The Ayurvedic approach to managing stress

One in 14 of us feel stressed every single day, and one in five feel stressed more days in a month than we don’t. While stress may impact the way we think and feel, it can also have a much bigger impact on our physical health. In fact, it’s even linked to lots of different illnesses including heart disease and those in the gut - and some studies have shown it can have an effect on our immune system. 

Of course, it’s not as easy as flicking a switch when it comes to reducing stress. But Ayurveda offers a few lifestyle changes and handy tips to help you out this Stress Awareness Month - which has been held every April since 1992.

Stress according to Ayurveda 

If you’re a fan of Ayurveda, you’ll know all about the doshas. But, if you’re new around here, let’s explain more about it. Ayurveda says our bodies are made up of three doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha. We all have the same three but we’ll be more dominant in one and this is the reason why we think, feel and act in certain ways. By understanding which dosha you’re more dominant in though you’ll know what triggers your emotional state and how to bring it back into balance. 
Don’t worry if you don’t know your dosha as we have a super easy quiz to reveal all. Once you’ve taken it, keep reading to find out a range of Ayurvedic stress tips for your personal body type. 

Vatas

If you’re a Vata dosha, you’ll be creative, quick-thinking and often on your feet. But, this fast way of living means you’re more prone to feeling anxious and panicked when things change or don’t go to plan. In response to stress, Vata types usually feel scared, isolated and can even struggle with insomnia and loss of appetite. 
There is a solution though. Vata is characterised with a light, cold and airy nature so, to bring it back into balance, stay warm, grounded and try a little routine in your day-to-day life. Journaling for 30 minutes every evening, eating at regular times and even practicing breathing exercises can all help to restore a little calm into your mind and body. 

Pittas 

Pittas are fiery, confident and competitive but, when under too much pressure, may feel angry, irritated and frustrated. This can soon lead to burnout, triggering feelings of stress, heartburn, hypertension and digestive problems. 
To bring Pitta’s hot nature back into balance, think about cool, calm and collected activities. Regular walks, soothing foods and avoiding alcohol and caffeine can all help. While you might think a glass of wine after a long day will soothe your worries, it can actually cause irritation and acid. So instead, why not reach for a warm cup of Love Cacao instead. Marshmallows are essential, obvs. 

Kaphas 

If you’re a Kapha type, you’ll be grounded, strong and reliable with a steady nature. Kaphas might be more resilient when it comes to stressful situations but everyone has their breaking point, right?! Change and challenges can cause Kaphas to feel stressed and, when they do, comfort eating and a lack of motivation is common.
To balance Kapha’s heavy nature, reach for fresh, light and uplifting foods. Regular exercise and being outside can also help you to get rid of any unhelpful emotions.  

Stress-busting tips

The truth is, whatever your dosha type, we could all do with some stress management tips. Plus, by making a few small changes in your daily routine, you should be able to nip any feelings of stress in the bud before they become a bigger problem.

1. Enjoy a little self-care 

The first step to balance stress is to slow down, which we know is easier said than done. Whether it’s the group chat endlessly pinging or work emails flying in after 7pm, it’s hard to switch off and enjoy some me-time but that’s exactly what your body and mind is crying out for.

Whatever’s happening in your day, try to make some time for yourself and do activities that bring you joy - maybe it’s a long soak in the bath, meditation practice or even just an hour under your fluffiest blanket reading a book. All are great ways to relax the nervous system, release tension and soothe your mind of any racing thoughts.

Self-massage with warm oils has also been proven to calm the nervous system, promote healthy circulation and rejuvenate tired bodies. So after your bath, why not dim the lights and reach for your sweetest smelling oil?

2. Get some rest 

Okay, so that might be hard when your mind’s in overdrive but sleep is so important. It helps your body to repair and rejuvenate and allows for the removal of toxins, which might have built up in the body because of stress. Ayurveda says we should try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, and go to bed and wake up at the same time - which leads us nicely onto our next point.

3. Commit to a routine 

Ayurveda recommends that we all have a daily routine but especially when we’re feeling stressed. Think about it this way: when we’re stressed, we often feel like we can’t cope, are overwhelmed or even like we can’t get anything done. A sense of regularity can help to make us feel a little calmer though. Creating a routine might be easier than you think too - you could try waking, eating and going to bed at the same time and incorporating a few daily rituals such as journaling and meditation into your lifestyle. 

4. Eat well

Ayurveda says good health begins in the gut and we all know that stress can cause havoc there too. For this reason, Ayurvedic practitioners advise a diet of wholesome, nourishing foods avoiding rich, processed foods and refined sugars. Consider soups, stews and root vegetables and we guarantee your body and mind will thank you.

5. Use Ayurvedic herbs and spices

As well as an Ayurvedic diet, there’s also what we like to call Ayurvedic super-herbs that improve mental clarity and calm the mind and nervous system. This includes:

•  Ashwagandha, which is known for its mind-calming and stress-busting effects. As an adaptogen, it actually helps the body to deal with stress and anxiety and is effective at relaxing us while we sleep.
  
  
• Brahmi, another adaptogen, balances the nervous system and helps to restore the mind, calming any racing thoughts. It’s been proven to reduce the stress hormone and can help minds to concentrate.
  
  
• Tulsi, also an adaptogen, helps the body to deal with physical, emotional and environmental stresses. By reducing the stress hormone, it restores balance all over. 

Relax with Deja

Don’t worry, you don’t need to blend up the above herbs and spices yourself. We’ve done the hard work for you and combined 11 of the best Ayurvedic herbs and spices and put them together to create Mind Balance. Designed to help combat stressful days, promote feelings of calm and help you to focus, these all-natural and easy-to-take capsules can help you to feel in control and relaxed. 

“Since taking Mind Balance, I definitely feel more calm, centered and focused… Over the last month, I have seen a difference in how I approach and handle day-to-day stresses. I feel super calm and am enjoying this feeling! So happy I discovered Deja.” Deshni

You can shop the full range of our products and supplements on our website, including our brand-new latte powders which have been designed to help you to realign your body and mind while enjoying a daily ritual that’s good for you.