The power of the Ayurvedic approach is in its simplicity. The advice can be deceptively simple, but remarkably powerful.
Any one of the following tips, practiced for a few days consistently, usually yields some results. Together, these lifestyle adjustments form a powerful package of support for emotional balance.
1. Consistently go to bed before 10:00 p.m.
Earlier is even better. Getting enough rest is essential for emotional health, and falling asleep during the Kapha time of night generates a deep, restful sleep that truly refreshes mind and body. This allows you to use the sleepy, heavier Kapha time of night to help you fall asleep faster.
2. Wake up with the rising sun
Waking up early is important to emotional health, because sleeping into Kapha time, which begins at 6:00 a.m., can cause a buildup of ama (toxins). This in turn affects the shrotas, or channels of communication, possibly clogging them, which can create dullness of mind and low moods.
3. Walk outdoors while breathing deeply
The ideal time to do this is when the sun is rising. Daily exercise is essential to combat low moods, because exercise helps move blocked emotions and hormones out of the body.
It increases the power of agni (literally “digestive fire” which, in this sense, “cooks” emotions) and helps improve one’s ability to process emotions. Exercise also releases positive neurohormones, elevating your mood. The early morning sun adds an extra boost, because you become infused with the positive energy of the sun when it is most beneficial for all body types.
4. Daily elimination
Occasional constipation can cause headache, dullness, fatigue and low moods. Taking Triphala, available in Organic Digest Tone (Triphala Plus), is a great way to help with regularity.
If your elimination is sluggish or blocked, start your day with cooked apples, prunes and figs. Take two Herbal Cleanse capsules at night before bed. Drink water throughout the day. Eat at the same time each day, with the main meal at noon and a lighter meal in the evening.
5. Eat intelligent foods
Foods that are organic, natural and unprocessed contain more of nature’s intelligence. They are digested quickly by the body and create ojas. Ojas is the by-product of good digestion that creates bliss, stable emotions and good health in the body. Intelligent foods include:
- Organic milk
- Cloves
- Walnuts
- Pears
- Coconut
- Proteins such as soaked seeds and nuts with raisins and dates
- Panir (fresh cheese)
Buttermilk or lassi (rather than yogurt), as these lighter drinks do not increase Kapha and are better for lightening emotions
6. Give yourself a daily abhyanga (Ayurvedic oil massage)
Massage increases circulation, clears toxins from the tissues, invigorates the body, calms the mind and soothes the emotions. It is balancing to Vata dosha and, because of this, it calms anxious feelings and stress. For your massage, use our Youthful Skin Massage Oils for Men and Women. Follow your massage with a warm bath to flush out the toxins that have been pushed out from the cells with the massage.
7. Do moderate exercise such as yoga asanas
Yoga enhances digestion and stimulates the Sadhaka Agni, which cleanses toxins from the channels and cells of the body, improving overall balance and health. This is a time-tested tool for clearing away the toxins that lead to low moods.
8. Take Maharishi Ayurveda rasayanas
Rasayanas are traditional formulations for bliss and rejuvenation. In Ayurveda they are considered the cream of the herbal kingdom, prepared according to traditional methods that take weeks. Maharishi Amrit Kalashis considered the most powerful of all the Rasayanas, supporting bliss, contentment, and wellness.
9. Try traditional Ayurvedic herbs for calmness and happiness
Our favorites include:
- Stress Free Emotions: This formula promotes self-confidence, positive thinking and feelings of fulfillment by balancing the subdosha of Pitta that governs emotional health (Sadhaka Pitta). Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Mica Bhasma, Pearl Bhasma and Holy Basil in this potent new formula promote coordination of mind and emotions.
- Worry Free: This combination of herbs helps you step up to the challenge of modern life. It simultaneously calms the nervous system (soothing to Vata dosha) while supporting mental acuity. It helps you cope with situations that used to cause a meltdown. It changes the automatic and immediate emotional reaction you have to stress.
- Blissful Heart Aroma Oil: This Ayurvedic aroma helps soothe the mind and emotions. It is often used and recommended at those times when one is feeling low or when happiness feels elusive. This traditional blend that includes Sandalwood, Peppermint, Lemon and Thyme will help wake you up to the joy of life again. This formula is balancing to all three doshas.
- Worry Free Aroma Oil: This therapeutic aroma oil blend calms Vata dosha. It includes oils of Patchouli, Lemon and Jasmine. It helps the mind and body unwind to create a personal oasis of calm.
- Slumber Time Aroma: Ayurveda considers sleep an essential resource for creating balance. This is because it both purifies and balances mind and body. The oils in this Ayurvedic blend pacify Vata dosha and help reconnect your mind and body, lift your spirits and raise your sense of harmony and well-being naturally.
- Deep Rest: The herbs in this formulation support sleeping deeply through the night, especially for those who have difficulty staying asleep, waking up in the middle of the night. It balances Vata and Pitta and is slightly calming to Kapha dosha. It also helps those who have difficulty falling asleep and awaken early in the morning after less than six hours of sleep.
- Blissful Sleep: The herbs in Blissful Sleep are calming to Vata and Pitta doshas. The formula produces a calming, balancing effect on the body, mind and emotions. You’ll find sleep becoming deeper and more restful.
- Slumber Time Tea: The herbs in this tea help relax the mind-body connection for a better quality of sleep (Vata dosha). The herbs include Bacopa Monnieri, which helps balance the mind; Winter Cherry (Ashwagandha), which helps stabilize the mind and emotions; and cardamom, licorice root, and spearmint.
- Blissful Joy: Excellent support for emotional balance. This combination supports Prana Vata, which governs energy, creativity, perception, growth of consciousness and self-realization. Blissful Joy supports Sadhaka Pitta, which is responsible for balanced emotions, self-confidence, healthy desires, motivation and a feeling of fulfillment.
- Organic Rose Petal Spread: Ayurveda uses certain foods to help restore balance. The rose is one of them. According to Ayurvedic wisdom, the rose has a cooling and balancing effect on Pitta dosha, which governs your mind, body and emotions. This is a delicious Ayurvedic jam, made from organic roses, with an exquisite aroma and subtle flavor.
- Organic Rose Water: This water contains the classic fragrance of the rose. No synthetic chemical fragrances are used. Maharishi Ayurveda Organic Rose Water is made by distilling thousands of organic rose petals from Bulgaria. The aroma is memorable, genuine and soothing to Pitta dosha. This floral water is a traditional Ayurvedic formula for cooling, moisturizing and soothing the skin and moods. It’s especially enjoyable in the hotter summer months.
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