Vata Imbalance
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Causative Factors
If you are experiencing some discomfort, there is usually a precipitating cause – a pattern of behaviour that has thrown the dosha out of balance. This cause can be identified and corrected. Here are typical patterns to look for:
- You have undergone a period of stress and respond with anxiety
- Physical and mental exhaustion from a period of overdoing it
- You chain smoke or suffer from alcohol or drug addiction
- You have had a sudden change in your life or the season is changing
- Your diet includes a lot of cold, dry, raw foods
- You eat a lot of bitter, spicy or astringent foods (salads, beans, raw green leafy vegetables)
- You habitually skip meals or are dieting
- You have been sleeping poorly for more than a few days
- You have taken a trip recently.
- The weather is cold, dry and windy (autumn and winter)
What causes Vata imbalance?
Vata out of balance gives rise to..
- Worries, overactive mind, sleep problems and difficulty breathing.
- Dry coughs, sore throats, earaches and generalised fatigue.
- Slow or rapid digestion with gas, intestinal cramps, tenancy for poor assimilating and weak tissue.
- Intestinal cramps, menstrual discomfort, lower back pain, irregularity of bowel - constipation and gas to diarrhoea, in a changeable manner.
- Dry or rough skin, nervousness, shakiness, poor blood flow, and stress-related problems.
Each dosha has certain qualities. For vata these qualities are: moving, changeable, quick, light, dry, rough, hard, cold and fluctuating. When one or more of these qualities increases beyond comfortable limits for you, then a symptoms of imbalance will arise. The more subtle imbalances arise first in the mind and emotions and then develop into bodily symptoms.
For example – getting insufficient sleep for more than a few nights will cause lightness in the mind – mental concentration becomes difficult, tendancy to worry and become anxious increases and stomach may become upset. This then can create physical upsets such as alternating constipation and diahorrhea, digestive discomfort and headaches. Longer term poor digestion could lead to a build up of toxins in the joints and be behind symptoms such as stiff or sore joints, and degenerative conditions like Arthritis.
The key to balancing Vata is a regular routine!
Although being spontaneous can be fun at time Vata does best with a regular pattern of life that provides the nourishment, rest, warmth, fluids, relaxation and rest that a sensitive nervous systems require.
- Balance the changeable quality of Vata by adopting a regular bed time.
- Be in bed by 10.00 pm. Aim to get 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep.
- Allow your mind and body to settle well before you go to bed.
- Be sure to wind down for a 1-2 hours prior bed and avoid mental stimulation after 8pm, such as computer work or fast-paced, aggressive TV or videos.
Wind down herbal help
- Enjoy a nice cup of Slumber Time Tea 20 minutes prior bed.
- If you have difficulty falling asleep take Blissful Sleep 1-2 tablets prior bed. If you have difficulty waking in the night take Deep Rest 1-2 tablets prior bed and 1-2 tablets as needed if you wake.
- Gently rub the feet with sesame oil or Vata Massage Oil Organic at bedtime (you can remove excess oil with a soft cloth or paper towel).
Every-day herbals for Vatas
