Ayurvedic Practices for Stress Management and Relaxation

Ayurveda which literally translates to ‘Science of Life’, has its origins in the Vedas,which is a large body of the most ancient scriptures known to man. With its origins inIndia, Ayurveda is a collection of age-old and time-tested wellbeing traditions. It is anofficial component of India’s healthcare system and, along with India, is practiced invarious parts of Asia. It could be considered the mother of codified medical traditions,parallel to Greek, African, and Arabic traditions. With an intense focus on physical,mental, and spiritual health, it advocates the preventive, curative, and rejuvenatingaspects of healthcare.

Importance of stress management in today’s fast paced world.

Stress management is important because of the rapid pace our lives have taken. Although reasons and effects of stress are plenty, here are a few, in a nutshell:

• Increased demands and pressure at work as well as in personal or social lives lead to stress and anxiety. The pressure to perform, compete, and be a winner often does more harm than good.
• Stress contributes to several health risks including heart disease, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system.
• Stress causes or even worsens mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
• It also erodes your decision making as well as problem solving abilities. When stressed, we struggle to focus, make decisions, and be productive. This affects our professional as well as personal lives.
• Stress leads to frustration and irritability. This causes conflicts in our personal, professional or social relationships which in turn affects our productivity as a whole human being.

Stress management techniques have been observed to help us cope better, improve and ensure our sense of overall well-being, and enhance the quality of our lives.

Ayurveda is an ancient and time tested traditional treatment methodology which is known to heal, rejuvenate and ensure sustenance of sound health. Additionally, it has been observed to bring relaxation to the mind as well as the body. Ayurveda is not limited to prevention, treatment, and cure but has a great deal to offer the world, especially in the current lifestyle scenario. Owing to its strong perspective on preventive care, rejuvenation, and methodical curative approaches to diseases, its relevance is constantly on the rise world over and especially in fast paced regions such as the UAE.

Ayurvedic Practices for Stress Management and their Benefits

Ayurveda offers several traditional and time tested practices which are known to help manage stress by way of focusing on balancing the mind and the body. These are non-invasive and are known for their long-term effects. A few of them are listed below:

Pranayama: This ritual includes deep breathing techniques as well as breathing using one nostril at a time. This is known to calm down the nervous system which results in calming of the mind and reducing stress levels.

Yoga and Meditation: Along with breathing exercises which are known to influence blood circulation as well as the chain of thoughts, Yoga includes postures which are known as Asanas, which improve upon flexibility of the body, and help strengthen the muscles. Yoga brings discipline into thought as well as action, reduces stress, and increases energy levels.

Meditation or techniques to practice mindfulness bring clarity of thought, quieten the mind, reduce anxiety, and assist in managing stress.

Abhyanga: A systematic massage of the body in a specific way, and at specific speed, using medicinal oil or liquids of specific temperature is not just extremely relaxing but also facilitates removal of toxins, and reduces tension in the muscles.

Diet and Lifestyle:

Ayurveda recommends a balanced diet and lifestyle. This includes a focus on healthy sleeping, eating and lifestyle habits.

How does Ayurveda help in balancing the mind, body and spirit?

Holding a holistic approach to health and overall wellbeing, Ayurveda focuses on the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit.

Yoga being a part of the lifestyle habits Ayurveda recommends, helps calm the mind, reduces anxiety, and promotes relaxation.

Dietary recommendations based on the teachings of Ayurveda have been observed to enhance mental clarity, focus and memory.

Alongside, Ayurvedic principles encourage emotional self-awareness too which helps manage negative or detrimental emotions.

Ayurveda recognizes each individual as a unique constitution or Dosha (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). This drives almost everything in us including behavioural patterns, and perspective. By understanding your unique constitution (Dosha), you could identify and understand the specific factors which contribute to your mental or emotional health, as well as to the physical manifestations of disorders. Ayurveda recognises that stress arises because of the imbalance in the three Doshas, and aims to bring a balance.

Ayurvedic therapies as well as diet and lifestyle recommendations are known to promote optimal health.

Ayurvedic medicines are closest to nature. They are mostly derived from herbs and in some cases, from spices hence there’s hardly any known side effects.

Ayurveda recommends a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep at the right time, to maintain physical as well as mental well-being.

Fostering understanding of the connection between the mind and the body, Ayurvedic practices are known to promote self-awareness and a sense of overall wellness.

Encouraging harmony both within as well as with the world outside, Ayurveda largely recommends a lifestyle which promotes an overall sense of peace and wellbeing.

Ayurveda at The Healers’ Clinic

Ayurveda as practiced at The Healers’ Clinic in Dubai, has an in-depth understandingof overall health conditions, mind-related disorders, diseases affecting women andchildren, as well as those related to wear and tear of the body as well as the mindwhich affects cognitive functions.

Our lead physicians come with a long and stable foundation in holistic and integrativehealthcare. They use detailed and in-depth observation to understand thepsychological, physiological as well as environmental factors that lead to any suchailments. Through systematic explorations, they go beyond symptoms and aim ataddressing the root causes behind disorders.