Ayurvedic Remedies for Stress: Fight the COVID-19 Anxiety

The year 2020 brought so much into everyone’s plate. What began as a year filled with possibilities as the new decade turns became a source of stress and uncertainty for many. It’s difficult when you experience things such as losing a job, getting someone in the household sick, seeing a loved one die, or even life’s simple pleasures being withheld from you. The isolation, fears of getting the virus, as well as the fact that the world is going in an uncharted territory makes a lot of people live under a cloud of anxiety.

Anxiety by the numbers
Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder. Approximately 40% of Americans have suffered from anxiety at some point in their lives, and these only include the population who have diagnosable disorders. The percentage may even be higher especially for those who do not report their condition or are unaware that they are experiencing anxiety.

The situation is even more highlighted under the world’s current state. World Health Organization and other official institutions released resources about how people can maintain their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The information guidelines are created in response to the growing numbers of people suffering from anxiety and other mental health illnesses during the pandemic.

What can people do?
Typically, people resort to going to mental health clinics to receive counseling and therapy for COVID-19 related anxiety. However, at this time where social distancing measures are in place, individuals resort to self-management techniques that they can do at home. One of the best ways to do this is through Ayurvedic treatments, a holistic and natural way to relieve symptoms of anxiety.

The healing properties of Ayurvedic treatments
Why are ayurvedic treatments so powerful when it comes to relieving anxiety? It is rooted in the principle of Ayurveda, a traditional practice of medicine originating from India. Ayurvedic practitioners believe that disease is often caused by life stressors. When one experiences relief from stress, one can also receive healing from different kinds of diseases.

This ancient principle has been proven effective, and as such many health care centers, clinics, and treatment centers for alcoholism and drug addiction adopt these techniques in their roster of client management.

Below are some of the most well-known Ayurvedic strategies you can start at home to relieve anxiety.

Have an Ayurvedic morning routine
The way you begin your mornings can dictate your outlook for the day. Ayurvedic experts recommend having a routine that can help you fight stress by releasing toxins and achieving a state of calmness.
Some things you can incorporate in the Ayurvedic morning routine are:

• Washing one’s face with a particular focus on the eyes
• Emptying the bladder and bowels
• Tongue scraping and brushing teeth, and complete mouth rinsing
• Deep breathing
• Taking a warm bath

These Ayurvedic routines that can be done during the start of your day are healing to the body and put you in the right frame of mind to battle stressors.

Self-massage in times of tension
If you’re experiencing some sort of tension or anxious thoughts within the day, one Ayurvedic strategy that can help is self-massage. Self-massaging has benefits and is convenient for people in relieving muscle tension.

Experts recommend massaging major stress regions such as the neck, shoulders, hands, and feet using the tips of the fingers or your palms. It is also recommended to use oils in these simple massages, such as coconut oil, safflower oil, or castor oil. Spread drops of the oil at the palm of your hands and fingers, while rubbing your hands afterward.

If you have time for a full-body massage, you can also receive an Abhyanga treatment using massage oils to fight daily stressors.

Use aromas to calm anxiety
The pleasing smell of flowers and plants can also lower stress levels. This is why the practice is aromatherapy is associated with Ayurveda as well.

Some suggestions to simply incorporate pleasing aromas in your home are:

• Bringing in fresh flowers and placing them in areas where you usually stay
• Using a diffuser for essential oils
• Placing potpourri in a container for long-lasting smells
• Using essential oils mixed with coconut oil for self-massage

Drinking and eating Ayurvedic food and beverages
Ayurvedic-approved beverages can be drunk throughout the day such as Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha tea. These teas have relaxing properties that keep your sense of calm as you begin your daily tasks.

Aside from beverages, food is also an essential way to free your mind from anxieties related to COVID-19. Some inclusions in your diet are berries, bananas, and sweet orange. According to the Ayurveda practice, these fruits are known to contain Vitamin C and B6, which is essential for immunity and mood regulation.

Another recommendation is eating coconut flesh and water. Ayurvedic experts believe that the coconut plant is a superfood, and contains potassium which relieves muscle tension. Other items include leafy green vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Overall, the principle of eating whole foods while avoiding red meat and processed items are central to the Ayurvedic diet.

Fight Stress Naturally: Try Ayurvedic Strategies
As our bodies respond to the external things we cannot control, one of the most powerful ways to heal it is from within. Using these simple Ayurvedic remedies, you can fight the anxieties you face in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.