Under pressure, feeling worried?
Author: Maharishi Ayurveda Date Posted:22 May 2017
No worries no pressure
Ayurveda explains that stress or pressure disturbs the link between mind and emotions making our emotions unstable. This leads to mood swings, less ability to focus or problem-solve, with worry, anxiety and feeling of being ‘on edge’. This in turn increases stress or pressure and the cycle continues.
This stressful process primarily causes an imbalance in Vata Dosha and specifically Prana Vata which is the most important of the five sub areas of Vata in you. As it progresses it also disrupts digestion causing impurities from incomplete digestion, which further aggravate worry and anxiety.
What is Prana Vata?
Prana Vata is located in the head, brain and chest. It is the upward moving wind of Vata from the navel into the head. Prana Vata enlivens the nervous system, senses, emotions and intellect.
- Imbalance of Prana Vata is linked to worry, anxiety, over-active mind, neurological disorders, insomnia, asthma, respiratory complaints, tension headaches.
- It is imbalanced by mental strain, inadequate sleep, late bedtime, lack of oil in diet, too much computer work
In helping to reduce worry and anxiety we primarily focus on restoring balance to Vata and Prana Vata while at the same time balancing the impact on your digestion, cerebral-spinal fluid and how emotions affect your heart.
Restoring Balance
This is an excellent way to balance Prana Vata as it soothes the two master systems of the body - the nervous system and the endocrine system. And it feels great too!
Perform the self massage in the morning prior to shower or bath. Store your massage oil in a plastic flip-top bottle and warm it by sitting the container in a cup of hot water for a few minutes, or by running it under a hot tap.
Dip your fingertips into the warm sesame oil or Organic Vata Massage Oil, or place a small amount in your palm and apply it lightly to the body for 1-2 minutes or 5-10 minutes as below.
- Quality Sleep
Adequate hours of quality sleep is the most important lifestyle strategy for balancing Prana Vata in you. Sleep is an active regenerative state that provides a daily reset to the brain and nervous system. Sleep helps to regulate stress hormones that would otherwise disturb digestion contributing to gas and bloating. The best time to go to bed is between 9-10pm and the best time to wake up and get up is with the sun or at 6am. It is very important for you to reduce mental activity after 7.30 pm to allow your nervous system plenty of time to unwind before bed.
- Eat at regular meal times and take time to sit quietly after eating for 5-10 minutes. Then where you can have an easy stroll for 10-15 minutes to aid digestion. You will notice the difference in how you feel. If you find yourself skipping lunch in the midst of a hectic day, you may want to rethink your schedule. Proper meal timing may be just the thing you need in order to cope with a busy schedule.
- Favour foods that balance Vata: take sips of Vata Tea or Worry Free Tea every 15-30 minutes and use Organic Vata Seasonal Spice Mix at lunch and dinner.
- Self Massage Give yourself a massage prior your morning shower or bath most days using Organic Vata Massage Oil.
This is an excellent way to balance Prana Vata as it soothes the two master systems of the body - the nervous system and the endocrine system. And it feels great too!
Perform the self massage in the morning prior to shower or bath. Store your massage oil in a plastic flip-top bottle and warm it by sitting the container in a cup of hot water for a few minutes, or by running it under a hot tap.
Dip your fingertips into the warm sesame oil or Organic Vata Massage Oil, or place a small amount in your palm and apply it lightly to the body for 1-2 minutes or 5-10 minutes as below. - Helpful herbals
The following herbals along with Vata Tea Organic help to calm and nourish your nervous system, support a happy feeling within, optimise digestion and assimilation, while also helping to reduce worry and anxiety.
Herbal Digest helps digestion by reducing gas and bloating, improving absorption, eliminating the build-up of wastes and impurities, balancing acid and enzyme production and enhancing the sense of taste for full enjoyment and optimal digestive function. Take 1-2 tablets prior main meals.
Worry Free helps to calm the nervous system and give you the mental resources to sail through situations that could cause a meltdown. It contain Jatamansi (Muskroot), Greater Galangal (Aloe weed) and Ashwagandha (Winter cherry) to help support a balanced mind and nervous system.
Calming Vata Tea Organic has a sweet, mellow, warm and calming flavour. It helps reduce or remove gas during eating, after a meal and throughout the day and creates a comfortable, relaxed, balanced and happy feeling within.
Drink 1 cup of Vata tea after each meal or snack. Place 1 teabag in a 1.5 L flask with boiling water. Pour yourself a cup and sip regularly through the day.
Organic Vata Seasonal Spice Mix is a tasty spice mix supports digestion, helps reduce gas and bloating and supports better elimination. It contains anti-inflammatory ginger and turmeric. Turmeric provides immune and allergy support and is skin purifying. It also makes the food taste really delicious! Sprinkle over your savoury meals at lunch and dinner or use in the cooking process.
Wishing you the bliss of balance…
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Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi Ayurveda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our weekly Insights. She has a practice in Auckland, New Zealand and also provides phone or Skype sessions for those who need assistance, but don’t have a consultant in their vicinity. Email: lindasinden@orbislife.co.nz Skype: Linda.Sinden |
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