Skip to main content

Ayurvedic Tips for Aging in our sunset years🌛

Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world.  That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that  aging  ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br

5 Yummy Health Foods For Stress And Anxiety

Yummy Health Foods For Stress And Anxiety
As many causes as there are for stress and anxiety, there are as many remedies around to tackle it, from foods for stress and anxiety to supplements and body therapies.
While it is foolish to hope for a life only with highs, the important thing is to learn to manage the lows.
In this age of technological advances and increasing lifestyle demands people everywhere have become more prone to stress disorders. Expectations from social media have only further increased the feelings of insecurity.
It’s easy to get bogged down in life by something that’s not going the way you want. There’s stress all around and there could be any reason for it, from your job, spouse, kids or domestic issues, to office politics or heart breaks.
Unfortunately, stress has become a part of everyday living and is hampering your very existence. The most important aspect therein is to find ways to let the stress not get to you.
Exercising, socializing, counseling sessions, pursuing hobbies, surrounding yourself with positive people are all different ways you can use to come out of your shell.
You can also pay attention to the foods you eat if they’re supporting your nervous system or depleting it.

Ayurvedic Perspective On Mental Disorders

According to Ayurveda, the natural medicine of India, just like all other physical and mental disorders anxiety is due to a dosha imbalance.
In the case of stress and anxiety, there is an excess accumulation of Vata in the nervous system.
Vata dosha is the representation of the elements of air and space. It governs the brain, nervous system, breathing, and circulation. In order to balance Vata dosha, regularity in routine is a must.
Rising early in the morning followed by activities like listening to soothing music, doing yoga, taking a short walk or meditating are activities that remedy Vata imbalances.
By following the dietary guidelines for a Vata-pacifying diet one can reduce Vata in the body and mind.
One must also opt for warm and cooked food instead of frozen or cold foods. This is also highly beneficial to calming the nervous system and Vata dosha.
The type of food you ingest plays a major role in the way you experience stressful situations.
If your diet is full of caffeine and sugar, cut back now and you’ll notice a difference. Additionally, check out these foods for stress and anxiety.
They help ward away the blues and calm the system. Becoming aware of how your body works and deals with stress will help you manage stress better.
Now let’s go ahead and take a look at the best foods for stress and anxiety relief.

Foods For Stress And Anxiety Relief

Brown Rice

5 Yummy Health Foods For Stress And Anxiety
Brown rice is whole grain rice with the outer husk removed. In comparison to white rice, it is more nutritious. It aggravates Pitta and pacifies Vata and Kapha. It is suggested to be taken in autumn.
The antioxidants present in brown rice provide relief against stress and anxiety. Some studies have shown that germinated brown rice contains essential amino acids (glutamine, glycerin, and GABA).
These inhibitory neurotransmitters facilitate a reduction in the allowance of messages associated with anxiety, depression, and stress in the brain, thereby leading to a feeling of being in a relaxed state.
It is also rich in serotonin, a chemical that elevates one’s mood. Brown rice raises serotonin levels naturally and acts as a natural tranquilizer. Sweet potatoes and carrots also boost serotonin levels.
Other grains like wheat and oats that can be easily digested are also a good preference for Vata types.
Legumes like tur dal or pigeon peas, red lentils and urad dal or white lentils, offer good nourishment for Vatas. They must be cooked properly and spiced right.

Orange

oranges for stress
Orange is a cholagogue, detoxifier and nutritive. It pacifies Vata and Kapha and aggravates Pitta. It is essential to take adequate vitamin C to digest and absorb the iron you get from other foods.
Cortisol, called the stress hormone, triggers the fight or flight response to stress. While it is a necessity in life, high levels of the hormone are bad for health and lead to problems like insomnia, anxiety disorders, and weight gain.
Vitamin C is known to lower the secretion of cortisol. It also aids in reducing blood pressure. Therefore, including oranges in your morning breakfast becomes essential before you get out for the day.
With high levels of vitamin C in the body, individuals can bounce back quickly from stressful situations. Other good sources of vitamin C are tomatoes, strawberries, papayas, broccoli, and other citrus fruits.

