What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, which translates from Sanskrit to mean “knowledge of life” or “science of life,” is one of the oldest holistic medical systems in existence. It was created in India around 5,000 years ago.
The foundation of Ayurveda is the idea that mental, physical, spiritual, and environmental balances are all important for overall health and well-being. Promoting health and preventing illness rather than treating it is the primary objective of ayurvedic medicine. However, therapies might be tailored to address certain medical issues.
From the standpoint of Ayurveda, this is not surprising since our society systems, as a people, and as individuals, have moved further away from Swastha, or the natural way of life, which is how consciousness intended us to live in order to be in harmony with Nature and, consequently, to live in harmony, health, vitality, and joy.
What is mental health?
Our psychological, social, and emotional well-being are all parts of our mental health. It influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It also influences our ability to manage stress, interact with others, and make wise decisions. From infancy and youth to maturity, mental health is crucial at every stage of life.
Why is mental health important for overall health?
Our psychological, social, and emotional well-being are all parts of our mental health. It influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It also influences our ability to manage stress, interact with others, and make wise decisions. From infancy and youth to maturity, mental health is crucial at every stage of life.
A person in good mental health has the ideal integration of social, psychological, and emotional facets of their life. Adverse childhood experiences can cause mental trauma or some sort of medical sickness if they are experienced repeatedly and carried into adulthood. When a person is in good mental, physical, and spiritual balance, they are considered emotionally and physically fit. Let’s read the article in its whole to see how Ayurveda promotes mental wellness.
The ancient discipline of Ayurveda demonstrates the long-term resolution of unresolved mental trauma situations by revitalizing an individual’s physical and psychological aspects. Ayurveda uses herbal remedies and lifestyle changes to highlight its organic method of controlling emotional conduct.
The Mind: According to Ayurveda
The soul and the senses are said to be launched from the intellect. It is a remarkable organ that regulates the body’s functional and sensory processes. Every emotion in life, including happiness, fear, rage, humiliation, contempt, disgust, guilt, anguish, curiosity, surprise, and delight, is correlated with it due to its special qualities.
A person’s character is influenced by three traits found in their mind: sattva, rajas, and tamas. A dynamic imbalance of doshas and an erratic ratio of these attributes could throw off the mental equilibrium. By utilizing a natural approach to combat harmful forces, Marma Training in Kerala enhances quality of life by alleviating sleeplessness, gastrointestinal problems, and mood fluctuations.
RETURN TO SATTVA
Sattva can refer to harmony, truth, or purity. Among the three Maha Gunah (great characteristics) that characterize the entirety of existence are Rajas and Tamas, along with sattva. Sattva is the actual stillness of consciousness, which translates to mean that even though we appear to be unique individuals, there is a wonderful balance inside the essence of who we are. Sattva means eternal harmony. One can exist in the world with knowledge, intellect, love, happiness, compassion, joy, emotional stability, and a healthy detachment from results when they live from an inner Sattva state.
We are acting from Avidya, ignorance or darkness, when we live from the antithesis of Sattva, the characteristic of Tamas. We get deeply connected to mentally projected results and confined to the endless swings of this life and mind when we are blind to the truth of who we are and are solely focused on and believe in the exterior, material world. Tamas is also associated with weight, dullness, and inertia—qualities that we have seen increasing quickly in the period of isolation and detachment brought on by lockdowns. Brain fog, poor memory, dishonesty, rigid thinking, apathy, ignorance, sadness, self-indulgence, selfishness, and other symptoms are all signs of a tamasic mental state. It is impossible to be physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually well while living in Tamas.
The term Rajas, which denotes excitement, desire, or passion, rests between these two phases. When it expresses itself in a healthy way, Rajas, the stimulating force that evokes passion, desire, excitement, and activity, is essential for both surviving in the world and completing tasks. But when we don’t have a solid Sattva anchor, living from a Rajas state can cause our emotions, passions, and actions to become hyperactive. Rajasic people thrive on hyperstimulation and need increasing amounts of activities to feel good about themselves. From a mental health perspective, these imbalances can manifest as aggressiveness, intense attachment, control, power-hunger, jealousy, recklessness, and more. They can also manifest as insomnia, addictions, hyperactivity, adrenaline and/or drama addiction, and more.
Based on this insight, we must plan to live from a recognition of the inherent Sattva inside us and resolve to living as manifestations of that inner harmony and tranquility for our own mental health. Fortunately, we may modify the expression of the Tri-Gunas inside us. This means that even if we have lived for a long time in Rajas or Tamas, we can change moment by moment by practicing and engaging in Sankalpa (holy intention).
