7 Ayurvedic Treatments for Anxiety
Updated: Oct 14, 2024
Discover the source of persistent anxiety. Uncover the underlying cause of anxiety as per Ayurveda. When Vata is out of balance, anxiety typically manifests as the initial sign. Explore 7 Ayurvedic strategies for addressing anxiety at its core. Eager to overcome that unsettling sensation? Explore 30 indications and manifestations of Vata imbalance in the body and mind.
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7 Ayurvedic Treatments for Anxiety
What is Vata Dosha?
Before delving into an Ayurvedic Approach to Calming Vata and Anxiety, let's explore the Vata dosha.
In Ayurveda, an individual's constitution is made up of three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has its own distinct characteristics. While all three doshas exist within each person, the key lies in the balance of these doshas.
Everyone has a dominant dosha or a combination thereof. Understanding your doshic profile will empower you to make informed and healthy decisions, leading to a more harmonious life.
Vata dosha, composed of air and ether, governs all forms of movement in the universe, including breathing, digestion, and the activity or stillness of the mind. Therefore, Vata holds significant importance for everyone, being the force driving all movement.
Vata Dosha is comprised of the elements of air and ether.
The primary characteristics of Vata doshas include being dry, light, cool, rough, subtle, and mobile. Consequently, individuals with a Vata constitution are typically slender and tall. They are mentally and physically active, possessing vivid imaginations, and tend to think creatively and innovatively. A Vata person's mind can easily wander, and their moods are easily influenced by external factors such as weather, people, and diet.
To balance the mobile and light qualities of Vata, it is essential to establish a consistent daily Ayurvedic morning and evening routine that includes calming practices like meditation, pranayama (breathwork), or engaging in soothing and creative activities. Since Vata dosha is closely linked to the nervous system, nourishment and rejuvenation play a crucial role in maintaining equilibrium.
Related Readings: What is Ayurveda? A Beginner's Guide and Beyond
Signs Vata Dosha is Imbalanced
If there is an imbalance in the Vata Dosha, you might observe the following symptoms:
30 Signs of Vata Imbalances
Body:
Dry skin, hair, lips, joints
Dry digestive tract: gas, bloat, constipation
Dry, scanty, irregular periods, or absent flow. When your period is present, imbalanced Vata manifests as anxiety, insomnia, sharp or stinging cramps, and blood discoloration
General sense of feeling cold, hands and feet especially
Poor circulation
Tight muscles, twitches, muscle spasms and feeling clenched
Tics and tremors
Aches and pains here, there, and everywhere at times
Palpitations
Tinnitus
Dehydration
Weight loss, difficulty gaining weight, and weight loss and hair loss
Fidgeting or other extra movement such a bouncing legs
Dislike of cold and wind
Difficulty with loud noises
Light, interrupted sleep
Difficulty sleeping, with waking, or difficulty and staying asleep
Feeling weak, fatigued, loss of vitality
Astringent taste, dryness in the mouth
Sense of wanting to run or runaway
Lack of focus or forgetful
Difficulty concentrating, remembering
Mind:
Anxiety, nervousness
Panic attacks
Fear
Restless
Agitated
Dizziness
Feeling ungrounded, spacey, scattered, overwhelmed
Excess worrying and thinking in general (“cannot shut my mind off, it just keeps talking.’)
Feeling sped-up, racing mind
Confused
Shaky
Excessive talking
7 Ayurvedic Tips for calming and restoring the nervous system
The world has been plagued by uncertainty and many people have feel sad, depressed, isolated, and anxious.
If you’re among this population of people feeling out of sorts, Ayurveda can help. Contrary to mainstream medicine which relies heavily on pharmaceuticals, the Ayurvedic approach focuses on treating the root cause of your distress.
In 7 Ayurvedic Treatments for Anxiety, we'll explore:
Why it’s difficult to feel good and grounded during times of uncertainty
Which doshas are associated with PTSD and anxiety
How to take an Ayurvedic approach to healing
Why it’s difficult to regulate well-being during times of uncertainty
From time to time we all experience stressful, anxiety-inducing experiences that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is especially true when unexpected events occur that we have no control over.
In response to these experiences, your body releases cortisol — a hormone that regulates and reduces stress. However, when the stress-inducing events are continual like the riots and pandemic have been, your body may lose its ability to regulate and keep you in balance. As a result, ongoing anxiety, depression, and PTSD can occur.
Anxiety and Vata Doshas
We are comprised of the three doshas. These doshas, known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha help us maintain our overall well-being when balanced. However, when one or more of the doshas becomes imbalanced, physical, and mental health issues arise and disease can occur.
Vata governs movement — including heart rate, breathing, and mindset (including thoughts). As such, when Vata increases may manifest as anxiety, anxious depression, fear, panic attacks, and PTSD. What's at the root cause? When excess Vata accumulates in the nervous system--that's anxiety.
A Guide To Balancing Anxiety with Ayurveda
1. Acknowledge What Is
As spiritual beings having a human experience, each of us is gifted with something known as an emotional guidance system. This internal compass is meant to guide us through life so we can effectively process our emotions.
