Managing Anxiety with Ayurveda

manage-anxiety

Everyone encounters anxiety at one point or another.  

Some anxiety is essential – an evolutionary tool that protects us from danger and allows us to anticipate obstacles. However, in modern-day culture, anxiety feels less protective. More often than not, anxiety disturbs our inner peace and prevents us from reaching our highest potential.

Anxiety can be a topic that is “taboo” for many. Luckily it is becoming less stigmatized and for a good reason. Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder worldwide. Data from the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that anxiety affects nearly 30% of adults at some point.

So what is anxiety?

Anxiety is classically described as a feeling of being “ungrounded.” 

From an Ayurvedic perspective, anxiety stems from an imbalance in the Vata dosha. A Vata imbalance yields too much energy in the mind and not enough at the feet. Thus, when Vata is disturbed, you feel disconnected from the earth.

An imbalance of Vata energy can manifest as:

  • Erratic thoughts
  • Worries
  • Obsession
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Hyper-excitable nervous system
  • Trouble sleeping

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek holistic and alternative modalities. The good news is that the brain is incredibly malleable, meaning we can change our thoughts and rewire our brains. When we focus on restoring balance to our three doshas using alternative modalities, we pave the way for a calm mind and life.

While navigating anxiety, it is essential to calm your energy, calm your nervous system, connect to your body and the earth, and surrender to the present moment. Indeed, overcoming anxiety is no easy feat, but it is essential to anchor yourself to the concreteness of the present before diving into the work. In approaching your anxiety this way, you will learn how to harness and use your anxiety as a force for good.

Techniques to manage anxiety:

Ground your energy in nature

The vital role of nature is a part of ancient Ayurveda and is backed by science! Time in nature is grounding and inherently harmonizing. Put your bare feet on the earth or touch a tree for at least a few minutes daily.

Time in nature is also an incredible way to combat and manage stress.

Meditation

If you learn to control your mind while seated on the meditation cushion, you can more easily manage your mind in any outside situation.

In meditation, you become humbled by the strength of your thoughts. You learn to be compassionate to the struggle—the struggle to have a moment of stillness and the struggle to have peace for the rest of your life. The gift of struggle is surrender. It is the ultimate antidote to resistance. And it is also crucial in the healing of anxiety.

Try sitting in meditation for 5 minutes. Imagine your thoughts as clouds pass through the sky. Allow your thoughts to come and go until your mind becomes still. Try mantra singing or guided meditation if you struggle sitting in silence.

Shirodhara

One of the most popular treatments we offer at the Sanctuary is Shirodhara. Shirodhara comes from the Sanskrit words shiro (head) and dhara (flow). It is a traditional Ayurvedic body therapy where a steady, gentle stream of warm oil is continuously poured over the forehead to help soothe and heal a frayed nervous system. Read more about our retreats here.

According to Ayurvedic teachings, gentle but constant oil application stimulates healthy blood circulation to the brain and pituitary gland. At the same Time, certain added herbs and essences can relieve symptoms of anxiety, migraines, insomnia and neuralgia.

Breathwork

Sama Vritti is the expression used to describe a balanced breath. Anxiety activates the fight-or-flight portion of your nervous system; when you engage in deep and rhythmic breathing, you activate the vagus nerve and turn on your parasympathetic nervous system—which, in turn, can pump the brakes on anxiety. 

Breathwork is an incredible tool; nobody can do it “wrong.” Here are a couple of great exercises.

Ayurvedic Herbs 

Holy Basil- also known as tulsi in Ayurveda protects against chemical, emotional, and physical stress. Holy basil has numerous benefits, including anti-anxiety, mild anti-depressant, antioxidant, and anti-stress/adrenal protective effects. It also has anti-viral properties, pain-relieving properties, and blood glucose stabilization properties.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the best Vata-balancing herbs. It is soothing, grounding, and warming.

Our highest intention is to provide you with tangible techniques and accessible information. We hope that one or more of these techniques resonate with you. You are always welcome to reach out with any questions.

Sam Kankanamge

Sam Kankanamge BSc (Hons) Osteo, DPO, Dip.Acu is an exceptional, world renowned healthcare professional, with over 25 years-experience transforming patients’ health, and has been called ‘the best back specialist in the country’ by The Times (2014).

Sen Wellness Sanctuary is the result of Sam’s dream to support people in an even deeper way, and realising his vision of combining his experience working in the West with his Sri Lankan heritage, rooted in Ayurvedic traditions. His sensitive understanding of these different cultures, mindsets, challenges and needs is reflected in the authentic retreat centre he has created.