HOW TO REMEMBER SATTVA?
DIET
1. EAT SATTVICALLY!
Aim for a plant-based or vegetarian diet that values entire, cooked foods and meals that are comprised of natural components that are lovingly and appreciatively prepared and devoured. Cook with thankfulness in your heart, and share and eat. Eat foods that feel and are easy to digest to safeguard and enhance Agni’s balance—the healing fire of our digestive tract is the source of most sickness and may be used to treat it.
LIFESTYLE
1. MEDITATE
Almost everyone at RASA Ayurveda, regardless of their condition, benefits from meditation. Over the years, we have seen incredible changes in our own bodies’ mental and physical health as well as that of our clients’ and customers’. The parasympathetic state of rest and relaxation replaces the sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) in the brain of the meditator through a rewiring process. It is an exercise in feeling, being present with, and showing kindness and compassion to all that comes up in the body and mind. So many trapped energies can receive the attention they were looking for in this loving and open embrace, and either resolve themselves or at least lessen in intensity. Additionally, meditation helps us to feel Sattva as our truth and our inherent nature. This allows us to live more naturally from Sattva rather of feeling like we have to force ourselves to do so.
- SERVICE
Serving others, even in tiny ways, is a deep practice of Karma Yoga, or selfless service. Every day, try to improve the lives of others by showing kindness and compassion. Serving others is an acknowledgment and reflection of our common humanity—that is, our shared expression of Sattva. As the ultimate therapeutic salve, helping others can alleviate stress, break down inflexible judgments and belief systems, and build genuine connection.
- It’s been suggested that our everyday routines shape who we are. This is acknowledged by Ayurveda, which is why following the Dinacharya (daily routine) and Ritucharya (seasonal) regimens is highly recommended. Our Sattvic nature emerges when our daily and seasonal routines regularly balance the Doshas and rid the body of Ama. By following these patterns, we make sure we stay in sync with the cycles of the day, the seasons, and ultimately, the natural world.
4. PRIORITIZE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION & RELATIONSHIP
Every aspect of life is a connection, according to Ayurveda. Everything in the universe is related to and depends upon everything else. Nothing lives in isolation, which is why we observe the imbalance and illness that come from a disconnected life, excessive independence (which is strongly encouraged by our individualistic culture), and a lack of understanding of the natural law of connectedness. Simply put, it is not in our biological or spiritual makeup for us to exist in isolation from one another, from spirit, or from ourselves. A profound, steady, and trustworthy connection is the medicine that can provide balance to a great deal of mental illnesses.
HERBS
1. BRAHMI
The best tonic for the nervous system and brain is brahmi. Its foliage even resembles the human brain! Brahmi also decalcifies the pineal gland and harmonizes the brain’s left and right hemispheres. Although it is tridoshic, it is particularly helpful in balancing elevated Pitta situations. Toxins and obstructions in the neurological system are eliminated by brahmi. It boosts intelligence, helps with depression, and helps with focus and memory. Brahmi strengthens the body’s general cellular intelligence. It’s also very beneficial for hair growth! Consume Brahmi each morning to revitalize your body and mind. It can be boiled in milk, boiled in water (as a tea), or used to produce Brahmi ghee. Additionally, it can be applied to the hair as a medicinal oil, and the nutrients will seep into the brain cells via the crown chakra.
2. ASHWAGANDHA
Ashwagandha, one of the finest anti-aging herbs, is also known to improve vigor and be one of the top mental rejuvenators. This herb, which supports and strengthens the neurological system, is especially important for people who are overworked or under a lot of stress. Take half a teaspoon boiled in milk, then use one tablespoon raw honey to sweeten. Remember that Ayurvedic medicines can penetrate deeper into tissues and cells when taken with a healthy fat (such butter, ghee, or raw whole milk) since they are fat soluble. Our Adapt-to-Life Potion, a herbal supplement that many of our clients swear by to keep them balanced and level-headed under extreme stress, also contains ashwagandha.
The purpose of life is to be lived, enjoyed, and even elevated, and Ayurveda genuinely demonstrates to us that this is not only feasible but also provides us with the knowledge and skills necessary for true happiness and tranquility to become our lived reality and resilience—our trustworthy companion throughout trying times. Start putting some of these suggestions into practice, and you will see a gradual (or sometimes quite rapid, depending on the individual) shift in your external experience of life as your interior condition naturally aspires to Sattva.