To access this internal system, we start by acknowledging what is. This means rather than ignoring what’s happening around us, or trying to pretend it isn’t real, instead, we fully acknowledge the current reality. This acknowledgment, in turn, allows us to fully process all our associated feelings.
Acknowledging what is will help you navigate life’s unexpected ebbs and flows without becoming overwhelmed.
2. Practice diaphragmatic breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, involves the diaphragmatic muscles to help fill the lungs more effectively and bring the practitioner into the present moment. This practice promotes relaxation and a sense of grounding. Check out Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Transform Your Life. for a comprehensive guide.
Benefits of diaphragm breathing include:
Anxiety reduction
Stress reduction
Lowered blood pressure and heart rate
Enables you to feel and be present
Promotes relaxation
How to practice diaphragmatic breathing:
Lie comfortably on a flat surface
Support your head with a pillow
Place one hand over your chest, and the other over your abdomen
Breathe in slowly through your nose, notice how your abdomen rises as you inhale and lowers as you exhale
Simply observe the abdomen as it rises and falls rhythmically
Observe within your comfortable capacity
Practice for 2-10 minutes.
You can practice diaphragm breathing throughout the day. Include diaphragmatic breathing as part of your morning and evening Ayurveda routine. You may practice at other times as well, or whenever you need to ground and soothe Vata dosha and relax.
3. Limit screen time
According to research, overexposure to the news, social media and technology, and general, can lead to anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
This is especially true as we live through the ongoing pandemic, and are overly exposed to news stories about death, rising cases, and global restrictions.
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to overexposure — unplugging. As a rule of thumb, aim to disconnect from technology (your phone, tablet, TV, computer, etc.) after 6 pm. Sleep with your phone out of arms reach so if you wake up in the middle of the night, you aren’t tempted to scroll through social media or read the latest news. Choose one day a week for a screen fast. During this time, take a walk outside, read a book, relax, and reconnect with yourself.
4. Ground yourself with Ayurvedic routines known as dinachayra
Vata's best friend is rhythm, or routine. Dinacharya is a daily routine you follow that creates balance. Having a routine during times of stress and uncertainty is especially important because it soothes and grounds Vata which likes to keep moving.
10 Ayurvedic Evening Rituals for a Calming Night Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day
Example of a daily Ayurveda routine:
Drink a warm glass of water with lemon upon waking to rehydrate and stimulate waste elimination
Have a bowel movement
Clean your tongue and brush your teeth to remove ama (toxins)
Massage your gums with sesame oil to nourish and remove bacteria
Practice abhyanga self-massage
Shower
Enjoy our guided 2-minute meditation to create and carry a relaxed awareness with you throughout your day.
Eat breakfast (choose seasonal foods as close to their natural state as possible)
Pairing a healthy fat and protein can be calming.
Two-Minute Meditation:
Your daily routine sets the tone for your entire day. When you take care of yourself and prioritize your well-being, you will feel less stressed and more balanced and fortified.
5. Practice restorative yog-asana (postures)
Restorative yoga is a slower-paced, meditative yoga practice that allows you to ground your body, calm your mind, and focus on your breath while releasing tension.
As opposed to quickly moving from posture to posture (as is commonly practiced in yoga), restorative yoga is about slowing down and coming in touch with your inner being through breath awareness, or prana. It is particularly soothing for Vata because these slow, long movements encourage the regulation of internal movement (for which Vata is responsible).
To get started, try these 3 asanas to soothe Vata and reduce anxiety:
1.) Bālāsana — also commonly referred to as Child’s Pose is a resting pose that closes the front body, and evokes feelings of being nurtured and protected. This pose stimulates mental and physical relaxation.
To move into Child’s Pose, kneel on your yoga mat with your thighs apart
Sink your buttocks to the heels of your feet
Curl your spine and fold your body forward
Draw your forehead down towards the ground
Breathe deeply into the back of your body
Extend your arms in front of your body
Relax and observe the breath.
2.) Savāsana — also known as Corpse Pose, Savāsana is used to promote relaxation and stillness at the end of your restorative yoga practice. While in Savāsana, listen to our guided progressive relaxation.
3.) Viparita Karani - also known as Legs Up the Wall Pose, Viparita Karani calms the nervous system and reduces stress and anxiety.
To practice Legs Up the Wall Pose lay on your back with the spine, neck, and head aligned.
Move your legs up against the wall
Place your hips about 6 inches from the wall or the distance that is comfortable for you
Arms about 8-12 inches from your sides
Stay in this position for as long as you are comfortable and relaxed.
To release the pose, gently push away from the wall and bring your knees to your chest, roll to your left side, pause, keep connected to your relaxed state, and slowly come to a seated position.
This is a perfect pose to transition from the day to your dinner and evening.
Yoga Poses For Balancing Doshas:
6. Try nasya oil treatment:
Nasya Oil Benefits - What is Nasya Oil Good For?
Nasya oil supports our inner wellbeing and overall health. When you begin regular Nasya treatment, you’ll see the benefits right away. Nasya oil can be used to increase mental function, as a preventative medicine, for better breathing, and for stress relief.
