Have you ever seen someone who worries too much about the future constantly and has this constant fear of uncertainty? Like they will think every negative prospect of a situation. Why do they have this fear? Is it normal to feel this way? How can we get rid of these feelings? You will find all these answers in this article.
Table of contents
• What is anxiety?
• Symptoms of anxiety
• Causes and risk factor
• When you need to see your doctor
• General tips for anxiety
• What to eat and avoid?
• Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Also, Read► Combating Stress And Anxiety With Natural Herbs
What is Anxiety?
In Ayurveda, there are three qualities of mind(mano guna) primarily i.e. sattva, raja, and tama.
Sattva guna is associated with positivity, consciousness, spirituality, and lightness. It represents knowledge and intellect and brings calmness to life.
Raja guna is the most active quality among the three. It is associated with excessive movement and stimulation. It is more focused on achievement and passion.
Tama guna is related to heaviness and inertia. It brings a negative attitude on the front leading to letharginess, excessive sleep, etc.
In Ayurveda, Anxiety is correlated with chittoudvega. Chittoudvega can be defined as chitta(mind) + udvega(anxiety) = chittoudvega (anxious state of mind). Chittoudvega is a psychiatric disorder due to vitiation in raja and tama doshas along with vata and pitta. People having alpa sattva is more prone to anxiety.
Anxiety mainly comprises of two factors:
Fear: unpleasurable feeling in response to danger and threat.
Worry: thinking about unpleasant things that makes you feel unhappy and upsets you.
So chittaudvega or anxiety disorder is characterized by uncontrollable, irrational, and excessive worrying about everyday things that are not even going to happen.
Symptoms of Anxiety
As symptoms of anxiety may differ from person to person but some symptoms are common in all of them like persistent unrealistic worry often associated with muscle tension, insomnia, impaired concentration, feeling ‘on edge’, or restlessness. Other symptoms of anxiety are:
1.Sammoha(Illusion)
2.Angamarda(Body ache)
3.Ayasa(Easy fatiguability)
4.Ucchawasasyadhikyam(Dyspnoea)
5.Anannabhilasha(Anorexia)
6.Avipaka(indigestion)
7. Anidra( Insomnia)
8.Nidra nash(Disturbed sleep)
9.Shirash shoonyata(Numbness of mind)
10.Unmattachitattavam(Lack of concentration)
11.Krodh(anger)
12.Udvega(palpitations)
13.Swanokarnayo(Tinnitus)
Also, Read► Low fitness may increase depression and anxiety: Study
Causes And Risk Factor of Anxiety
In ayurvedic literature, it is believed that weak sattva leads to anxiety. Vitiation in raja and tama along with vata and pitta is responsible for this psychiatric disorder. Factors that cause anxiety are:
1. Genetic Factor: In some families, it runs from one generation to the next.
2. Traumatic Events: stressful events in life like workplace tension, Financial stress, death of a loved one can lead to anxiety.
3. Excessive Use of Alcohol: Alcoholic tendencies leads to vitiation of raja and tama doshas.
4. Health Issues: Some diseases like heart diseases, thyroid disorders can lead the person to depression. Slowly with time, it results in anxiety.
When You Need To See Your Doctor
It is very normal that you feel anxious before taking an exam or a job interview. But when a person starts having problems in making daily life decisions and worries too much that he/she can't concentrate then they need to consult a doctor. Generally, a diagnosis of anxiety is made when a person continuously feels anxious about everyday problems for more than 6 months.
General Tips For Anxiety
In today's world lifestyle is changing so fast and everybody is trying to fulfill all the physical desires. Everybody seems like he is carrying a weight across their shoulder. So psychiatric disorders like anxiety are quite often seen even in the younger generation. But some of the following tips may help you in relaxation and relieve that mental burden:
1. In Ayurveda weak sattva is considered responsible for mano roga(mental disorder). So sattvavajaya chikitsa(bringing the mind under control) is recommended for peace of mind. For this we should follow these tips:
A. Following ritucharya(seasonal regimen) and dinacharya(daily regimen):
* We should include certain things in our daily lifestyle(dinacharya) like praying, having gratitude towards what we have, cleanliness and vyayam(exercise), etc. This will have a positive impact on our life.
