Balancing Mind and Body: Ayurveda for Mental Health

The journey to a balanced mind and body ends in the destination of real happiness. 

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicine system that focuses on treating and preventing illnesses while promoting overall well-being. Its holistic approach addresses not just physical symptoms but also mental, behavioural, and environmental factors. 

Our mind (manas) and body (sharira) are in constant connection with each other. Any effect on either, positive or negative, may also impact the other. A positive mindset regulates physical health by producing endorphins, enhancing immunity, and improving metabolic functions. In Ayurveda, health is believed to depend on the balance of doshas, called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and Gunas, called Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia), which together define a person’s psyche and physiological health. Imbalances in these elements are seen as the root cause of mental and physical issues. To restore balance and promote overall health, Ayurveda suggests inculcation of natural remedies and lifestyle changes. 

Did you Know? Ashwagandha capsules improve sleep quality and significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels.  

If you are relentlessly pursuing a healthy lifestyle for mental health, this blog will help you with Ayurvedic guidance for balancing mind and body. 

Have you tried Life Aveda’s Ayurvedic medicine for stress and anxiety? Find out more about the potent formulation here. 

Let’s understand mental health as explained in  Ayurveda first: 

Mental Health As Explained in Ayurveda 

Mental disorders like stress and anxiety are primarily related to an imbalance of Vara dosha and its sub-doshas, Prana Vata (life force) and Vyana Vata (circulating energy). Prana Vata sub dosha represents the life-force energy that enters the body through air, food, and water. It connects the mind, body, and spirit. When Prana Vata is disturbed, it causes a disconnection, making the mind, senses, and memory work less effectively. Originating in the heart, Vyana Vata subdosha spreads energy throughout the body, including nervous energy. When Vyana Vata is out of balance, it creates a false appearance of creativity and energy. In reality, it results in chaotic, inefficient energy flow, increasing anxiety and confusion. Vata dosha governs the mental attribute of an individual, and its imbalance leads to mental instability and stress. Overall, the resulting anxiety disrupts the body’s natural energy flow, causing disconnection and disorganization in thoughts and actions. Balancing Vata and its subdoshas is vital to restoring calmness and stability. Ayurvedic treatments work holistically to balance the doshas via herbal remedies and healthy lifestyle changes.

Ayurvedic Practices to Balance Mind and Body

Diet  

Stress that persists for longer can negatively impact fundamental bodily functions, including immune, digestive, hormonal, heart, and nervous systems. If left untreated, chronic stress can lead to anxiety and depression, which are the most common mental health issues worldwide. The usual treatment involves medications (e.g., benzodiazepines and antidepressants) and therapy (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy). However, these treatments may not always work for everyone, especially children and the elderly. Moreover, some can cause side effects. Research in nutritional psychiatry suggests a direct connection between diet and mental health. Poor diets (high in fats, sugars, and processed foods) might provide delicacy but, over time, worsen health and lead to anxiety. Diets rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and nutrients (e.g., Vitamin C, probiotics) help reduce anxiety symptoms and improve treatment outcomes. Fruits, nuts, vegetables, and whole grains support mental clarity and reduce anxiety. They are highly recommended to be added to the daily diet for long-term benefits. A healthier diet, combined with exercise and traditional treatments, can improve anxiety and depression. Specific dietary practices like caloric restriction, micronutrient supplements, and eating more whole foods have proven beneficial. Avoid the consumption of processed, sugar, and caffeine-rich foods that can induce mental exhaustion. 

Herbs and Supplements 

Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Chamomile, mint, and Shankhpushpi are considered boosters for mental health. The ayurvedic formulations of these extracts are available as stress capsules, such as Ashwagandha capsules and Brahmi capsules. They are beneficial adaptogenic herbs that help balance the doshas and make the body adapt to stress. They have antioxidant properties that lower the body’s stress response. These herbs relax the mind, promote better sleep, and increase focus and energy levels. 

Looking for a perfect Ayurvedic solution to fulfill your herbal needs? Life Aveda’s Ayurvedic medicine for stress and anxiety is the right solution for you. Try our wide range of herbal remedies that are clinically approved, 100% safe, and recommended by top Ayurvedic experts. 