Nasya Oil for Stress Relief
When your Prana is cleared through your breath, you’ll experience stress and tension melt away in your neck, jaw, head, and shoulders. Any energy that has been blocked will be released, and energy won’t be able to stagnate in these areas. Mental and emotional stress and anxious thoughts contribute to fading health and many unnecessary afflictions. Nasya oil can help balance these energies, so you feel energized and revitalized all day long.
Nasya Oil Benefits for Vata Dosha: Nasya oil can remedy common symptoms of Vata imbalances - such as anxiety, anxious depression, sleep troubles, and brain fog.
“Your nasya oil really had a strong effect on my life. My mind was racing, and I have been highly stressed for a long time. I did the nasya and suddenly all went quiet. I felt like meditating. Your nasya oil really calmed the mind.” --Anonymous, New Mexico
7. Use our free guided practices daily:
Develop and maintain a calm state of mindfulness during your daily activities. Practice transitioning your nervous system from fight-or-flight mode to a state of rest, rejuvenation, and relaxation. This practice can greatly benefit Vata dosha, the nervous system, and the mind.
“Loving the daily practices, a routine that feels EMBODYING.”
--Mark F., USA
“I feel greatly improved. Stress fell of like an old hairy coat. I’m just not anxious. Depression is way decreased. I was haunted by anxiety my whole life, and it’s just gone. The mudra, mantra...WOW. This is so cool! I have regained hope. Something wonderful is taking place. You and your knowledge come to me after a lifetime of searching and prayer. I am forever grateful.” --Mark Hughes, Minnesota
“Veena is very knowledgeable and experienced. Veena is patient and listens and takes the whole person into consideration and not just a single symptom. She has a great natural remedy for nearly every condition—but the best remedy is that she actually cares.
It is not about statistics or charting; it’s about you are getting you healthy in the best way possible.”
-S.G- Gallagher Farm & Ranch, Nevada
“I had a wonderful consultation with Veena. She was thoughtful, supportive, knowledgeable and it was really easy to talk to her about everything. She has a wealth of knowledge for many different aspects of Ayurveda which helped me expand my own experience with the practice.
The treatment plans she devised, based on some of my biggest challenges or symptoms, were very insightful and specifically designed and purposed for me and my situation--which I loved.
Many of the practices suggested were new to me, but Veena has a way of encouraging people so that it doesn't feel overwhelming or impossible. I highly recommend her services for anyone looking to address any imbalance in their life, big or little.”
-Elise vanWeisternen, Seattle, WA
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7 Ayurvedic Treatments for Anxiety
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There is a saying, "The mind is more in the body, than the body is in the mind." The Saumya 3 step meditation process shifts us from fight-flight-freeze mode, to rest-restore-relax mode. Give it a try for forty days and observe the changes. The more grounded and relaxed we are, the smoother life flows.
"The breath is the connection between the mind and body, so by training the breath, we become calm, focused, and grounded, we slow down the aging process by decreasing stress. These practices are so simple and easy to have as part of our daily life. We actually feel and look younger."
- Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
1. Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life. When we re-learn to breath diaphragmatically, we move from the flight-fight-freeze mode, to rest, restore, relaxation mode from where we want and need to live.
2. Daily Guided Practices: 11 minutes in the morning and in the evening, as anchors of your daily Ayurveda routine.
3. Ayurveda Daily Routines: --Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day
"Choose a couple of practices from the routines that provide you with the greatest support. Perform them while applying our two minute meditation technique and your mundane tasks, just transformed into a mellifluous meditation. This is meditation applied to daily life." - Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
"Veena was able to help me regain my energy in just a few months and I’m feeling like my “young” self again! I love the food plan she designed for me, and all the supporting practices (am/pm routines, breathing techniques, herbs, and spice mixes) are so enjoyable to incorporate into my day. I highly recommend Saumya Ayurveda if you want to feel better and have more vitality.”
-Molly Rossini, Minnesota
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We all want to be heard, understood, and cared for as whole beings, not a set of isolated symptoms. True health is more than the absence of disease, which is why Western medicine so often leaves us feeling hopeless and unseen.
Deep down, you already know what you’re searching for: a new framework for living – one that brings your entire being back into balance. With Saumya Ayurveda, you’ll receive individualized guidance to create the physically, mentally, and spiritually vibrant life you crave.
Saumya Ayurveda provides concierge, top-notch, award-winning Ayurveda care. We strive to keep it simple, so you can focus on you! Our practice model is client focused not on retailing herbs.
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MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.
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Meet Nutmeg, our newest pack member. He is classically Vata natured. His frame is slender with long toes. It is easy to see his bones and he has prominent joints. His gait is quick, and he loves to run.
As is true with Vata, Nutmeg's brown eyes are small compared to his face. He has thin eye lashes and eyebrows and his bark his hoarse or dry.
Nutmeg has an irregular appetite; sometimes he is hungry and sometimes not. He learns quickly, but tends to forget. He like variety and moves from one interest to the next taking in all he can.
As for Nutmeg's emotional tendencies, he can be anxious. He is frightened by loud noises and wind. Cold temperatures are not for him. He is sweet, active, and seeks reassurance and likes to hide under shrubs to feel secure.
