Most of us have experienced some form of anxiety in our lives. Whether it shows up as irritability, restlessness, lack of concentration, racing thoughts, fatigue or sweating; it is the number one struggle I see with my clients.
The good news is, Ayurveda can help tremendously to manage your anxiety. Don’t let it negatively affect your quality of life. Read on for an understanding of the Ayurvedic perspective on anxiety and simple steps you can take today to ease your mind.
When our minds race and get carried away, anxiety can be viewed as a feeling of being ungrounded. This is an imbalance of vata dosha. Vata is the energy of air and space and when it gets out of balance, we might experience symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping.
In Ayurveda, the core principle is like increases like and opposites balance. So to manage Vata dosha, we’ll want to limit foods and habits with similar qualities and favor those with the opposite qualities.
Vata is dry, light, cold, rough, mobile and irregular. Foods and habits with similar properties will only exacerbate the problem. You’ll want to avoid the following triggers:
Dry, light foods like popcorn, chips and crackers
Cold foods like salad or iced drinks aggravate Vata which is already cold
Caffeine which speeds up our heart rate and breathing, making matters worse
Eating on the go and a fast paced lifestyle
Irregular eating or sleeping schedules
Running or fast-paced exercise
To soothe your Vata and regain balance, favor the qualities of oily, heavy, warm, smooth, grounded or regular. Try any of the following:
Adding healthy fats to your meals like ghee or nuts
Enjoy grains and cooked root vegetables for their grounding properties
Eat foods at room temperature or warmer
Sip hot teas or water throughout the day
Enjoy soups, stews and soft foods
Keep a routine for eating and sleeping as much as possible
Take deep breaths and go slow. Enjoy gentle exercise that links breath to movement such as yoga or tai-chi
With a few simple changes, you should experience greater peace of mind, and more restful sleep. Keeping in mind that long-standing imbalances will take more time to readjust.
If you’d like a custom herbal formula and wellness plan to manage your anxiety, book a clarity call today.
