Is your emotional wellbeing affected by imbalance, depression and anxiety? It may be time to take control of your life. Ayurveda is a complementary wellness therapy that offers many solutions to emotional wellness issues, giving you a holistic approach to a happier life.
Today, depression and anxiety affect nearly everyone you know, as it has become an almost intrinsic part of modern life. Stress is there in your working week, your home life and even in your bed at night, which makes it hard for you to handle your emotions and consequently you end up entering an anxious or depressive state of mind. These psychological states have physiological repercussions, leading to such symptoms as excessive fatigue, muscle weakness, nausea, palpitations, headaches, sweating, tremors, shortness of breath, indigestion, stomach upset, interrupted sleep, nightmares, feelings of dread, easy irritation and nervous habits like foot tapping or walking up and down out of restlessness. The question is, then; could Ayurveda be the answer?
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing system, developed by yogis and vaids as a means for treating any and every ailment on earth. John Douillard, a famous professor of Ayurvedic medicine, explains that, according to Ayurveda, your self resides in your heart, which is the seat for the blissful sheath or Anandamaya Kosha. Your mind is another kosha that governs you strongly, which is the seat for the Manomaya Kosha. Shock or sad incidents cause you to use your mind to construct a protective barrier around yourself, which, in some cases, leads to a loss of access to the essential ‘self’ in the heart. In this circumstance, you also restrict your flow of energy or Prana Shakti, which means you gradually lose interest in life, and develop depression and anxiety.
In treating depression and anxiety, Ayurveda takes a different approach to Western medicine. Whereas your GP might prescribe you antidepressants, Ayurvedic practitioners take steps to strengthen the nerves instead of suppressing them. Through holistic herbs, minerals, massages and external therapy, Ayurveda aims to correct the imbalances created amid your doshas, taking both your physical and mental wellness into consideration while doing so. Gradually, you move into a state in which your doshas are balanced, known as your natural Prakriti, and the Mansikrog (anxiety & depression) vanishes. However, your progress will depend greatly on your willingness to abide by the guidance of the Ayurvedacharya (Ayurvedic teacher/healer) and to make the necessary lifestyle changes.
In Ayurveda, little lifestyle changes can make a huge difference – especially when it comes to depression or anxiety disorders. Therefore, aside from your depression or anxiety treatment, you also need to make sure that you follow these simple Dos and Don’ts to help alleviate your emotional problems further:
1. Exercise regularly: Even taking a brisk walk can do wonders to fight depression.
2. Expose yourself to bright sunlight: This promotes a life force in your system known as Prana.
3. Meditate or listen to soft music: This calms your mind.
4. Avoid bad foods: You should avoid alcohol, sugary foods and processed foods and limit your caffeine intake and calorie consumption.
5. Take a long hot bath: When stressed, immersing yourself in hot water relax your muscles and soothe your nerves
6. Try massages: These help to promote better blood circulation and the soothing scents and aromas of natural oils also bring relief if you’re suffering from emotional imbalances.
7. Fight constipation: If you’re not regular, this can cause headache, dullness, fatigue and depression. Regularise your motions by drinking two to four glasses of lukewarm water as soon as you wake up.
*Our content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis of individual problems or circumstances, nor should it be implied that we are a substitute for professional medical advice. Users / readers are always advised to consult their Healthcare Professional prior to starting any new remedy, therapy or treatment. Your Wellness Group accepts no liability in the event you, a user of n-gage and a reader of this article, suffers a loss as a result of reliance upon or inappropriate application of the information.
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