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 bodily occurrences. 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, chest pain, and sleepless nights. The range of symptoms that 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 restore balance, one must adhere to a diet and lifestyle that bears qualities opposite to those of the particular dosha. Vata dosha bears qualities like lightness, dryness, coldness, and roughness. To restore balance, it is recommended to make dietary and lifestyle changes that put one in touch with warmth, heaviness, and oiliness.
How to control anxiety?
Your side-effect-free anxiety toolkit
The above principle can easily be put into practice through simple remedies. Here are some natural tips to overcome anxiety.
1. Follow a vata-pacifying diet
Avoid consuming astringent, bitter, and pungent-flavored food items, and instead incorporate sweet, salty, and sour flavours into your diet. By "sweet," we refer to naturally sweet food items like fruits, rather than refined sugar. Include warm, oily, and moist food rather than cold and dry ones.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar advises, “Raw food can aggravate Vata, so if you have a Vata imbalance, avoid it. Consult a naturopath, dietician or Ayurvedic doctor before making dietary decisions. Eat after 3-4 hrs, food should be fully digested; if burping occurs after 6 hrs, something is wrong.”
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 our 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 use of special Ayurvedic oils and basalt stones that are heated in water. The heat emitted from the stones helps to pacify the imbalances of the vata element, restoring peace to the body and mind.
4. Stick to a routine
Balancing vata by following Dinacharya, or daily routine, is crucial to alleviate anxiety. In Ayurvedic terms, a daily routine is known as Dinacharya. The daily routine of healthy practices that one follows from the time one wakes up to the time one goes to bed.
Morning Vata Routine:
- Wake up early regularly.
- Drink warm water with lemon and honey for detoxification.
- Meditate, perform prayers, or engage in quiet reflection.
- Massage the body with aromatic oils and practice Vata pacifying yoga.
- Have a healthy breakfast before 9:30 am and stay hydrated with warm liquids.
Mid-day Vata Routine:
- Have lunch by 12:30 pm, focusing on warm, fresh, and organic foods.
- Take a short walk for digestion and rest for 5-10 minutes after eating.
- Consider a brief nap or break for 20-25 minutes.
- Seek warmth and heat in the surroundings to maintain balance.
Evening Vata Routine:
- Meditate before sunset to release stress.
- Enjoy a lighter dinner with soups and salads in a serene environment.
- Take a stroll for digestion and avoid excessive stress.
- Engage in uplifting activities like reading before bedtime.
- Take a warm bath and aim to sleep before 10 pm.
5. Do yoga, pranayam, and meditation
Scientific research has proven the effectiveness of yoga, pranayam, and meditation in reducing anxiety. Ayurveda recommends that we allocate some time every day to practice these ancient techniques. Engaging in their regular practice not only promotes a sense of calmness but also enhances efficiency and focus.
Learn yoga, pranayam, and meditation in the Sri Sri Yoga and Happiness Program / Online Meditation and Breath Workshop near you!
Experience the power of guided meditation by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, helping you be in the present moment and deal with anxiety.
6. Practice mudra for anxiety
Mudras are used in Ayurveda to treat stress and anxiety. Mudras are beneficial for anxiety as they activate specific energy channels in the body, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Some of the recommended mudras for anxiety include
- Gyan or Chin Mudra
- Apan Vayu Mudra
- Kalesvara Mudra
- Agni Shakti Mudra
Practice these mudras for anxiety by taking a comfortable seat and forming the prescribed mudra. Maintain the mudra throughout the practice and accompany it with slow and gentle breaths for five minutes. Mudras are a great way to release anxiety.