How to Reduce Stress with Ayurveda

There are numerous ways to reduce stress and anxiety in our daily lives, including exercise, diet, and even using certain hobbies to forget about the stresses of everyday life. For many people, though, living in the 21st century can be just as stressful as it can be rewarding. Life feels like one stressor after another; at the end of the day, you find yourself lying in bed wondering if all of your hard work will pay off in the end. If this sounds like you and you're looking for ways to reduce stress on your mind and body, Ayurveda might be just what you need!

Ayurveda recognizes that mind, body, and spirit are all connected and treat each as such. It also views health and sickness as two sides of the same coin, recognizing that stress can lead to or exacerbate illness. By treating stress at its source, Ayurveda can be an effective way to manage stress and relieve associated symptoms such as sleeplessness, anxiety, fatigue, and digestive issues, among others.

Causes and Common Symptoms of Stress?

It's no secret that we live in a fast-paced, constantly connected world. And while this modern way of life has its perks, it also comes with a unique set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges we face is managing stress. According to the Indian Psychological Association, stress is the body's response to any demand. When we experience stress, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are designed to help us react quickly in dangerous situations. But when we're constantly bombarded by stressors—whether they be at work or in our personal lives—our bodies remain in fight-or-flight mode, leading to chronic inflammation and other health issues.
Chronic stress can take a toll on your mind and body. It can cause physical symptoms like headaches, chest pain, and an upset stomach. It can also lead to emotional problems like anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping. If you're dealing with chronic stress, you may feel like you're in a constant state of worry or fear. You may also have trouble concentrating or remembering things. Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine from India that can help you reduce stress and improve your overall health.

What did Ayurveda say About stress?

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine from India that aims to treat the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. According to Ayurveda, stress is caused by imbalances in the three doshas: Vata, pitta, and Kapha. Vata is responsible for movement in the body, pitta for metabolism and digestion, and Kapha for growth and structure. What does this mean for our health? The Doshas affect the body and its functioning. When they are balanced, we can avoid many diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease. On the other hand, when they are imbalanced, we can experience various symptoms such as headaches and insomnia. In addition, the presence of stress hormones may cause us to become angry, anxious, or depressed. To reduce your stress levels, you should try some natural remedies such as meditation and yoga!

The Six Basic Elements in Ayurveda

To reduce stress, it is important to understand the six basic elements of Ayurveda. These six elements are air, fire, water, earth, space, and consciousness. Each element has its unique qualities that can contribute to your overall health and well-being. If you have too much of one element, such as air or space, it will create a need for another element, such as fire or water. However, if you do not have enough of one element, such as water or earth, then you will experience an imbalance within your body and mind.

The Five Key Emotions and their Effects on the Mind

The first emotion is anger, which can lead to feeling frustrated and stressed. The second emotion is fear, which can lead to feeling anxious and stressed. The third emotion is sadness, which can lead to feeling down and stressed. The fourth emotion is joy, which can lead to feeling happy and stress-free. The fifth emotion is love, which can lead to feeling peaceful and stress-free.

Ayurvedic Herbs To Reduce Stress and Anxiety

There are a variety of ayurvedic herbs that can be used to reduce stress and anxiety. Here are some:

Bhringaraj

Bhringaraj is an ayurvedic herb that helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It is a natural sedative that can be taken in the form of a tea or capsule. It will calm you down, relieve tension, help you sleep better, and lessen irritability. You can make this drink by adding one teaspoon of bhringaraj powder to a cup of boiling water and letting it steep for 5 minutes before drinking it down.

Ashwagandha

According to Ayurveda, ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which means it helps the body deal with stress. Ashwagandha has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety in several studies. One study showed that it significantly reduced stress and anxiety in medical students during their exams and also it showed that it reduced stress and anxiety in people with chronic stress. You can take this herb in capsules or as tea. To make tea, add 1 tsp of root powder to hot water and steep for 10 minutes before drinking up to 3 cups per day. If you are taking it as a supplement, look for an extract standardized for 2-4% withanolides or 5-6% total withanolides (with at least 25% of those being 5-hydroxy withanolides).

