To many of us stress is the unpleasant freeloader that comes hand in hand with our problems. When work deadlines start piling up, your body becomes ready for emergency action. Our system is flooded with certain hormones which stimulate a Fight-or-flight response. It can be a powerful motivator to be productive. It is, therefore, not a surprise that higher performance in academics and professional work is directly attributed to stress.
Back when our ancestors lived in caves, stress was mainly used in life and death situations in order to survive. So, in shorter amounts stress can be beneficial to our life and careers. But if continue for long, can adversely affect our body and brain.
However, the trouble in today’s modern culture is that there are too many stressors at one time. They are everywhere: work deadlines, troubled relationships, and unhealthy life choices. This daily relationship with stress is detriment to a healthy lifestyle. It wreaks havoc to your immune system attracting a multitude of pathogens from the outside world.
Symptoms of stress include
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Headaches
- Insomnia
The key to live life without stress lies in the ancient texts of Ayurveda. The traditional healthcare system of India, Ayurveda is based on the idea that harmony between our inside and outside world is critical to live a life without stress and anxiety.
So how to manage stress and be in control. The wisdom is all around us and lets pick what suites us the best.
Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, there are three vital energies or doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Extent of unwanted stress depends on the balance of these doshas. Just as doshas are spoken in relation with the physical body, Gunas represent the same for the mind. Imbalance between the three gunas- Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva can have adverse mental effects. To a very great extent, our daily habits determine how harmoniously these doshas and gunas functions. Our body is greatly affected by its imbalance which manifests itself as stress.
Ayurvedic techniques are one of the oldest ways to relieve from stress and to regain control of our senses. It can be majorly divided under three major steps.
- Avoid stress by understanding the triggers that imbalance doshas. Try to reduce the mental and physical triggers. Follow practices that can calm the mind like walk in the garden, meditate, prayers, play with pets or deep breathing exercise.
- Increasing the coping capability of the body through lifestyle modifications and dietary changes. Eat balanced food not very oily or spicy food. Try avoiding heavy food or non-vegetarian food during late evening. waking up during the brahma muhurat or before sunrise.
- Get Herbal and natural brain supplements like brahmi or Shankhpusphi. These herbs must be taken under Ayurvedic doctor supervision. Ayurveda therapies has immense benefits. It not only reduces the symptoms but also help in rejuvination. Shriodhara is one of such therapy.
Yoga
The sister science of Ayurveda, Yoga is important to balance the three doshas. It is important to note that Ayurveda and Yoga are two interrelated branches of Vedic science. Although each contributes to a specific purpose, one overlaps into the other at many levels.
In Ayurveda, the daily cycle or ‘Dinacharya’ is routine one must follow every day to maintain balance between the doshas. Yoga is central to ‘dinacharya’ for dissolving stress and calming the mind before meditation.
Even small amounts of yoga can work wonders for your body and mind. It helps in relaxing the mind, improves digestion and rejuvenates the body.
Following are the 5 asasnas one should practice first thing in the morning:
- Balasana(child pose)
- Bidalasana(cow pose)
- Downward dog pose
- Standing forward bend pose
- Triangle pose
Meditation
Ayurveda which revolves around the concept of balancing the body, mind and the spirit advices the practice of meditation. Meditation affects the body in exactly the opposite ways that stress does- it helps you to relax your mind and body by silencing stress-induced thoughts which keep your body’s stress-response triggered.
Practicing meditation on a daily basis even for 10-15 mins can work wonders for your physical and mental self. It helps people to connect to a place of inner strength. People who meditate daily find it easier to give up unhealthy lifestyle choices.
So taken as a whole, the concept of meditation combined with the natural practices of Ayurveda can have a profound effect on improving mental health and well-being
