10 Ways to Reduce Stress with Ayurveda

Chronic stress and anxiety are a significant problem in our modern world. Stress alters not just our mood but our body’s chemistry affecting our immunity and causing disease. Through an Ayurvedic lens, anxiety involves aggravation of both the dosas of the body (Vata) and of the mind (Rajas & Tamas). Therefore, to reduce stress, we need to reduce Vata and cultivate peacefulness (Sattva).  Here are the tops ways to reduce stress.

Note: I have written about this before in two more in-depth articles.
           Mental Health & The Gunas (Rajas, Tamas & Sattva)
           Managing Anxiety

10 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS WITH AYURVEDA

1)     ABHYANGA
Massaging your body with warm dosha-specific oils is one of Ayurveda’s top ways to reduce stress and Vata. Our skin is our largest sense organ. Abhyanga makes you feel grounded, relaxed and protected.

2)     NADI SHODANA
This pranayama (yogic breathing) is one of Yoga’s best stress-reduction techniques. If you are not familiar with this breath, I have an instructional video. Nadi Shodhana for Anxiety

3)     MEDITATION
Meditation is clinically proven to reduce anxiety, improving both mental and physical health. There are many different types of meditation for different types of minds.

4)     ROUTINE
Waking up the same time, exercising the same time, eating your meals at the same time and going to bed at the same time each day is calming for your nervous system. This helps to balance our circadian rhythms.

5)     SLOW DOWN
Stop multi-tasking and slow down. In order to slow down your mind you need to slow down the amount of information your senses are processing.

6)     GENTLE EXERCISE
Practice gentle exercise that is grounding and centering. Be careful not to exhaust yourself.

7)     GET OUTSIDE
Nature is calming to our minds, senses and soul. Talking a walk outside is one of the best forms of exercise.

8)     VATA PACIFYING DIET
Prefer warm, well-cooked, moist and softer foods. Avoid cold, raw, hard, crunchy, dry foods and carbonated drinks. Eat naturally sweet, sour and salty foods. Read my Fall Recipes Article.

9)    GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST
Vata is pacified through sleep. Most Americans do not get enough sleep.

10)  BUILD SATTVA
Surround yourself with inspiring books, good people and do things to help others in need. Be in nature and cultivate positivity.

 Join me for MOOD BALANCING WITH YOGATHERAPY & AYURVEDA. This workshop with explore all this and more!