07: Ayurveda and the Mind 1: Anxiety and Depression
Today, I address your questions about anxiety and depression.
I am excited to explore this important and extensive topic, as Ayurveda offers a nuanced and refined perspective on mental wellness.
In this discussion, I share practical and helpful strategies to guide you in considering and managing the mental landscape. You will definitely not want to miss it, so stay tuned for more!
Understanding Doshas in Ayurveda
The ancient system of Ayurveda offers us a language and framework to understand mental states like anxiety and depression. It views the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, as the underlying factors causing disease. So, whenever there is a disturbance in the body or mind, one of those doshas, or troublemakers, is at fault. Identifying which dosha is out of balance provides a pathway for us to heal.
The Doshas of the Mind
Ayurveda introduces three mental doshas: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas.
Sattva: The Energy of Balance
Sattva represents a clear, calm, and peaceful mind that can perceive reality as it is. Even though Rajas and Tamas often get less attention, they are crucial in understanding mental disturbances. Rajas is associated with excessive activity and stimulation, leading to anxiety, while Tamas relates to sluggishness and stagnation, potentially leading to depression.
Rajas: The Energy of Stimulation
Rajas characterizes movement, passion, and a craving for stimulation. In a world that values productivity and constant activity, Rajas often dominates, pushing the mind and body into states of overactivity. It can manifest as racing thoughts, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping.
Tamas: The Energy of Inertia
Tamas is the energy of inertia. It is associated with slowness, dullness, and lethargy. It pulls the mind into a state of inactivity and disengagement. When Tamas dominates, it can lead to procrastination, brain fog, and a general sense of heaviness or low energy, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming and adding to feelings of depression.
The Balance of Mental Energies
The interplay of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas creates the natural rhythms of the mind and body. Just as the day progresses from the calm of morning (Sattva) to the activity of midday (Rajas) and the slowing down of evening (Tamas), these energies should balance each other out. When there are imbalances, however, Rajas or Tamas dominate, disrupting the harmony and leading to mental and physical disturbances. Understanding these energies allows us to manage our mental health and achieve balance.
Stuckness and Physical Inactivity
Stuckness, or Tamas, often arises from physical inactivity, leading to heaviness and sluggishness. That state can follow periods of anxiety and overstimulation as the body seeks to balance itself. Movement is crucial for breaking free from inertia. Even a little physical activity can lift us out of a tamasic state.
Anxiety Leading to Depression
Anxiety, especially when prolonged, can lead to depression. Many people live in a constant state of overstimulation and busyness, which can exhaust the mind and body, eventually causing a shift from anxiety (rajasic state) to dullness or depression (tamasic state).
Awareness and Language
It is essential to be mindful of how we discuss mental health. Instead of immediately labeling mental states and categorizing them as disorders, we should recognize the natural ebb and flow of the mind. Using language that reflects that understanding can shift our perspective, leading to a more compassionate view of mental health.
Movement as a Remedy
An effective way to combat the feelings of heaviness and lethargy of the tamasic state is through physical movement. Even simple activities can help break through that fog and uplift your mood.
Medicine for the Mind
Nature is a powerful remedy for mental imbalances. Connecting with animals, plants, and natural surroundings can ground the mind, helping us find stability and truth amidst the mental noise often arising from rajasic (overactive) or tamasic (inert) states.
The Mind
The mind naturally tends to create stories and delusions, distorting reality. Recognizing that aspect of the pathology of the mind can help us navigate our thoughts more effectively and bring us closer to our natural state.
Pause, Movement, and Nature
Try incorporating these simple practices to enhance your mental well-being and maintain a balanced state:
Take pauses to slow down a racing mind
Engage in physical movement to break through inertia and improve your mood
Connect with natural elements by spending time in nature or eating natural foods to cultivate a balanced mental state.