* In certain seasons people feel more anxious like in summers. So we should follow a particular regimen to avoid seasonal anxiety.
B. Sattva guna can be improved by following sadvritta(code of virtues). This includes:
• Moral and ethical conduct
• Truth, non-violence
• Personal hygiene etc.
The practice of sadvritta(behavioral approaches mainly) will reduce stress and anxiety.
C. Annapanavidhi(dietary rules):
Here are few tips:
• Avoiding rajasic and tamasic foods like chili and caffeine.
• Eating meals at the same time.
• Including foods like kshira(milk), ghrita(ghee), draksha(grapes) in the diet to balance vata and pitta dosha.
2. Abhyanga(Body massage): Body massage is a great way to relieve tension and anxiety. One can simply have a tila taila(sesame oil) or sarshap taila(mustard oil) massage.
3. Shirodhara(Streaming of medicated oil, milk, decoction on the forehead): Pouring medicated oils like chandanadi taila or even simple oils like sesame oil over the forehead can calm down those stressed nerves.
4. Pranayam(Breathing exercises): Pranayam have some really good effect on anxiety. One should focus on inhalations and exhalations, and try to lengthen them with some pause. Pranayam like Anulom-vilom(alternate nostril breathing), kapalbhati, bhastrika, and bhramari can soothe your nerves.
5. Yoga and meditation: Some asanas in yoga can help to relieve symptoms of anxiety when practiced regularly like dhanurasan(bow pose), setu bandhasana(bridge pose), marjariasana(cat stretch), shirshaasan(headstand), etc.
Also, Read► Ways to deal with coronavirus anxiety
What To Eat And Avoid?
In ayurvedic literature, dietary habits held great importance in determining a person’s health. As in anxiety, we see symptoms like anannaabhilasha(anorexia) and avipaka(indigestion) related to the gastro intestinal system, it seems more important to focus on the diet of the person. So one should follow these rules:
• One should have regular meals at the same time.
• Eat warm food that is cooked in little oil or ghrita(ghee) to balance vata dosha.
• Include more sattvic foods in the diet like seasonal fruits and homemade simple meals.
• Drink milk mixed with kesar(saffron) before bedtime as it will help in sleep.
• Avoid processed foods like bakery items, frozen food and deep-fried food.
• Avoid rajasic and tamasic foods like chili, caffeine, and processed meats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is anxiety?
Ans. Anxiety or as we call it chittoudvega in Ayurveda is characterized by constantly worrying or feeling anxious all the time that a person might feel difficulty in his everyday life. One can also develop physical symptoms gradually like angamarda(body aches), anannaabhilasha(anorexia), anidra(insomnia), etc.
Q2. How can we avoid it?
Ans. As Ayurveda believes in nidana parivarjan(removal of the cause) as its first line of treatment, adopting a yogic lifestyle may help in preventing anxiety. The yamas and niyamas(principles) of yoga can help you achieve that sattvic lifestyle. For instance, the shaucha principle is all about the cleanliness of the mind and body. The Santosh principle talks about contentment with whatever you have in your life. Also, the aparigraha principle can help in controlling our desires to possess more.
One should also eat nutritious food and lead a healthy lifestyle with the help of yoga, pranayama, and dhyana(meditation).
Q3. How can I relieve stress and anxiety naturally?
Ans. Most natural ways to combat anxiety are getting good sleep, exercising, reducing caffeine intake, laughter therapy, practicing breathing exercises, and reducing the causes of stress in your life. Mindfulness, physical connection with your partner, and spending time with your family and friends can also do wonders in this scenario. Just take things slowly and follow one day at a time rule.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Stress And Anxiety
Ayurveda not only talks about physical health but also the mental health of a person is equally important which makes it a complete science for a living. For anxiety also, Ayurveda focuses on both prospects.
