For some people it seems almost impossible to switch their mind off. They are always on the move and thinking of the next big idea. Quite often these individuals are also creative, intuitive, expansive, spiritual and big-picture thinkers who see things others do not.
However, when out of balance, these individuals may struggle to put a stop to their thoughts and can easily go from brainstorming genius to over-analyzing situations and getting stuck in their heads. According to Ayurveda, these individuals are more susceptible to anxiety.
Ayurveda is an ancient holistic Indian system of medicine and has an explanation on why people get anxious and how to balance it. This blog offers practical guidance on how to return to balance so that we can reclaim health and vitality in our body and mind.
Introduction to Dosha
According to Ayurvedic medicine we can classify individuals by their innate dosha. The three dosha types are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Dosha types are energetic forces that govern the body & mind. It influences our psychology, our physique, our likes, dislikes, tendencies, habits, mental and emotional character, as well as our vulnerabilities toward imbalance and disease.
The three doshas are in all of us but the ratio between them is unique for each individual. Our unique doshic constitution is neither good nor bad, it is simply our characteristics or our tendencies. Our predominant dosha will be the first dosha to get out of balance. Getting to know and appreciate our dosha, and dosha imbalances, can help us live a healthier, more balanced life.
(Want to find out more? Get in touch with us on www.createspacewellness.com and book a free dosha assessment session with me)
Anxiety Through an Ayurvedic Lens
Friends and clients who suffer from anxiety often tell me they have a natural tendency to play out all the possible scenarios of how things can go wrong. If left unattended, these thoughts can spiral out of control creating a deep seated feeling of dread, difficulty in breathing, uncontrollable sweating, heart palpitation, insomnia and impact the way they perform their day to day activities.
So how does Ayurveda explain this? Individuals who are high in energy, juggling many things on the go and have a million ideas spinning in their heads are likely to be Vata dosha predominant individuals. Vata dosha is metaphorically akin to the ‘wind’ energy. In Ayurveda, we use adjectives such as light, mobile, irregular, cold, rough and dry to describe Vata dosha. When in-balance the lightness of ‘wind’ gives us the ability to fly up high and have a bird’s eye view (big-picture thinkers) and be flexible and agile, however when out-of-balance the irregularity of ‘wind’ can make us be flighty and a bit ‘all-over-the-place’ (anxiety). Common traits of Vata dosha dominant individuals are:
Creative | ‘Big-picture’ thinkers | Energetic |
Vivacious | Open-minded | Free-spirited |
Joyful | Quick learner | Thin frame and difficult to gain weight |
Vata traits sound pretty great right? But like everything in nature, when in-balance we shine and when out-of-balance we suffer. Vata dosha is the type most susceptible to anxiety when compared to the other two dosha.
Signs and Symptoms of Imbalance
An imbalanced dosha is always the result of too much of that property. Vata imbalance can show up as:
Tired or fatigued
Overthinking
Forgetful or spaced-out
Fidgety or excess movement in your hands and feet
Insomnia
Emotional insecurity
Restlessness and/or anxiety
Dry skin
Brittle hair, nails or bones
Bloating, gas, constipation
Poor circulation, cold hands and feet
Irregular or missed periods
Back pain
You might not experience all of these symptoms but the more imbalance your Vata dosha becomes, the more the symptoms will manifest.
It is normal for all of us to have experienced the above symptoms at times because we live in a ‘Vata-centric’ society. Most of us are multi-tasking and always on the go. This makes it especially difficult for us to stay grounded. You don’t have to be a Vata predominant to feel anxious. But feeling anxious suggest you have a Vata imbalance.
How to Balance Vata Imbalances
In Ayurveda we treat imbalances by applying the principle of opposites to our lifestyle and diet. Just like when a wind storm is coming, we bunker down and tie everything to the ground. We apply the same concept to balance a Vata lifestyle, i.e. it is all about grounding and slowing down.
Grounding provides structure and slowing down provides awareness and prepares the body and mind for what’s coming next. In the same way, Vata balancing diet should counter the element of cold, dry, light, rough and consist of warm, moist, oily and soothing cooked food.
Vata balancing diet include:
Warm and comfort meals such as soups and stews.
All types of stewed fruits are excellent options.
Avoid cold, frozen or carbonated drinks and food.
Only eat raw fruit and vegetables in small quantities.
Drink plenty of fluids, ideally warm, hot or at room temperature
Flavour root vegetables cooked in oil (such as olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil)
Oily foods like avocado, coconut, olives, buttermilk, cheese, eggs, wheat, nuts, and seeds are generally supportive.
Avoid dry foods like popcorn, crackers, white potatoes, beans, and dried fruits.
Avoid highly processed foods such as canned foods, ready-made meals, and pastries.
Minimise stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol because they tend to undermine Vata’s need for grounded stability.
Vata balancing lifestyle and exercise routine include:
Routine itself has a very grounding and stabilising effect on the body and mind; it creates a number of familiar and comforting reference points throughout each day that send an affirmation to the deep tissues of the body that all is well. Wake up, sleep and eat at about the same time each day.
Regular meditation can help clear and quieten the channels of the mind. Note this will not be easy if you are suffering from symptoms of Vata imbalances, as your mind tends to be racing away. Chanting mantras or repeating positive affirmations can help to slow the mind down during meditation.
Pranayama or breathing exercises are great for grounding. If you find it difficult, close your eyes and start by taking 3 slow and long breaths and build on it over time.
Grounding exercises such as walking in nature, yoga, chi gong or tai chi, swimming and weightlifting are all great options.
Self oil massage calms the nervous system, lubricates and rejuvenates the tissues, and promotes healthy circulation throughout the body. Massage about 1/2 cup warm calming oil of your choice into the skin, hair, and scalp before shower or rub a small amount of oil to the soles of the feet before bed.
Take regular breaks – Vata types tend to be on the go and tend to overwork. Therefore, it’s essential to take regular breaks away from your desk.
Journal or write down your thoughts - With so many thoughts flying around in your mind, it can be helpful to write it down instead of storing it inside. Try free-writng. Take 5 minutes and write down anything that comes to your mind. No structure necessary. Just write.
Making a to-do list or creating a schedule can help put all the things you have to do into order and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Once something is done, you can cross it off.
Our lives, environments, and health changes regularly. We recommend that you tune inwards and spot symptoms of dosha imbalances as a way to restore balance in a way that is unique for you. Keeping in mind that it's possible to have more than one dosha out of balance at once.
This blog is part 2 of a 3-part ‘Introduction to Ayurveda’ series. Read about Pitta dosha and burnout here https://www.createspacewellness.com/post/understanding-burnout-through-an-ayurvedic-lens
Connect with us on Instagram @createspacewellness for regular ayurvedic tips. Or get in touch with us via our website at www.createspacewellness.com or email createspacewellness@gmail.com and arrange for a 1:1 conversation to learn more.
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