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.
Vata type depression is considered to stem from the colon which then lies in the nervous system subsequently affecting the nervous system and mental functioning. Therefore, following a vata pacifying diet is a good first step (the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online can help you understand the principles of Ayurveda).
Insomnia, agitation, anxiety, nervousness and disturbed sleep patterns are generally associated with vata type depression. As with all Ayurvedic remedies, there are very specialist Ayurvedic herbs that can be used as well as commonly found or purchased remedies, in addition to small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. 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
If you consider yourself not a tea drinker, don't think of these as "teas". They are remedies to help you. People often consider medicines horrible to consume but know they must and they do so. Camomile tea is excellent to take for calming anxiety like symptoms and can be bought on most High Streets. A very good blend for anxiety symptoms is Holy Basil. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend a blend of Holy Basil and Sage but Holy Basil alone is very effective. Other recommended blends of vata pacifying tea can be calming and uplifting and can be ordered in the UK - just ask if you would like details.
Sesame oil is a revered oil in Ayurveda and recommended in various manners for many purposes. This is not the sesame oil you buy on the supeermarket shelf that is roasted but cold-pressed raw sesame oil which can be purchased in larger quantities for everyday use.
Warmed sesame oil taken as nose drops in the morning and evening before food are an aid to alleviating depression. Warm ghee oil can also be helpful for symptoms of anxiety. Rubbing sesame oil on the soles of the feet and the top of the head is also healing.
If you would like to know about other herbal or other remedies, just ask.
Lifestyle
Feeling unsociable and especially filled with dread over speaking with someone is a common part of vata type depression. However, isolating one's self and feelings of loneliness can in fact aggravate this type of depression. Small steps toward spending time in positive company will help.
Ayurveda prioritises living in accordance with nature and the elements and advocates early rising to watch the sunrise. This natural phenomenon is a very powerful message that darkness always passes to give way to light. Enjoy the calmness of the early morning. Just feel the breeze and listen to the sounds of nature awakening.
This is supported in modern science in that serotonin production is triggered by sunlight, hence why negativity can be more prominent at nightfall. Awakening earlier 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!
The Rethinking Responses and Breathing and Other Self-Help mini courses can be helpful to combatting these too. If you would like support for any ailments or concerns that arise, take a look at my main Therapy website which also has 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.
Some foodstuffs to avoid that could help reduce some symptoms of vata type depression, if you eat many of these, are sour fruits, apples, bananas, guava, grains such as millet, corn and buckwheat. Vegetables that are best not consumed in excess are potato, aubergine, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tamarind, pickles and winter squash. Yellow split peas (mung lentils) are preferable over red lentils, toor dal (also known as pigeon pea, a beige coloured lentil with yellow inside) and adzuki beans. It is also advisable to consume less milk, especially if it is not at is freshest, and sour cream as well as chicken, shrimp and fish.
Cutting down on the following can help with mental clarity. 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. I would suggest avoiding hard, mature cheeses. Beef, lamb and pork are also advised against.
I hope you will find some of this guidance helpful. Thank you for taking the quiz.
Vata type depression is considered to stem from the colon which then lies in the nervous system subsequently affecting the nervous system and mental functioning. Therefore, following a vata pacifying diet is a good first step (the Introduction to Ayurveda mini-course online can help you understand the principles of Ayurveda).
Insomnia, agitation, anxiety, nervousness and disturbed sleep patterns are generally associated with vata type depression. As with all Ayurvedic remedies, there are very specialist Ayurvedic herbs that can be used as well as commonly found or purchased remedies, in addition to small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. 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
If you consider yourself not a tea drinker, don't think of these as "teas". They are remedies to help you. People often consider medicines horrible to consume but know they must and they do so. Camomile tea is excellent to take for calming anxiety like symptoms and can be bought on most High Streets. A very good blend for anxiety symptoms is Holy Basil. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend a blend of Holy Basil and Sage but Holy Basil alone is very effective. Other recommended blends of vata pacifying tea can be calming and uplifting and can be ordered in the UK - just ask if you would like details.
Sesame oil is a revered oil in Ayurveda and recommended in various manners for many purposes. This is not the sesame oil you buy on the supeermarket shelf that is roasted but cold-pressed raw sesame oil which can be purchased in larger quantities for everyday use.
Warmed sesame oil taken as nose drops in the morning and evening before food are an aid to alleviating depression. Warm ghee oil can also be helpful for symptoms of anxiety. Rubbing sesame oil on the soles of the feet and the top of the head is also healing.
If you would like to know about other herbal or other remedies, just ask.
Lifestyle
Feeling unsociable and especially filled with dread over speaking with someone is a common part of vata type depression. However, isolating one's self and feelings of loneliness can in fact aggravate this type of depression. Small steps toward spending time in positive company will help.
Ayurveda prioritises living in accordance with nature and the elements and advocates early rising to watch the sunrise. This natural phenomenon is a very powerful message that darkness always passes to give way to light. Enjoy the calmness of the early morning. Just feel the breeze and listen to the sounds of nature awakening.
This is supported in modern science in that serotonin production is triggered by sunlight, hence why negativity can be more prominent at nightfall. Awakening earlier 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!
The Rethinking Responses and Breathing and Other Self-Help mini courses can be helpful to combatting these too. If you would like support for any ailments or concerns that arise, take a look at my main Therapy website which also has 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.
Some foodstuffs to avoid that could help reduce some symptoms of vata type depression, if you eat many of these, are sour fruits, apples, bananas, guava, grains such as millet, corn and buckwheat. Vegetables that are best not consumed in excess are potato, aubergine, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, tamarind, pickles and winter squash. Yellow split peas (mung lentils) are preferable over red lentils, toor dal (also known as pigeon pea, a beige coloured lentil with yellow inside) and adzuki beans. It is also advisable to consume less milk, especially if it is not at is freshest, and sour cream as well as chicken, shrimp and fish.
Cutting down on the following can help with mental clarity. 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. I would suggest avoiding hard, mature cheeses. Beef, lamb and pork are also advised against.
I hope you will find some of this guidance helpful. Thank you for taking the quiz.