Acharya Charak has recommended 3 methods of treatment:
• Daivavyapashraya chikitsa (Spiritual or divine treatment)
• Yukti vyapashraya chikitsa (Logical therapy)
• Satwavajaya chikitsa (Psychotherapy)
1. For daivavyapasraya chikitsa, one should pray to god, give charity, chant different mantras, etc. These practices will lift the spirits of the patient and they can feel more contented in themselves.
2. Yukti vyapashraya or as we may call it drug therapy, targets proper diet, medication, and rasayanas also.
Shodhan therapy (Body detoxification) like nasya(nasal instillation), Abhyanga(body massage), virechana(purgation), basti(enema), shirolepa, taildhara can be helpful in effectively treating this condition.
3. Satwavajaya chikitsa also plays an important role in this. In this, we provide counseling for managing different issues, replace negative thoughts, and restrain the mind from unnecessary thinking by analytical thinking, courage, and knowledge. Different mental disorders which can induce anxiety-like anger issues, PTSD and different type of phobias can also be treated under this.
Ayurvedic Medicine For Stress And Anxiety
There are several medicines in Ayurveda to treat anxiety that have shown amazing results. Medicines like Brahmi ghrita, ashwagandha churna, kalyanak ghrita, panchagavya ghrit, saraswatarishta, sarpagandha, jatamansi, etc are being used by ayurvedic practitioners to tackle this situation.
Q4. What herbs are good for stress and anxiety?
Ans. Herbs like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), and bhringraj (Eclipta alba) are well-known herbs for anxiety disorder. They help in reducing stress levels, detoxifying the body, and calm your mind. You can simply incorporate them into your lifestyle as tea, oils, or powdered form and get various benefits. Even external application is beneficial in some cases.
Q5. Can anxiety go away naturally?
Ans. Mild cases of anxiety can go away after the issue causing it is resolved. But if you have an anxiety disorder or repetitive attacks, then you might need to see your doctor.
Q6. What is the 333 rule for anxiety?
Ans. As anxiety can flare up at any time of your day, it's really important to take care of your mental health as you do for your body. 333 rule can be really helpful to manage your anxiety attacks. For this, look around you and name 3 things you see. Then focus on your hearing and name 3 sounds that you hear. At last move 3 of your body parts like your fingers, legs, or arms. During this whole process remember to take slow and deep breaths. This is a proven effective method to stop your mind to overthink and calm down your mind.
Q7. What foods to avoid if you have anxiety?
Ans. Different processed foods like bakery goods, frozen food, refined cereals, candy, and fried food are not good for you if you are dealing with anxiety. Also, caffeine, chili, and processed meat should be avoided.
References
• Agnivesh, “Charak Samhita” revised by Charaka & Dridhbala with “Ayurved Deepika commentary”, by Chkarapanidatta, edited by Vd. Jadavaji Trikamji Acharya, published by Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint-2008, Ch.Vi 6/5 pp.254.
• Acharya YT. Charaka: Charaka Samhita with Āyurveda Deepika Commentary of Chakrapani: Chaukhambha Orientalia; Varanasi 2002, 383,384
• Acharya Jadavaji Trikamji, editor. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha, Sutra Sthana, Ch. 1/Ver. 54; 5th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sanst han; 2001.
• www.nhp.gov.in
Read More► Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms And Ayurvedic Treatment
At the personal level, the fight against the Covid-19 virus begins with strong immunity. As the second wave turns out to be more alarming and devastating than the previous one, many are turning to strengthening their immune system using homegrown plants, 'kadhas', and a nutrient-rich and diverse diet.
The world is waking up again to the importance of a balanced diet, and according to Aseem Sood, Managing Director, Proveda India, it is necessary to follow a diet that includes foods rich in iron, protein and vitamins C, B12 and A.
While patients must strictly follow their doctor's advice, Sood believes that, "to combat this deadly disease is also to opt for the age-old ayurvedic immunity drinks and kitchen ingredients in Indian households that have the necessary nutrients to cure a lot of ailments like cold, flu and fever. Make sure that your immunity is in its prime and working at its full capacity to fight against allergens and pathogens attacking your body."
