Mental Balance and Clarity

Life in the 21st century is fast-paced, with many demands, expectations, and stresses that vary depending on the individual. Sensory overload is a growing problem with smartphone dependency, emails, texts, traffic, excess noise, and air pollution.

 

This constant vigilance creates physical, mental, and emotional fatigue, which can result in worry, anxiety, stress, and possibly depression. All of these can disrupt the body's cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, urinary, and immune systems. 

 

Ayurveda is unique because it treats the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—by addressing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances using holistic practices based on the energetics of our universe and surroundings. 

 

Ayurveda understands stress as a disturbance of the nervous system, mainly regulated by the Vata dosha (Air and ether elements). This dosha is cold, dry, light, and mobile. When these qualities increase in and around us, it increases the dosha and can result in fatigue, swirling thoughts, anxiety, and, when not balanced, stress and possible depression. 

 

The human stress response is an amazing system that helps humans cope with moments of crisis and danger during natural disasters, war, and devasting emotional loss. When stressed, the sympathetic nervous system floods the body with stress hormones (cortisol). This reallocates the body's resources, making more energy available to the brain and large muscle groups, but decreases urine production, inhibits inflammation, slows the digestive capacity, and stifles the immune response. 

 

In Ayurvedic philosophy, like increases like, and opposites balance disharmony. We can bring almost immediate balance when nourishing qualities are introduced through our diets, lifestyles, daily practices, and relationships. Although this idea is easy in theory, it is sometimes difficult for many because we rely on fast-paced solutions or medications that remove the symptoms. 

 

Once you understand your constitution (Prakruti) and your current state of health (Vikruti), you can work with a practitioner to create daily practices that balance the body, mind, and spirit. This includes lifestyle practices (possibly changes), foods, spices, herbs, and the five sense therapies. 

 

If you are experiencing any imbalances, the first step is to have an Ayurvedic evaluation to determine your constitution and current state of health. On the front page of my website, there is an option to set up a FREE phone appointment to discuss your concerns and decide what might be best for your health. 

 

I look forward to speaking with you soon.