Melt Away Your Stress

Start your day with a relaxing routine.

One of the best stress management tips with an Ayurvedic approach is to establish a daily routine (dincharya). Time management and knowing how your day is structured will help pacify the nervy Vata energies.

Massage away your stress.

Abhyanga is a method of strengthening self-care. It is one of the best ways to beat stress holistically. While a full-body massage might not always be possible, massage the places where stress usually accumulates: your hands, feet and neck. Use a light, aromatic oil like lemongrass or eucalyptus oil to scour sluggishness away and feel bright and alert. Otherwise, just use sesame oil to soothe signs of tension.

Meditate to melt stress.

Dedicate 15 minutes daily to meditation to calm and center yourself. The Transcendental Meditation program is known to be one of the most powerful stress management techniques. Generally, meditation brings down the levels of cortisol and lactic acid, which are indicators of anxiety. It also enhances the amount of serotonin, the happy hormone.

Listen to the notes of serenity.

Music has a great effect on the nervous system. It can calm the mind and ease emotional turmoil for a holistic therapeutic effect. The vibrational healing power of serene, soothing musical tones can help attune your personal energies to peaceful bliss. Listen to meditational music like those containing toning and chanting, singing and crystal bowls, or instruments, such as guitar, kalimba, native flute and drums.

Seek the help of herbs.

Time-tested herbal remedies for stress include brahmi, mandukparni (Gotu Kola) and ashwagandha. Besides these Ayurvedic herbs for stress relief, you can make yourself a potent brew with Vata-balancing spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and licorice. Immerse yourself in the calm zone with a hot cuppa thrice a day.

Get moving to stay motivated during mood swings.

Exercise should be at the top of nurturing things to do for yourself. It supports the body’s natural mechanisms for deep sleep, shakes up stagnant mental and emotional energy, improves digestion and drives detoxification by kindling the metabolic fire (agni).

Yoga is highly recommended on your anti-stress checklist. Put your mind into a state of childlike joy with yoga poses for stress relief like the Child Pose (Balasana). Awaken your senses to delight with the Down Dog (Adho Mukha Savasana).