Here's what he suggests to help you boost your immunity and complete your diet, so your body builds up the strength to put up a fight against foreign pathogens.
Also, Read► 10 easy steps to build a stronger immune system
Giloy and tulsi: Studies have proved that Giloy possesses immune-o-simulator properties. It helps to flush out the toxins from the body. Giloy also contains Antipyretic (fever controlling) properties. Tulsi is known as the ''the queen of herbs''. Tulsi is said to prevent disease, promote general health, well-being and longevity and assist in dealing with the stresses of daily life. Combination of these two superb herbs gives you a healthy and long life. Giloy Tulsi Plus is a traditionally-known herb that boosts immunity level and balances all three 'doshas'.
Panch tulsi with ginger drops: It is one of the best examples of ayurveda's holistic lifestyle approach to health. Considered as a potent adaptogen, Panch tulsi and ginger have a unique combination of pharmacological actions that promote well-being and resilience. This combination increases anti-oxidant molecules such as glutathione and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, which protect cellular organelles and membranes by mopping up damaging free radicals in the body.
Immune drops: Immune drops is a mixture of rama tulsi, kala tulsi, vishnu priya tulsi, sweet lemon tulsi, bisva tulsi, curcumin. It is an instant immunity booster, gives you good health, protects you from diseases and helps you to live a good healthy life.
Sood also suggests taking in dissolvable Vitamin C tablets in water as it is an antioxidant which strengthens body's immune response.
Finally, if one is advised, they can also take in multivitamin capsules. "Modern day food habits don't provide proper nutrition and that's why we need multivitamin supplements to re-vitalize the body and to keep you protected from the damage caused by harmful free radicals.''
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नई दिल्ली, 31 मई (आईएएनएस)। बालों की कई सारी समस्याएं हैं और कई समाधान भी हैं। हम किसी की अपनी तरकीबें होती हैं और लोग उसी हिसाब से अपनी बालों की सेहत का ख्याल रखते हैं। हम सभी ने अपनी दादी-नानी से नारियल तेल के फायदों के बारे में सुना है, लेकिन इसका आखिर सबूत क्या है, आइए जानते हैं।
नारियल तेल की मदद से हम बाल झड़ने की समस्या को 50 फीसदी तक कम कर सकते हैं। एक वास्तविक टीआरआई प्रिंसटन यूएसए अध्ययन के मुताबिक, यह पाया गया है कि यह पाया गया कि नारियल तेल प्रोटीन की कमी होने (बाल धोने या पर्यावरणीय कारकों के कारण) को 50 फीसदी से अधिक रोकता है और इसका बालों के टूटने और बालों के झड़ने को कम करने पर सीधा और समान प्रभाव पड़ता है। इस अध्ययन में नारियल के तेल के प्रभावों की जांच की गई, जिसमें आधे बालों में तेल लगाया गया और आधे को बिना तेल लगाए छोड़ दिया गया। नतीजे से यह स्पष्ट हो गया कि नारियल का तेल बालों के झड़ने को कम करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाता है।
इसी अध्ययन में यह भी पाया गया कि बालों पर नारियल के तेल का एक पौष्टिक प्रभाव भी है, जो इसके झड़ने को काफी हद तक कम कर देता है। नारियल का तेल ही एकमात्र ऐसा तेल है, जो रिस-रिस कर जड़ों की तह तक पहुंच जाता है। इससे न केवल बालों की सुरक्षा होती है, बल्कि बालों को मजबूती भी मिलती है।
नारियल के तेल में मोनोलॉरिन मौजूद रहता है। इसके अलावा इसमें लॉरिक एसिड की भी उपलब्धता रहती है, जो कि ब्रेस्ट मिल्क में ही एकमात्र उपलब्ध रहता है। यह बालों के लिए किसी औषधि से कम नहीं है। अकसर तनाव की वजह से बाल ज्यादा टूटते हैं। लॉरिक एसिड इस स्थिति में भी बालों को टूटने से रोकता है।
कई तेलों में से एकमात्र नारियल तेल ही सूरज की हानिकारक किरणों से बालों को सुरक्षा प्रदान करने में अधिक प्रभावी है। यह बालों के लिए किसी सनस्क्रीन से कम नहीं है।
प्रदूषण से बालों को बहुत ही नुकसान पहुंचता है। इससे बाल कमजोर पड़ जाते हैं और इनमें टूटने की प्रवृत्ति आ जाती है, लेकिन नारियल तेल बालों को इनसे दोहरी सुरक्षा प्रदान करते हैं। इनसे बालों में एक परत बन जाता है, जो प्रदूषण को जड़ों तक जाने से रोकते हैं। अब चूंकि नारियल तेल बालों की जड़ों तक पहुंचने की क्षमता रखता है, ऐसे में अगर प्रदूषक तत्व किसी तरह से बालों की तह तक पहुंच भी जाते हैं, तो इस स्थिति में नारियल के तेल में मौजूद प्रचुर मात्रा में प्राकृतिक एंटीऑक्सिडेंट्स यह सुनिश्चित करते हैं कि इनसे बालों को अधिक नुकसान न पहुंचे।
