Ayurveda emphasises the importance of digestion to maintain and return to a balanced state of health. When you experience unhealthy digestive processes, this results in toxins in the colon which, if unremedied for too long, can result in a range of health conditions and ailments.
Kapha type depression is considered to stem from the stomach which then lies in the nervous system subsequently affecting the nervous system and mental functioning. Therefore, following a kapha pacifying diet is a good first step (the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online can help you understand the principles of Ayurveda).
With this type of depression we feel a sense of heaviness, mentally. It is understandable therefore, that sleeping too much, regularly feeling drowsy, weight gain, lethargy and generally just not feeling great about yourself are the symptoms on this type of depression. Kapha is the dosha (energy) associated with the concepts of heaviness, solidity and fluids. Too much sleep also encourages depression, especially regularly sleeping during daytime hours. Awakening earlier too will help you sleep better at night as you are living more in line with the natural phenomena around us. Surprisingly, getting up earlier also gives you more energy and avoids that slump in the afternoon making you more productive and benefitting from a full day!
As with all Ayurvedic remedies, there are very specialist Ayurvedic herbs that can be used as well as commonly found or purchased spices or herbs, in addition to small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. You are welcome to ask about these and where to find them. Each tiny step you take becomes one more step until you arrive at your destination. Nothing happens overnight so don't put pressure on yourself or be self-critical: if you don't manage something on a given day or morning, for instance, it's fine!
Managing some symptoms
To lighten the "heaviness" of kapha depression, undertaking a fast, consuming apple juice. Be sure this is something you are confident to do although if you have other existing underlying health conditions, please consult your doctor before attempting this. Pregnant and lactating women should not fast. A further simple remedy is to try drinking a half to one teaspoon of ginger powder mixed/steeped in hot water twice daily. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this.
Natural nose drops are a fairly common practice for some conditions in Ayurveda including ghee oil for anxiety, sesame oil to lubricate sinus passages etc and, as a support for kapha type depression and other kapha type symptoms. Plain ghee oil can also be helpful and helps with anxiety symptoms. You are welcome to contact me to ask about doing this.
Lifestyle/Other
A general and commonly recommended aid is to be a little more physically active. This may be simply making time for a short walk but doing so more regularly than you would do normally. Such physical action counters the lethargy and heaviness produced by excess kapha in the system. Never force yourself or exert yourself with exercise; more time recovering from an activity rather than experiencing a sense of benefit and/or achievement from it is not helpful to the purpose of the activity!
Some yoga positions (asanas) are also advised. If you have never done yoga or feel it might not be your thing, bear in mind, true yoga is not about exercise per se or "weird" stretching; it is about connecting with yourself and the natural environment around you. Some yoga postures are highly complex and require a great deal of skill and tuition. This is not what you are encouraged to do here unless you have such experience. Two simple positions to alleviate excess kapha symptoms are Vajrasana (sitting on the heels) and the Sun Salutation. Again, you are welcome to get in touch to ask advice on these.
Taking time, even 10 - 15 minutes a day (ideally twice a day) to just be still, sit quietly and simply breathe slowly and steadily is helpful to every one of us. So few people take real time for themselves, refusing to stop, convincing themselves they "have to" be "doing". The Breathing and Other Self-Help mini-course has very useful techniques for those who are new to this. However, there is a particular breathing activity that is referred to as healing for this depression. Its name is ujjayi pranayama. The short video below describes how to do this, however, there are minor variants on this. If you would like to know more, please contact me.
Where other symptoms are sometimes experienced, the Rethinking Responses mini course can be helpful in overcoming negative thought patterns, trauma, anxiety or stress triggers.This and other courses are available online so can be taken wherever and whenever you like. However, if you would like support for any ailments or concerns that arise, you can find out more on my main Therapy website where you can also access some free mental health resources.
In Ayurvedic therapy, digestion, food choices and habits are very important and it looks at the effects of different foods on the body, not just the mineral, protein, vitamin etc content.
Therefore, avoiding some foodstuffs could help reduce some symptoms, if you eat many of these. These are avocado, watermelon, plums, apricots, wheat, brown rice, mushrooms, garlic, onion and pumpkin. Bean types to try avoiding are urad dhal (black lentils), black beans and pinto beans. Dairy produce is renowned for its "heavy" quality and is therefore unhelpful so I would suggest avoiding hard, mature cheeses. Beef, lamb and pork are also advised against. Avoiding these or at least reducing their consumption can also help with mental clarity.
