This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme for 2022 is tackling loneliness. Figures show that one in four of us feel lonely either some or all of the time and, the longer we do, the bigger risk it can have on our mental health.
Despite it being this common, most of us don't admit when we're lonely though — it feels kind of embarrassing, right? Especially in a time when, digitally, we’re more connected than ever (whether that’s through social media or dating apps).
To combat loneliness, we need to be honest. That's why it's so important to show up for ourselves and each other. You never know when someone might be feeling isolated, so it all starts with reaching out to loved ones.
And, because this is the Deja-verse, you know your dosha’s got something to do with it. In fact, to give genuine support to a loved one, we need to appreciate their uniqueness. So here, we look at how we can show up for our friends in a way that supports their individual doshas and emotional states.
Emotional balance according to Ayurveda
The Ayurvedic way of life has been around for more than 5,000 years and centres on the idea that your body, mind and gut are intimately connected - and have a wider impact on overall health. Ayurveda says we’re all made up of three doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha - but we have a dominant one which determines why we behave and feel a certain way.
Our unique dosha also determines which foods and activities are best for our body, and which health conditions we’re more prone to. By knowing your dosha makeup, as well as the dosha makeup of your nearest and dearest, you’ll know the signs of a dosha imbalance and ways to restore it.
Don’t know what dosha you are? Take our quiz, and share with your friend to find out, and then keep scrolling.
Vata
Those who are more dominant in Vata dosha are creative, imaginative and active - thanks to the light and airy nature of Vata. When they’re in balance, Vatas tend to be excited, open-minded and enthusiastic. But during an imbalance, they can suffer from mood swings, anxiety, nervousness and over-thinking. Vata types are also prone to stress and burnout.
For this reason, Ayurveda says to balance Vata, a grounded lifestyle that combats irregularity is key. This includes a daily routine for waking, eating and sleeping, regular yoga practice, and self-massage with warm oils to nourish and restore harmony in the body.
If you want to show up for a Vata friend, you could:
- Arrange a morning of yoga
- Book a relaxing spa day
- Help them to recognise positive things from the day with a new journal
- Enjoy a joint meditation session to calm emotional imbalances and racing thoughts
- Catch up over a cup of Love Cacao, designed to improve mood, promote positive feelings, and satisfy your sweet tooth! Packed with Ayurvedic super herbs - Ashwagndha, Shatavari and Maca - these adaptogens help the body to deal with stress and boost energy levels, which is essential when balancing out Vata. It’s also great for calming the nervous system!
Pitta
Pitta doshas tend to be passionate, organised, intelligent and ambitious - thanks to qualities that are sharp, dry, hot and light. However, this does mean that they're more prone to mental and emotional issues such as anger, jealousy, and competitiveness. With a tendency to overwork, Pittas can be quick to snap, and irritable. For this reason, Ayurveda advises a diet and routine that is cool and stabilising.
Again, Ayurvedic practitioners say a routine for waking, sleeping and eating can help to bring balance into a Pitta’s life. It’s also recommended that you schedule time to relax and have fun in order to prioritise happiness. Getting outside, and being close to nature and water, can be very cooling for Pitta imbalances.
If you want to show up for a Pitta friend, you could:
- See if they fancy a walk after work
- Arrange a massage to help release tension and stress around the body
- Invest in a journal for them to help them to release negative thoughts and stimulate their logical mind
- Enjoy a catch up outside, away from phones and social media
- Schedule in some time to enjoy a cup of Glow Wild together. This Rose Latte powder combines soothing herbs like Rose, Sariva and Manjistha and can help to cool and balance fiery Pitta. It’s also proven to combat inflammation in the body, and is an effective treatment for common Pitta skin conditions like rashes, acne and eczema.
Kapha
With elements of water and earth, Kapha qualities are cold, dense, heavy and dull. Those who are dominant in Kapha tend to be calm, slow, mindful and grounded. As the most stable of all of the doshas, Kaphas are loyal, patient and reliable. However, they can be more prone to attachment, greed and laziness. Kaphas also tend to put themself last.
To balance out these qualities, Ayurveda says Kaphas need change and stimulation. Consider planning time for adventure and getting out and about to try new things. High intensity exercise will help to combat any feelings of lethargy and it’s also recommended that Kapha’s don’t oversleep or nap in the day.
If you want to show up for a Kapha friend, you could:
- Create a self-care package that includes a journal, one of our best-selling latte powders and some Gold Shield capsules.
- Arrange a meditation session to help your friend to leave the past behind and focus on moving forward.
- Go for a run in the morning to prepare your body and mind for the day
- Cosy up on the sofa with a cup of Gold Power and put the world right together. This adaptogenic golden milk is made from Turmeric, Black Pepper, Cinnamon and Ashwagandha, and is ideal for balancing cold and damp Kaphas. It also boosts the immune system and reduces common Kapha symptoms related to cold and flus.