विज्ञान में अब सर्वसम्मति से नारियल तेल को सर्वश्रेष्ठ मान लिया गया है। बालों पर इसका नतीजा गौर फरमाने लायक है। नारियल तेल बालों के लिए किसी अमृत से कम नहीं है, जो बालों के विकास को भीतर से सुनिश्चित करता है और इसमें पोषण को सुनिश्चित करता है। साथ में यह बालों की मरम्मत करने की दिशा में भी कारगर है।
Washington, May 24 (IANS) US' top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said he is "not convinced" Covid-19 developed naturally, and has called for an open investigation into China to unravel the virus' origins, the media reported.Fauci was asked during a Poynter event, "United Facts of America: A Festival of Fact-Checking", earlier this month, about whether he was confident that Covid developed naturally."No actually. I am not convinced about that, I think we should continue to investigate what went on in China until we continue to find out to the best of our ability what happened," Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) was quoted as saying, Fox News reported on Sunday."Certainly, the people who investigated it say it likely was the emergence from an animal reservoir that then infected individuals, but it could have been something else, and we need to find that out. So, you know, that's the reason why I said I'm perfectly in favor of any investigation that looks into the origin of the virus," Fauci added.The Coronavirus was first reported from the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. Reports have claimed of the virus' origin from a lab there.Further, Fauci called for an investigation into China during a Senate hearing last week, the New York Post reported.aceDo you think it's possible that Covid-19 arose from a lab accident a in Wuhan, and should it be fully investigated?" Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), a doctor, asked Fauci during a Senate hearing on May 11."That possibility certainly exists, and I am totally in favour of a full investigation of whether that could have happened," Fauci replied.Another Senator had claimed that funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had been funneled to the controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology -- the Chinese lab that is believed to have played a role in the initial outbreak of Covid-19, the Fox News reported.Rand Paul specifically zeroed in on gain of function research -- which works on making pathogens deadlier or more easily transmissible. He alleged that a US virologist had been working with the Chinese institute on such research and said it was funded by the NIH."I do not have any accounting of what the Chinese may have done, and I'm fully in favour of any further investigation of what went on in China," Fauci said."However, I will repeat again, the NIH and NIAID categorically have not funded the gain of function research to be conducted in the Wuhan Institute of Virology," he addedFauci, who is also a top adviser to President Biden on the coronavirus pandemic, had in the initial months of the pandemic last year dismissed the theory that Covid originated from China. He stated that the virus most likely "evolved in nature and then jumped species", as opposed to being "artificially or deliberately manipulated".While the Trump administration officials have long argued there is a high chance Covid-19 was the result of a lab leak, the World Health Organization declared, last week, that the lab leak theory "extremely unlikely". However, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the research team's assessment on whether the virus entered the human population following a laboratory incident was not "extensive enough" and requires further investigation.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, this week, the Biden administration has conveyed both publicly and privately that the Chinese government was "not transparent from the beginning", the report said.--IANSrvt/in
New York, April 3 (IANS) Researchers have identified the biological mechanism by which chronic stress impairs hair follicle stem cells, confirming long-standing observations that stress might lead to hair loss.
