Anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, panic attacks and other variations of an unsettled state of mind are incredibly tiring and can sap your natural joy and creativity. In Ayurveda, these kinds of conditions are related to an aggravated or imbalanced state of Vata Dosha. People with a strong Vata nature tend to be creative, joyful, and enthusiastic. However, they can also wind up dealing with anxious, worried, and even fearful states of mind—often without rhyme or reason!
People dealing with chronic anxiety often lose sleep, have trouble connecting with others, and deal with a pervasive sense of worry that creates a mental instability. In their balanced state, Vata predominant constitutions are naturally quick-thinking, creative, and enthusiastic, but in their imbalanced state those same qualities can be overshadowed by prolonged states of anxiety.
How to Treat Anxiety Naturally with Ayurveda
When I treat anxiety using Ayurvedic techniques, my goal is to balance the Vata Dosha on two levels:
Give the body, nervous system, and brain chemistry the appropriate grounding, settling herbs and medicines
Provide the mind with the tools, techniques, and perspectives to free up the circuits of anxiety and restore creative balance
Interestingly, people struggling with anxiety often find great relief through balancing the biochemistry in their brain, nervous system, and body. This brings up an important issue, which is that many people with anxiety (or related conditions) are taking several different neuromodulating herbs and substances. This can “confuse” Vata and can overstimulate the delicate nervous system tissue which is already dealing with an overactive state! While there are many different herbs and natural medicines that claim to reduce anxiety, the ones that are most effective for your physiology will always depend on your individual nature.
When dealing with the mind there are a few key areas to address. Certain faulty beliefs and perspectives often have to be removed in order to have the mental circuitry that perpetuates a calm state of mind. In addition, resetting the mind/body connection can also help to reduce anxiety for short and long-term relief. These methods allow you to “jump-start” more balanced states of mind through breathing techniques like Wim Hof breathing and Pranayama.
Ayurveda Provides a Comprehensive & Holistic Approach to Anxiety
As I mentioned above, the right combination of natural treatments for anxiety will be different for everyone, since the potential methods range from traditional techniques, to herbal substances and medicines, to modern integrative remedies.
As a practitioner, I often encourage my clients to continue working with their therapist, doctor, or physical therapist to manage their anxiety. But finding that perfect combination of herbs, diet, and lifestyle recommendations is truly a skill. While Ashwagandha (a commonly recommended Ayurvedic medicine for anxiety) might be good for some, ginger root might actually be a better choice for you.
Every human body has connections to the Natural world that can be strengthened in order to alleviate conditions like anxiety. Lining up with your circadian rhythms, getting exposure to the sun, and using your respiratory system mindfully and deliberately are all natural remedies for anxiety that are built into our earthly human existence.
Ayurveda for Stress and Anxiety: Basic Remedies
Deep levels of nervous system healing, balancing, and grounding must be highly personalized in order to be effective. However, the good news is that some common Ayurvedic remedies for anxiety relief are essentially universal. If you’re looking for an anxiety treatment without medication, the suggestions below might not resolve underlying imbalances but can help to provide relief from anxiety.
1. Renovate your routine.
Be “early to bed and early to rise.” This is an essential recommendation for nearly all mental health conditions, particularly anxiety. If the mind and brain can get deep rest at night (ideally between 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.) this alone can create a huge amount of healing. If you’re having sleep problems, be sure you’re waking up early (even if it’s difficult) and getting adequate physical activity during the day. Regular exercise and early rising do more to ensure an easier time falling asleep than many other herbs and remedies.
2. Favor a Vata-balancing diet.
The principles of a Vata-balancing diet are simple: eat warm, well-cooked and oily foods. At the same time, you’ll also want to avoid dry, rough and raw foods. There are nuances for each individual, but if your diet starts to balance Vata in the gut, you’ll see huge transformations in your mental states.
3. Incorporate meditation, breathing and positivity techniques.
Want to better steer the ship of your mental health? Adding at least one of these techniques as a regular part of your routine can help to create a solid foundation for an anxiety-free state of mind. While I’ve specifically recommended Wim Hof breathing and Pranayama, there are a range of effective options so you can choose a practice that best fits you and your lifestyle.
Working with an Ayurvedic Practitioner: Holistic Treatment for Anxiety
The right combination of Ayurvedic remedies for your imbalances and conditions is unique to your constitution, the season and your chapter of healing. To create deep healing in your mind and take your mental health to the next levels, consider having a personal session with me.