More Foods For Stress And Anxiety

Green Tea


tea
Green tea is an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestive and spleen tonic. It pacifies Pitta and Kapha dosha, while it aggravates Vata dosha.
It nourishes fat and plasma and is recommended as an overall cleanser in the spring season.
If you have been affected by anxiety, turn to some green tea for solace. Drinking five or more cups of green tea daily has proven to reduce the incidence of psychological distress by 20%.
The amino acid theanine, a major component of green tea, produces a calming effect though it has a lower amount of caffeine than coffee.
It has been tried in some countries to solve migraine headaches and provides therapeutic benefits for those who suffer from anxiety.

Almonds

almonds for amenorrhea
Almonds are an alkalizing tonic providing magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin E. They pacify Vata and Pitta and aggravate Kapha. They relax muscles and are a good brain tonic.
Antioxidants present in our veggies and fruits reduce the ill effects of oxidative stress on mental health. Almonds are also a rich source of antioxidants and help in stress reduction. Snack around 15-20 nuts daily to keep your day running smooth.
In moderation, all other nuts like walnuts, peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, and pine nuts are also pacifying to Vata. As they are oily and nutritious they make a great combination of proteins and fats that are highly beneficial to Vata.

Dark Chocolate

5 Yummy Health Foods For Stress And Anxiety
The next time you feel like pulling your hair out, instead bite into a dark chocolate bar.
In research studies, during stressful situations, it was observed that those who had consumed dark chocolate had lower levels of cortisol and epinephrine after stress.
Specifically, the response of the adrenal gland, which produces cortisol was much less. Eating dark chocolate daily reduced stress hormone levels in individuals with high anxiety levels.
Dark chocolate is a nervine and an aphrodisiac. It pacifies Kapha and slightly aggravates Vata and Pitta Dosha. It relaxes muscles, elevates mood and is a mild blood thinner.
Fix yourselves with these foods and keep stress away. Life is too short to be anything else but happy.
Please consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before following the dietary guidelines mentioned in this article. Consult a clinical psychologist if you think you are having depression, stress, and/or anxiety.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

11 Calming Herbs to keep your Mind Balanced 💆

          Life is hard. Every day it seems like a new challenge appears to test your patience. You may not realize that chronic stress can also lead to long-term health complications. Living in a constant state of fight-or-flight tells your body to produce too much cortisol which can lead to weight gain, diabetes, mood swings, fatigue, and many other conditions. ( 1 ) While it’s important to take steps to manage stress, certain calming herbs can help strengthen your body’s stress response. Adaptogens are some of the best calming herbs because studies show they might make your body and mind more resilient to external stress. Keep in mind that adaptogens don’t work like prescription drugs for anxiety in that they kick in instantly. Instead, they need a few weeks to build up in your system before you notice the effects. When you need something in a pinch, however, other herbs and  essential oils  – like lavender oil – can ease symptoms almost instantly. 1.  LEMON BALM Lemon balm , also kn

Natural Home Remedies For Minor Burns 🔥

Natural Home remedies for Burns The use of natural remedies given below can be highly effective in managing such minor burns. These remedies are aimed at promoting healing of the damaged skin tissues and minimizing pain. Raw Potato Raw potato can be used to treat minor skin burns. It possesses soothing properties, which help in providing relief from the burning sensation caused by burns. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces redness and inflammation of the skin. It can also reduce the chances of having blisters. Research has proved the beneficial effect of raw potato in the management of minor burns. The histological examination of the burnt area and clinical studies made on the comparable burn wounds treated with either peel of boiled potato affixed to gauze bandages or just gauze dressings showed that the patients treated with raw potato had a faster rate of recovery from the symptoms. It was found that the usage of the potato peel dressing eliminated or reduced desi

Spring Detox Smoothie

When spring arrives, I can't help but think about cleaning up my eating habits. After all, spring detox is a thing (along with spring cleaning, which technically is a detox for your home). That's why I’m sharing with you a smoothie packed with nutrients your body will love. Drink it in the morning and you'll give your body a much-needed boost of energy to get you through the day. Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters  Before I get to the actual recipe, I'd like to shine the spotlight on each individual ingredient used in this smoothie. You'll quickly see why this is a great spring detox smoothie worth drinking. Green Tea Not only is  green tea tasty to drink on its own, but it's also full of health benefits. It's high in antioxidants and contains a large amount of catechins, polyphenolic compounds that are thought to exert numerous protective effects, especially for your heart. Green tea is great for your cardiovascular system and