ayurveda for an anxious mind
Fear, uncertainty, worry, busy repetitive mind are familiar mental territory for many of us. From an Ayurvedic lens we understand this family of emotions as an outcome of increased Vata dosha affecting the mind. Vata, the constitutional combination of air and ether elements, is marked by dry, light, rough, cold, subtle, mobile, and clear qualities.
In times of uncertainty and high levels of stress Vata can increase, causing us to experience our minds as more anxious than our personal mental baseline. We may notice shorter, quicker breath; trouble getting to or staying asleep; irregular digestion and elimination; a sense of being cold, trembling, or being ungrounded. Yoga & Ayurveda don’t see body and mind as separate entities, so working to decrease Vata in times of anxiety will have a physical as well as a mental/emotional benefit.
While there are innumerable Vata pacifying practices, there are a few powerhouse practices that I like to use when anxiety is high.
Shift your breath
Breath techniques that lengthen exhale are calming and quieting for Vata, and therefore an anxious mind. Traditionally we might shift the breath ratio to one where the breath is twice as long as inhale, or a 1:2 ratio. So you would inhale 3 counts and exhale 6, or inhale 4 and exhale 8, etc. Simple diaphragmatic breath can be shifted this way, as can alternate nostril breath or nadi shodhana. Buzzing Bee, or brahmari, is especially potent for anxiety as well.
Use oil
Where Vata is dry, light, rough, cold, and subtle; oil is lubricating, heavy, smooth, warming, and substantive - all of the therapeutic opposites of Vata dosha. When applied to the body regularly as a part of daily oil massage, or abhyanga, the qualities of the oil are integrated by the body decreasing Vata and thereby decrease our level of anxiety. Ayurvedic oil massage is beyond a moisturization technique, the oil and the herbs that Ayurvedic massage oils contain are transported via the dermis into the deeper tissues including the nervous system.
Receive support from herbs
During times of high stress, we may be using practices of yoga & ayurveda, and still find a level of anxiety present. This is a lovely time to access herbal support. There are many Ayurvedic herbs that when alchemized in formulation create potent support for an anxious mind.
We use these Vata pacifying and mind-calming herbs in our Vata Root Down Tea and Sereni-Tea formulations.
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When it come to an anxious mind there’s so much help to be had using the tools of yoga & ayurveda. Try these Vata pacifying practices and let me know what you notice in the comments below. Know someone who could use this information, share this article with them!
And please remember… Ayurveda takes an individualized approach to wellness, if you need support putting together a personalized plan consider an Ayurvedic consultation. Having an ally focused on your health and helping you to craft a personalized diet, lifestyle, and yoga routine is so supportive to body AND mind.
Ayurvedic Supports for Anxiety from the Apothecary
