Organise Your Thoughts This is something I do! As a Vata person, I tend to overthink and put myself in non-existent stressful situations often. To tackle that, I create a checklist of the tasks I have to do in a day and tick them once each if it is done. This helps me be more organised. Also, I practice gratitude journaling. This is a proven scientific method to reduce stress and sleep well. I suggest gratitude journaling to my patients as well. Why Choose Ayurveda for Stress Relief ? Unlike quick fixes that only mask the problem, Ayurveda digs deep. It doesn’t just tackle stress; it restores balance to your whole body and mind. Quick Recap: Your Stress-Relief Cheat Sheet Massage:… Continue reading Stress Relief with Ayurveda
