If you can relate to any of the following scenarios, you’re in the right place – I’ve got you.
You’ve been pouring your effort, love, and care into everyone else’s needs—except your own.
You find yourself more impatient, irritable, sad, or frustrated.
Despite your best efforts to keep your energy levels high, you’re running on empty.
Your mood is low, and physically, you feel drained.
You eagerly await your evening glass of wine, just to feel some form of relaxation and ease.
It feels like you’re on a hamster wheel, unable to hop off.
Stress: the silent saboteur that can wreak havoc on our health without us even realizing it.
From stubborn belly fat and snapping at our loved ones to feeling fatigued, unmotivated, and aging more quickly, stress shows its ugly face in various forms.
Let’s explore how stress creates imbalances and disease, and three practical Ayurvedic tips to help manage it.
The Hidden Dangers of Stress
When we experience stress, our bodies release cortisol and other stress hormones. While these hormones are crucial for immediate survival, chronic stress keeps them elevated, leading to various health issues:
- Stubborn Belly Fat: Elevated cortisol levels can lead to an increase in abdominal fat, which is not just a cosmetic concern but also a risk factor for several chronic diseases.
- Snapping at Loved Ones: Stress can make us irritable and quick to anger, straining our relationships and causing emotional distress.
- Fatigue and Lack of Motivation: Constant stress drains our energy, making us feel perpetually tired and unmotivated.
- Accelerated Aging: Chronic stress can accelerate the aging process, leading to wrinkles, grey hair, and a general feeling of aging faster than we should.
- Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: Hormonal imbalances caused by stress can lead to symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, further disrupting our sleep and overall well-being.
Ayurvedic Solutions for Stress Management
Luckily, Ayurveda offers simple and practical solutions to manage and lower stress, helping us feel better in our bodies and minds.
1. Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)
One of the most effective ways to reduce stress is through pranayama, or controlled breathing exercises. A simple practice like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) can calm the mind and balance the nervous system. Try this:
- Sit comfortably with your spine straight.
- Close your right nostril with your right thumb, inhale deeply through your left nostril.
- Close your left nostril with your ring finger, release your right nostril, and exhale through it.
- Inhale through your right nostril, close it, release your left nostril, and exhale through it.
- Repeat for 5-10 minutes daily.
2. Abhyanga (Self-Massage)
Abhyanga is a soothing self-massage using warm, dosha-specific oil. This practice calms the nervous system, improves circulation, and releases accumulated stress. It’s particularly beneficial for Vata dosha but can help all doshas find balance.
- Warm some sesame oil (for Vata), coconut oil (for Pitta), or mustard oil (for Kapha) in a warm water bath.
- Sit on a towel. (YOU CANNOT SKIP THIS STEP)
- Massage your entire body with the oil using long strokes on the limbs and circular motions on the joints.
- Let the oil sit for 15-20 minutes before showering.
Disclaimer: If you love the idea of an oil massage but cringe at the thought of not having enough time (yes, I admit, I’m guilty too), don’t worry. You can still do the oil massage and shower or bathe right after. You’ll still reap some benefits and feel much better than if you hadn’t given yourself any time at all. Don’t fall into the perfection trap.
3. Sipping Hot Water or Golden Milk
Sipping hot water throughout the day can help cleanse the digestive system and keep you hydrated without the added stress of cold drinks.
- Hot Water: Simply sip warm water throughout the day to stay hydrated and calm your digestive system.
Alternatively, golden milk is a soothing and nourishing drink that can promote relaxation and well-being.
- Golden Milk: Warm a cup of almond or coconut milk. Add a teaspoon of turmeric, a pinch of black pepper, and a dash of cardamom. Mix in one or two dates and a bit of ghee. Stir well, and voilà—your glow-up journey is in full swing, tasting delicious. Enjoy its calming benefits!
Which SOS-stress practice calls your name?
Here’s the deal: you can only choose one of the three. This will ensure you are not overwhelming yourself and taking on more than you can handle (given your stressed-out situation).
By incorporating one of these simple Ayurvedic practices into your daily routine, you can lower your perceived level of stress, balance your mind and body, and reclaim your vitality.
Remember, self-care is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