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M UW
M UW
1710650939
I had really nice experience at Sen Wellness for 8 nights. Here is in the middle of nature, we can feel that we are a part of nature and it is very natural to live with all kinds of animals and plants. I am now mentally and physically fit.What I really appreciated is food - healthy, everyday different menu, some vegetables that I have never seen… I felt that my feeling of taste transformed through my stay and skin condition and body condition became better.All people here is really kind and peaceful.Yoga teacher, Stefania, is a wonderful teacher, she is really knowledgeable and so kind to care all participants. I had enjoyed conversations with her at breakfast, lunch and dinner.Doctors, therapists are nice, I could ask questions and request whatever I feel comfortable.There are different types of rooms, I experienced the most luxury cabana and eco-cabana with Air Conditioning, too. Luxury cabana was awesome but I liked eco-cabana as well. It was an old facility but authentic, compact and I felt cozy. I was alone in the room so the space was enough for single use. If you wish to have luxury stay, I would recommend you to go for Luxury cabana.Everyone has different purpose and expectations. My purpose was feel nature, have simple life and feel appreciation of life. And it was fulfilled. Thank you so much for all Sen wellness team.
sunil damodar
sunil damodar
1710516667
Went to Sen Wellness with family for a retreat, it was a nice spiritual and healthy experience. Fantastic team who were friendly and did everything possible to make it us feel special, great doctors and therapists and of course the daily yoga and one on one interaction with Sam was icing on the cake. Would recommend this to anyone looking for a great mix of spirituality, yoga, treatment and healthy eating. Look forward to my next one at Sen Wellness.
Jessica Crozier
Jessica Crozier
1709904229
Sen Wellness is the perfect place to go to when you are exhausted by life and need a rest to get back to yourself and work through any difficulties you may be experiencing.There’s lovely yoga and meditation classes every day plus a set schedule which is a great way to structure your day of rest alongside tailored Ayurvedic treatments and healthy food.The place is for me perfect but it’s not like a 5 star hotel so if that’s what you are looking for it may be the wrong place for you.If you are lucky you’ll see some turtles as well.Samath and Francis are great managers and will make sure everything goes well.
Kumail Syedain
Kumail Syedain
1709739998
Beautiful experience, beyond my wildest expectations. Would recommend to anyone interested in Ayurveda and healing
Neil Wadhawan
Neil Wadhawan
1709656423
I was fortunate to lead a yoga retreat in early February of 2024. Everything was absolutely spectacular. Sen is a very special place with a beautiful energy that is perfect for retreat and healing.What really makes Sen so special are the people. Every single one of the staff members as well as the ayurveda doctors and all the managers were so kind and always trying to make each experience special. The entire team was led by Sanath and Frances and they were both absolutely wonderful. I can't possibly find enough kind words for both of them. Their leadership and warmth really allowed me to lead the retreat in the best way I could and they were always there for me whenever I needed. Thank you!
helen wright
helen wright
1709279369
Sen wellness is a perfect sanctuary. The Ayurvedic retreat was insane - I loved every minute of it . Thank you
Elly G
Elly G
1708444914
Came here for a yoga retreat with our teacher. This is the place to unwind, do yoga, relax and get Ayurvedic treatment. Ayurvedic drs and therapists are so helpful and friendly. Staff are so warm and helpful. Frances is the manager at Sen, a person with a beautiful soul who is very sensitive to our needs and intentions when visiting the sanctuary. Saneth (pardon my spelling) is a very dedicated and hardworking gentleman who made sure that our stay was a pleasant one. Highly recommend Sen Wellness Sanctuary 🙏🏽
Heike Mucha
Heike Mucha
1708017780
I stayed at Sen Wellness Sancutary for the festive retreat 23/24 - for me a 10 days commitment to complete immersion. I enjoyed every bit of it already at the Sanctuary! Now, back home and 40 days later, I am still profiting from the treatments, the experiences I made and my 40-days-practise that I started, as soon as I arrived home.Here is my deepest gratitude for the gifts I received during this retreat: a wonderful place, a kind, supportive, attentive and friendly team, support and grounding in my personal difficult moments, fantastic and soothing Ayurveda treatments (thanks to the doctors & massage therapists - always there with a smile and advice), delicious food, fascinating ceremonies (an unforgettable experience!), a lot of fun & laughter with other group members...Just to name a fiew.The biggest gift is, that I still have all this in my heart, that I can feel the connection to it. And that the practice of pranayama and meditation starts to become a routine! I hope, I can return to this unique place one day.
Sally Emerson
Sally Emerson
1707933557
My stay at Sen Wellness was exhilarating, from the dramatic colours of the sunsets to the naughty monkeys bouncing on the roof of our yoga room then leaping into the jungle. Best of all was watching, after a sunset walk over the wide empty white beach, newly hatched turtles hurtling over the sand to the ocean beyond. Good food, kind smiling staff, excellent and varied company from all over the world at the communal meals, massages, swimming pool, meditation, yoga, it was all pretty faultless and very inspiring.The serene and mesmerising Tseyang from Tibet provided me with a yoga programme I am actually keeping to.
One of the most relaxing and intriguing stays I’ve ever had. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, the hosts and staff anticipate and provide for your every need.The creative Vegan meals, yoga, meditation and daily treatments make this retreat a must-do for anyone who wants to experience an absolute gem.
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