Anxiety interrupts and troubles our personal, social, and professional lives. What’s worse is that this inner phenomenon is accompanied by a host of other occurrences in the body. For instance, your quivers may initially bring beads of sweat on your face and turn your mouth dry. These symptoms then could escalate to constipated mornings or/and pain in the chest and sleepless nights. Clearly, the range of symptoms anxiety brings about is as broad as the electromagnetic spectrum.

However, the root of this broad spectrum of symptoms is one: an imbalance in the vata dosha(air element) of the body.

To put a dosha in balance, one must adhere to a diet and lifestyle that bears qualities opposite to that of the particular dosha. Vata dosha bears qualities like lightness, dryness, coldness and roughness. So, to put it in balance, dietary and lifestyle changes which put one in touch with warmth, heaviness, and oiliness are recommended.

Your side-effect free anxiety toolkit

The above principle can be easily put into practice through simple remedies. Following are the Ayurvedic remedies for anxiety:

1. Follow a vata-pacifying diet

   Include sweet, salty, and sour flavours in your diet. Avoid astringent, bitter, and pungent flavoured food items. When we say sweet, we mean the naturally sweet food items like fruits rather than food items with refined sugar. Include warm, oily, and moist food rather than cold and dry foods.

2. Soothe your system with herbal medicines

   Herbal medicines like ashwagandha, shankhpushpi, and brahmi relax the nervous system and detox the brain. However, it is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic doctor before consuming them. An Ayurvedic doctor recommends medicines based on one’s body constitution. Consult a Sri Sri Ayurveda doctor to get the best suitable medical recommendations.

3. Get a special Ayurvedic massage

   Shila Abhyanga is a special Ayurvedic massage that deeply relaxes the body. It involves the usage of special Ayurvedic oils and basalt stones heated in water. The heat from the stones help in pacifying the imbalances vata element and restore peace in the body and mind.

4. Stick to a routine

   Following a routine greatly helps bring vata in balance. So, make sure you follow a specific timing for sleeping, waking up, and having your meals.

5. Do yoga, pranayama, and meditation

   It has been proven scientifically that yoga, pranayama, and meditation are effective in reducing anxiety. It is, therefore, highly recommended to reserve some time everyday to practice these ancient tools. Not only will their practice make you calmer, but it will make you more efficient and focussed.

   Learn yoga, pranayam, and meditation in the Sri Sri Yoga and Happiness Program near you!