Jatamasi

Jatamasi is one of the best Ayurvedic herbs that are effective in reducing stress and anxiety. The herb works by helping to regulate the nervous system, which can help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. Jatamasi is also thought to help improve sleep quality, which can further help reduce stress levels. To use Jatamasi for stress relief, try taking it in capsule form or as a tea.

Brahmi

Brahmi has been traditionally used to support the nervous system. It has a calming and cooling effect on the body, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Brahmi is also known to improve memory and cognitive function. To use Brahmi for stress relief, you can take it in capsule form or make a tea by steeping the herb in hot water for 10 minutes.

Vacha

Vacha, also known as sweet flag, is another effective Ayurvedic herb that has been used for centuries to help reduce stress and anxiety. Modern science has backed up these traditional uses, showing that Vacha can help to improve cognitive function and reduce stress levels. Vacha is most commonly taken in powder form, but it can also be found in tinctures and capsules. To use vacha for stress relief, take 1 gram of powder or 300-500 mg of tincture per day.

Gotu Kola

Stress and anxiety are traditionally reduced with Gotu kola in Ayurvedic medicine. This adaptogenic herb helps the body to better cope with stress by reducing the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Additionally, Gotu kola has been shown to improve cognitive function and memory. If you're looking for a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety, look no further than Gotu kola!

Yoga and Asanas For Stress Reliever

Yoga is an effective way to reduce stress. One of the benefits of yoga is that it helps you to focus on your breath and be in the present moment. This can help you to feel more relaxed and less stressed. Yoga also helps to improve your flexibility and strength, which can lead to better overall health and well-being. During the morning, you should do the following yoga poses:

Bridge pose

The bridge pose is a great way to reduce stress and promote balance in the body. To do the bridge pose, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Press down into your heels and lift into the lower back so that you're lifting your hips towards the ceiling. Hold for at least five breaths, then release by rolling down one vertebra at a time until you reach the floor again. Repeat as many times as desired or needed for best results.

Standing Forward Fold Pose

This is one of the simplest and most effective poses for stress relief. It helps to calm the mind and body by relieving tension in the neck, shoulders, and back. Plus, it's a great way to get some deep breathing in. To do this pose, stand with your feet hip-width apart and fold forward at the hips, letting your arms hang down. You can also place your hands on your shins or grab the opposite elbows. Breathe deeply and hold for at least five breaths.

Child's Pose

Taking just a few minutes out of your day to do some simple yoga can help reduce stress. One of the best poses for stress relief is Child's Pose. To get into Child's Pose, start on all fours and then sit back on your heels. Once you're sitting on your heels, bring your forehead to the ground and stretch your arms out in front of you. Hold this pose for at least 30 seconds and then slowly come back up to all fours before standing up.

Extended Triangle Pose

The Extended Triangle Pose is a great way to reduce stress with Ayurveda. This pose helps to calm the mind and body by stretching the muscles and improving circulation. To do this pose, stand with your feet about three feet apart and extend your arms out to the sides. Then, bend your body to the right, bringing your right hand down to touch the ground near your right foot. Hold this position for several deep breaths before returning to standing and repeating on the other side.

Meditation

Meditation is an effective stress reliever. People who meditated for eight weeks had a decrease in their cortisol levels, which is the hormone that is released during times of stress. It can be hard to find time to meditate, but there are ways you can fit it into your day: take short pauses throughout the day, and use guided meditation apps. You just sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and focus on your breath. exhale slowly and repeat. Continue for 10-15 minutes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using the principles of Ayurveda is a great way to reduce stress and improve your quality of life. You don't have to completely convert your lifestyle, but by using some of these tips in your daily routine, you can experience noticeable changes. If you are struggling with something that doesn't seem to be getting better, consult a medical professional. The key is consistency - incorporating some or all of these Ayurvedic practices into your life for a few weeks at a time. Hope this post was helpful!