I hope you will find some of this guidance helpful. Thank you for taking the quiz.
Kapha type depression is considered to stem from the stomach which then lies in the nervous system subsequently affecting the nervous system and mental functioning. Therefore, following a kapha pacifying diet is a good first step (the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online can help you understand the principles of Ayurveda).
With this type of depression we feel a sense of heaviness, mentally. It is understandable therefore, that sleeping too much, regularly feeling drowsy, weight gain, lethargy and generally just not feeling great about yourself are the symptoms on this type of depression. Kapha is the dosha (energy) associated with the concepts of heaviness, solidity and fluids. Too much sleep also encourages depression, especially regularly sleeping during daytime hours. Awakening earlier too will help you sleep better at night as you are living more in line with the natural phenomena around us. Surprisingly, getting up earlier also gives you more energy and avoids that slump in the afternoon making you more productive and benefitting from a full day!
As with all Ayurvedic remedies, there are very specialist Ayurvedic herbs that can be used as well as commonly found or purchased spices or herbs, in addition to small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. You are welcome to ask about these and where to find them. Each tiny step you take becomes one more step until you arrive at your destination. Nothing happens overnight so don't put pressure on yourself or be self-critical: if you don't manage something on a given day or morning, for instance, it's fine!
Managing some symptoms
To lighten the "heaviness" of kapha depression, undertaking a fast, consuming apple juice. Be sure this is something you are confident to do although if you have other existing underlying health conditions, please consult your doctor before attempting this. Pregnant and lactating women should not fast. A further simple remedy is to try drinking a half to one teaspoon of ginger powder mixed/steeped in hot water twice daily. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this.
Natural nose drops are a fairly common practice for some conditions in Ayurveda including ghee oil for anxiety, sesame oil to lubricate sinus passages etc and, as a support for kapha type depression and other kapha type symptoms. Plain ghee oil can also be helpful and helps with anxiety symptoms. You are welcome to contact me to ask about doing this.
Lifestyle/Other
A general and commonly recommended aid is to be a little more physically active. This may be simply making time for a short walk but doing so more regularly than you would do normally. Such physical action counters the lethargy and heaviness produced by excess kapha in the system. Never force yourself or exert yourself with exercise; more time recovering from an activity rather than experiencing a sense of benefit and/or achievement from it is not helpful to the purpose of the activity!
Some yoga positions (asanas) are also advised. If you have never done yoga or feel it might not be your thing, bear in mind, true yoga is not about exercise per se or "weird" stretching; it is about connecting with yourself and the natural environment around you. Some yoga postures are highly complex and require a great deal of skill and tuition. This is not what you are encouraged to do here unless you have such experience. Two simple positions to alleviate excess kapha symptoms are Vajrasana (sitting on the heels) and the Sun Salutation. Again, you are welcome to get in touch to ask advice on these.
Taking time, even 10 - 15 minutes a day (ideally twice a day) to just be still, sit quietly and simply breathe slowly and steadily is helpful to every one of us. So few people take real time for themselves, refusing to stop, convincing themselves they "have to" be "doing". The Breathing and Other Self-Help mini-course has very useful techniques for those who are new to this. However, there is a particular breathing activity that is referred to as healing for this depression. Its name is ujjayi pranayama. The short video below describes how to do this, however, there are minor variants on this. If you would like to know more, please contact me.
Where other symptoms are sometimes experienced, the Rethinking Responses mini course can be helpful in overcoming negative thought patterns, trauma, anxiety or stress triggers.This and other courses are available online so can be taken wherever and whenever you like. However, if you would like support for any ailments or concerns that arise, you can find out more on my main Therapy website where you can also access some free mental health resources.
In Ayurvedic therapy, digestion, food choices and habits are very important and it looks at the effects of different foods on the body, not just the mineral, protein, vitamin etc content.
Therefore, avoiding some foodstuffs could help reduce some symptoms, if you eat many of these. These are avocado, watermelon, plums, apricots, wheat, brown rice, mushrooms, garlic, onion and pumpkin. Bean types to try avoiding are urad dhal (black lentils), black beans and pinto beans. Dairy produce is renowned for its "heavy" quality and is therefore unhelpful so I would suggest avoiding hard, mature cheeses. Beef, lamb and pork are also advised against. Avoiding these or at least reducing their consumption can also help with mental clarity.
I hope you will find some of this guidance helpful. Thank you for taking the quiz.
