Beating Physical, Emotional, and Mental Fatigue with Ayurveda
Date Posted:21 June 2012
Many people are frequent visitors to their doctor's office, desperately wanting to know why they are always so tired and what can be done to remedy this problem. However, western medicine usually cannot offer much, and still, for the most part, does not understand the cause of idiopathic fatigue or chronic fatigue. In most cases, if you consult with a conventional doctor with complaints of lack of energy and lethargy, you are subjected to a series of blood tests, only to walk out with a prescription for an anti-depressant. While depression may be an underlying factor for some, usually it is a matter of cleansing your body and feeding it the proper Ayurvedic nutrition so you can operate at your optimal best.
Ayurveda is different than conventional medicine in that it accounts for everything that makes you, you, including your mind, body, and spirit. Whether it is physical, emotional, or mental fatigue, it represents a breakdown of the connection between your body, mind, and spirit, according to Ayurveda.
This usually occurs because there is a toxic overload within the body that blocks the flow of your life force which presents symptomatically with fatigue, lethargy, loss of excitement or vitality for life, poor digestion, aches and pains, and depression or anxiety.
Fortunately, the human body is amazing and at its core being is the vital energy, which allows you to reverse the damage done once you return the harmony between the mind, body, and spirit and allow the life force to flow naturally and freely.
Restore Balance, Restore Energy
The best way to return the proper balance is to discover unhealthy patterns of living that are disharmonious to your nature. The key is identifying which dosha you fall under; whether you are Vata, Kapha, or Pitta can make a big difference in how you approach life, nutrition, diet, and even exercise.
Although the doshas regulate hundreds, if not thousands, of separate functions within the body and the mind, each one does have its own unique function. Vata controls movement, Kapha controls structure, and Pitta controls metabolism. When one of these functions is thrown out of balance, the rest soon follow. Every cell, tissue, fluid, and component of your body has to contain all three principals in balance in order to thrive.
However, because each person is comprised of their own unique constitution and dosha or combination of doshas, one solution that works miracles in one person may be a detriment and make the situation worse in another. It is essential that you identify your dosha type in order to find natural fatigue remedies appropriate for you. Once your dosha type is identified, the next step is to learn how to nourish and restore balance in a way that is beneficial to you.
For one example, somebody with Vata dosha experiencing fatigue may want to consider that this type is well-known for experiencing exhaustion as a result of overdoing things, while a Kapha individual may have to intensify their exercise routine to restore balance. All the natural fatigue remedies out there will not work for you if they were designed for a different dosha type than what you are.
While it is recommended that you consult with a physician to eliminate any underlying health issues like diabetes or a thyroid disorder, disease is rarely the cause of fatigue. There are usually underlying causes that get lost in the midst of a busy and hectic lifestyle. It can be helpful to keep a diary and ask yourself questions, such as:
- Am I happy in my job or am I stressed out when I leave everyday?
- Do I respect and like the people that surround me the most everyday? Do they respect and like me in return?
- What does my daily diet consist of and am I having any unexplained cravings for sweet, salty, or sour foods?
- Am I getting enough exercise on a daily basis? Am I getting too much exercise?
- How are my bowel movements and am I completely evacuating my bowels?
- How well do I sleep at night? Do I have trouble falling asleep at night? Do I have trouble waking up in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep? Am I still tired when I wake up in the morning?
- Are my closest relationships healthy and nourishing?
- Can I openly communicate my feelings with not only friends and family, but with myself as well?
Based on your answers and your understanding of your specific dosha type, you can begin to identify unhealthy patterns in your lifestyle that are contributing to throwing off the balance between your mind, spirit, and body, leading to emotional, physical, or mental fatigue. Eliminate Toxins, Restore Energy A body that is overloaded with an accumulation of ama, a toxic sticky residue produced by waste that is improperly eliminated, cannot stay in balance, restore balance, or maintain balance. The toxins must be eliminated from the body before natural fatigue remedies will work.
One of the best ways to do this is through a series of internal cleanses, warm oil massages, supplements, and enemas. One aspect of fatigue that is overlooked are emotional or mental toxins, leading to emotional fatigue or mental fatigue. You should surround yourself with positive energy that influences you in a positive manner rather than stressful and negative energy. If you cannot do something immediately to eliminate this type of stress, learning how to cope with it in a healthy manner can help reduce and eliminate fatigue.