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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Sen Wellness Sanctuary
4.7
Based on 216 reviews
The quality is excellent. The staff is gentle and very nice. the nature and all the activities nourishing the body , the soul, the clarity of mind.
Amazing experience thanks to the Dr, Treatments and Staff. They are actually the magic: Dr Chamodi, Rasanga and Mrs Madu. People with amazing heart and ready to help. Thanks again for everything
My stay at Sen Wellness was incredible. My boyfriend and I booked a 14-day wellness retreat but ended up staying for 18 days. The doctors went above and beyond to make us feel genuinely cared for in a very bespoke way — I even accidentally fractured my toe while I was there, and they tended to it daily alongside my Ayurvedic treatments.

The therapists were all highly skilled. The male therapists were great for a stronger, more structural approach, while the female therapists offered a gentle, nurturing touch that felt deeply supportive.

The schedule was thoughtfully curated — from daily yoga and meditation to private sessions with the resident Monk, cacao and breathwork ceremonies, special meals, cooking demos, and Ayurveda classes. That said, there was absolutely no pressure to attend everything, which allowed for plenty of spaciousness to rest and move at your own pace.

The setting itself is pure magic: wild jungle on one side, pristine ocean on the other, and monkeys swinging through the trees in between.

Sen is the kind of place that’s perfect for anyone moving through a transition. For me, it reset my nervous system after a particularly stressful six months, and helped me anchor into new habits for the next chapter. I also left looking (and feeling) ten years younger.

Would — and will — absolutely return!
Spent nearly three weeks at Sen - beautiful project, beautiful people and a beautiful place.

The food was sensational, the massages and treatments were world class (request face/head massage from rasanga) and the nature is surreal - you are in a jungle surrounded by monkeys and steps from the most pristine beautiful beach, to yourself.

My recommendation for the panchakarma would be to come prepared with things you want to work on - it was more flexible than I thought, and the team/doctors looking after you are incredibly accomodating, so you can really mould your experience if you wish (ie silent days, juice fast, day trips, special treatments).

They’ve also created a really nice community vibe - so you’re meeting/dining always with a great/interesting crew of humans.

We were even lucky enough to catch a session with the founder Sam (magician) and a cacao ceremony

Thanks especially madu, yasmin, dr chamodi and the whole staff crew for always being so friendly/helpful.
I stayed at Sen Wellness Sanctury for a week in May. The property is beautifully located just 2 minutes walk from a lovely long stretch of wild ocean beach where turtles arrive to nest. There are a variety of room choices all nicely appointed.

The staff in all areas of the business were fantastic.

Lovely food, 3 meals a day with with morning and evening yoga sessions, daily treatments, massages and organised day trips completed a really comprehensive package. The shared environment is tastefully decorated enabling a very relaxed space to relax, snooze or chat with other guests.

My stay here has been delightful and I would highly recommend Sen Wellness Sancturay to anyone wishing to take a healthy break in Sri Lanka.

Andrew.😀
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