Life Aveda Products 

• Premium De-Stress Capsules: This balanced herbal formulation of ashwagandha, brahmi, Jatamansi, tagar, Chamomile, and Lemon Balm supports a healthy nervous system and eases anxiety naturally.
• Premium Ashwagandha Capsules: Ashwagandha capsules that supercharge and enhance overall vitality.
• Premium Brahmi Capsules: Brahmi supports cognitive function and reduces stress and anxiety.
• Gotu Kola Capsules: Gotu Kola has all the goodness of Ayurveda, boosting memory, focus, and blood circulation and helping with natural stress management.
• Melatonin Tables: Valeriana wallichii Extract, Nardostachys jatamansi Extract, Chamomile extract, Melatonin, Vitamin B6. It helps in relieving stress and calming the mind and body.

Yoga and Meditation 

Often called a mind-body practice, Yoga enhances the communication between mind and body. Physical exercises enable your body’s regular functions to behave normally. Daily meditation and yoga practice can promote mindfulness and mental clarity. The boost of endorphins via Yoga significantly reduces mental stress and anxiety. Specific yoga postures (asanas) like Uttanasana, Balasana, Utthita Trikonasana, and breathing exercises (pranayama) have been proven to support mental health. 

Daily Routine (Dinacharya) 

Having control over your life induces psychological calming effects. This theory is proven by incorporating healthy daily routines that facilitate stress relief. A balanced daily routine has significant long-term health benefits, especially in terms of mental health and emotional stability. You can see the changes yourself by following a healthy routine. All it takes is a little bit of determination and a lot of consistency. Wake up early and do Yoga or meditation soon afterward. Follow a balanced diet plan throughout the day and maintain our sleep timings. Minimize the use of technological devices before sleeping, and try to cancel out any noise that might keep you up. Follow this simple routine for a week, and your body will automatically adapt. The key to a healthy mind is a healthy daily routine. 

Ayurvedic Therapies for Mental Health

Ayurvedic therapies detoxify the mind and body, restore balance, and promote mental well-being. 

Panchakarma

It is a comprehensive Ayurvedic detoxification therapy that involves five purification processes to cleanse the body and mind.

Detoxification Steps 

• Virechana: Uses laxatives to expel toxins from the body.
• Anuvasana Basti: Oil enema to cleanse and nourish the colon.
• Nasya: Nasal administration of medicated oils.
• Asthapana Vasti: Enema with herbal formulations to eliminate toxins.
• Vamana: Induced vomiting to clear the respiratory system.

Benefits of Panchakarma therapy

• Deep detoxification leads to mental clarity and calmness.
• Improved mood and positivity.
• Enhanced digestion, immunity, and vitality.
• Reduced lethargy, better breathing, and slowed aging.
• Increased overall physical and mental strength.

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is a calming Ayurvedic therapy in which a steady stream of warm medicated oil is poured onto a person's forehead. It specifically targets the "third eye" region. 

• Reduces mental stress and improves sleep quality.
• Lowers stress hormones like cortisol and balances the autonomic nervous system.
• Promotes a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic activity, reducing anxiety.
• Enhances heart rate variability (HRV), indicating better stress management and overall fitness.

Abhyanga

It is an Ayurvedic full-body oil massage that nourishes the body and calms the mind. Warm herbal oils are applied and massaged into the skin using gentle, rhythmic strokes. The massage typically lasts 40 minutes and can be combined with steam therapy.

• Reduces mental stress, anxiety, and blood pressure.
• Lowers cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress.
• Improves heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and overall fitness.
• Relieves musculoskeletal pain, improves body flexibility, and enhances balance.
• Promotes relaxation, better sleep, and overall well-being.

Ayurveda in Modern Mental Health Treatment

Ayurveda can be integrated into modern mental health treatments by offering natural, personalized, and holistic approaches. It complements medical treatments by addressing mental well-being at a deeper level, promoting balance, and supporting physical health, leading to comprehensive mental wellness. 

Embrace Ayurveda For Mental Health 

Mental health is an umbrella term that encompasses several aspects of psychological, cognitive, mental, and behavioural health. However, its connection with bodily functions cannot be denied. A troubled mental state also affects overall health, and thus, it is crucial to look for a holistic approach to restore balance. Ayurveda has the answer in the form of a comprehensive system that includes diet, herbal formulations, rejuvenating yoga practice, cognitive therapies, and, most importantly,  a healthy lifestyle. Adding these healthy changes to standard treatments can significantly improve mental health outcomes, with the added benefits of being cost-effective and beneficial for overall health. 

Life Aveda offers an ideal Ayurvedic medicine for stress and anxiety, with a perfect balance of mental capacity-enhancing herbal formulations. Check out our mental health-supportive product range today. 

Incorporate Ayurveda into daily life for long-term benefits from stress and anxiety.