In a mouse study, published in the journal Nature, the researchers found that a major stress hormone puts hair follicle stem cells into an extended resting phase, without regenerating the follicle or the hair.A
The researchers identified the specific cell type and molecule responsible for relaying the stress signal to the stem cells and showed that this pathway can be potentially targeted to restore hair growth.
"The skin offers a tractable and accessible system to study this important problem in depth, and in this work, we found that stress does actually delay stem-cell activation and fundamentally changes how frequently hair follicle stem cells regenerate tissues," said researcher Ya-Chieh Hsu from Harvard University.
The hair follicle naturally cycles between growth and rest, a process fuelled by hair follicle stem cells. During the growth phase, hair follicle stem cells become activated to regenerate the follicle and hair, and hairs grow longer each day.
During the resting phase, the stem cells are quiescent and hairs shed more easily. Hair loss can occur if the hairs shed and the stem cells remain quiescent without regenerating new tissue.
The researchers studied a mouse model of chronic stress and found that hair follicle stem cells stayed in a resting phase for a very long time without regenerating tissues.A
A major stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, corticosterone, was upregulated by chronic stress; giving mice corticosterone reproduced the stress effect on the stem cells.A
The equivalent hormone in humans is cortisol, which is often referred to as the "stress hormone."
Under normal conditions, hair follicle regeneration slows over time -- the resting phase becomes longer as the animals age.
But when the researchers removed the stress hormones, the stem cells' resting phase became extremely short and the mice constantly entered the growth phase to regenerate hair follicles throughout their life, even when they were old.
We all have dealt with summer heat and have hated it most of the time- skin explosions, sweat, and dehydration, summers are mostly about these problems. However, thanks to Ayurveda that practices the science of natural health and has a lot to offer. Summer is hot, bright, and sharp, the season of pitta. Thus, it is recommended to keep cool and not allow pitta dosha to become aggravated.
It is important to consume more basic foods to fight the heat in the body. Eat water-rich foods that will not only re-hydrate your body but also have antioxidants that keep you healthy. Consume onions, green vegetables and drink lots of water. Basically, you should ensure that no dryness instills it as it may heat the body causing various health problems.
Also, Read► Spring-Summer hair colour trend
Here are some Ayurvedic tips to keep cool this summer make sure you follow them to beat the heat.
1. Eat Pitta Pacifying Foods
As per Ayurveda, you must ensure eating foods that cool your body and give you relief from excessive heat. Load up on water-rich fruits like watermelon, pears, apples, plums, berries, and prunes. Pick vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cucumber.
2. Avoid Foods That Heat You Up
Avoid foods that will produce heat in your body and become hazardous. Avoid sour fruits, citrus fruits, beetroots, and carrots that tend to heat your body. Limit the intake of garlic, chili, tomato, sour cream, and salted cheese to avoid hampering your system. Eat more salads, as they are cooling, especially when eaten for lunch. Try avoiding dark meats as they heat your body.
3. Eat At The Right Time
Always eat when your digestive fire is at its strongest, which is during lunch (mid-day). Missing your lunch during summers is equal to upsetting your pitta dosha, making you feel irritated and cranky.
Also, Read► Stay hydrated even while being indoors this summer
4. Bring Coconut Oil To Your Rescue
According to the book, in the morning, rub 5-6 ounces of coconut oil on your body before taking a bath as a part of your daily routine. It gives a calming, cooling, and soothing effect to the skin. You can use sunflower oil alternatively.
5. Avoid Hot Drinks Or Hot Water
Drinking hot beverages will invite an upset pitta dosha. This is why you must always choose to drink beverages at room temperature to balance them.
6. Avoid Ice Cold Drinks
Ice-cold drinks only inhibit digestion and create toxins, also known as ama in the body. Your digestive system has a digestive fire that is responsible for converting food into energy. Drinking chilled is almost like putting off the digestive fire causing various health problems.
Go on and follow these important Ayurvedic tips to keep cool to beat the heat. Happy Summers!
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