Discovering how ancient wisdom aligns our inner and outer worlds for optimal health
Imagine a world where your ideas, emotions, and physical health are all in sync. This is the essence of Ayurveda, an Indian subcontinent-based discipline dating back 5,000 years. Unlike contemporary medicine, which divides the mind and body, Ayurveda views health as a balance of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Let’s look at how this old method promotes such peace.
Credit: @dralkavijayan.ayurveda
In Ayurveda, life is supported by three energies known as doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas impact our bodily processes, emotions, and mental states.
Vata (Air and ether): Represents creativity and mobility. Balancing promotes clarity and energy, while imbalance can cause worry and restlessness.
Pitta (Fire and water): The spirit of transformation that drives intelligence and ambition. Pitta in balance encourages attention, but excess can create irritation and digestion difficulties.
Kapha (Earth and water): Promotes stability and emotional resilience. When in accord, it promotes relaxation; nevertheless, too much can lead to sluggishness.
The idea is to balance these doshas for a healthy body and a peaceful mind.
Credit: The Divine Tree
In Ayurveda, the mind is considered an extension of the body, with mental health disorders attributed to dosha imbalances. Stress can produce headaches, while anxiety can impair digestion. The Triguna hypothesis provides more insight:
Sattva (Purity): Represents knowledge and calm, which helps to dispel mental confusion.
Rajas (Activity): Required for ambition but can cause agitation if excessive.
Tamas (Inertia): Provides repose when balanced but induces lethargy when overused.
The objective is to nurture Sattva while efficiently regulating Rajas and Tamas.
Balancing the mind-body link is an ongoing process rather than a one-time cure. Ayurveda provides a wealth of answers, from food to herbal therapies.
Credit: @VeggiePaaji
Food is more than simply a source of nutrition; it also serves as therapeutic. Ayurveda suggests a Sattvic diet that consists of fresh, natural, and unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. This fosters clarity and tranquillity. Overly hot (Rajasic) or stale, processed (Tamasic) meals, on the other hand, disrupt the doshic balance and undermine mental peace.
Ayurveda has traditionally used herbs to relax, revitalise, and sharpen the intellect.
Brahmi promotes attention and memory.
Ashwagandha calms nerves and alleviates anxiety.
Gotu Kola helps restore equilibrium, especially when anger or overthinking takes over.
Credit: @Anahata_organic
The principle of dinacharya, or daily routine, is Ayurveda’s method of synchronising your internal clock.
Rise early to ground Vata.
Eat meals at regular intervals to avoid Pitta flare-ups.
Relax in the evening to keep Kapha regulated.
These behaviours may appear easy, yet they have a significant impact on both mental and physical health.
Credit: @ayurvedaawareness
Ayurveda emphasises that genuine health is based on balance. This ancient approach improves long-term well-being by treating the underlying causes of problems such as a hot temper or worry.
It harmonises the mind, body, and spirit via mindful nutrition, daily routines, herbal support, and mental practices. Rediscovering age-old knowledge might help us better comprehend our physical and psychological wellness in today’s fast-paced world.
