STRESS AND IT'S MANAGEMENT IN AYURVEDA

STRESS AND IT'S MANAGEMENT IN AYURVEDA Stress on the job creates a variety of symptoms, including anxiety, fatigue, increased anger, problems with relationships, inability to focus properly, stress headaches, insomnia and a variety of stress-related diseases. Stress results when the mind, body or emotions receives an overload of stimulus, whether good or bad. Workplace stress occurs when the mind is not able to handle day-to-day events and challenges. Some people seem to handle daily challenges without any evidence of stress, while others are stressed by the normal changes that the modern workplace presents. This lack of ability to handle daily stress is due to an imbalance, or lack of coordination between the three main mental functions of dhi (learning), dhriti (retention), and smriti (long-term memory). Ayurveda offers many recommendations for strengthening these mental functions, and thus gives the person more resilience to stress. Another cause of stress is people misusing or overusing their minds, which creates an imbalance in Prana Vata, the subdosha of Vata involved with mental functions. For example, when someone takes a job that doesn't suit them or their abilities, or if they use their minds for something that they know is wrong, that is misuse. Overuse simply means working too many hours, which is a common cause of workplace stress today. If left uncorrected, the misuse or overuse of the mind also results in disturbed coordination between dhi, dhriti and smriti. There are many different types of stresses facing the worker today. Let's start with mental stress. When Prana Vata, the subdosha of Vata When Prana and Vyana Vata (the subdosha located in the heart that supports circulation) together are disturbed, it affects not only the mind, but the communication between the heart and the mind, thus creating mental and emotional stress simultaneously. Emotional stress is usually associated with an imbalance in Sadhaka Pitta, the subdosha of Pitta that supports the emotions and is seated in the heart. These imbalances come into play when people are under pressure at work. When feeling stressed, a person with one of these imbalances may have a tendency to blame the boss, the economy or co-workers for his or her problems. While it may be true in some situations that someone's boss is having a negative influence, many other times this blaming pattern is due to an imbalance in Prana Vata, Vyana Vata or Sadhaka Pitta imbalance. Due to these imbalances, the mental functions of dhi, dhriti and smriti do not work together in a coordinated way, or the mind and heart do not communicate normally. Unable to solve his or her own problems due to these imbalances, the person blames others. Unfortunately, the tendency to blame others doesn't help solve the problem, and in fact, only worsens the situation by breaking down relationships on the job. If left unchecked, this imbalance of the doshas sets up a vicious cycle that could even lead to the employee getting fired or laid off. If you find yourself blaming your boss or your co-workers for problems on the job, it's a good idea to look at how you are feeling in other relationships. Are you feeling positive with your friends and family, or are you also blaming them? If the blaming pattern is repeated in other non-work-related relationships, that's a good indication that you need to that supports mental functions, gets disturbed, the coordination between dhi, dhriti and smriti breaks down. Mental stress results. do something to balance your doshas. If you are unable to perceive the reality of life, which is blissful, that is an indication of Pragya-aparadh, or mistake of the intellect. Charaka Samhita, a major ayurvedic text, defines Pragya-aparadh as the lack of coordination between dhi, dhriti and smriti. Pragya-aparadh is the source of all disease, because disease originates when the heart, mind or body becomes loses its connection with nature's intelligence. When we lose the memory of bliss, the connection with our own true nature in pure consciousness, this is the source of disease, stress and ill-health in the body. The recommendations of Ayurveda aim to restore the balanced functioning of the doshas, of mind, body and emotions--and thus to restore the connection of every part of life to bliss consciousness, which is our true nature. It is simply not true that you have to stress yourself in order to achieve. No one can produce or be creative if their dhi, dhriti or smriti is out of balance. It is true that some people thrive in more fast-paced, stimulating jobs. But it's important to understand that for these people, a high degree of challenge and stimulus is not a stress. If someone has 100% balance of dhi, dhriti and smriti, they won't feel stressed no matter what the environment presents to them. This is the ideal, to always feel blissful no matter what the challenge. There are two things that determine how much stress you can handle and still feel blissful on the job. One is your body type. It's not realistic to think, "I can handle any stress," because the amount you can comfortably handle may be less or more than your co-workers, due to differences in your constitution and make-up. As an analogy, you can think about the stress test that is used to test steel. A certain amount of weight is applied to the steel, to test how much stress the steel can handle. Different types of steel have different degrees of strength. In the same way, different people have different abilities to handle stress. But it's also important to increase your capacity to handle stress, since stress is a feature of modern life. No matter what your body type, Ayurveda offers practical ways to increase the coordination between dhi, dhriti and smriti so anyone can pass the stress test at work, at home, or in meeting the challenges of life. It's important to be aware of your set point of comfort, and at the same time to increase coordination of dhi, dhriti and smriti so you are able to handle more stress. There should always be a cushion there, so you are able to feel blissful throughout the day. A person's doshic makeup gives us insights into the types of stress they can handle. For instance, if a person has more Vata dosha predominating, he or she may be more susceptible to mental stress. While many Vata types do well in creative or mental jobs, it could create too much stress if the mental workload is intense. Vata types do best if they have moderately relaxing jobs, without excessive mental or physical activity. Pitta types should avoid jobs that make excessive demands on the emotions, since they are more susceptible to that type of stress. And both Pitta and Vata types should avoid doing jobs that require working at night, as night work imbalances both Vata and Pitta. Kapha types can thrive on jobs that involve intense mental, physical or emotional activity, and even though it's not desirable from an ayurvedic viewpoint, they can handle night work. What is not healthy for a Kapha type is a job that is too relaxing or laid back, because Kapha types need stimulating activity to keep Kapha dosha in balance. Having said this, it's important to realize that you can do any job if you take care to keep your doshas in balance. For instance, many people with Vata body types have very active, demanding jobs, but they are able to main tain their balance through the recommendations of Ayurveda. It all depends on how much you are able to implement the suggestions for maintaining balance. It's best to start today, rather than reading about it and thinking, "That's a good idea. I'll start tomorrow. For many people, tomorrow never comes. Mental, physical, emotional and environmental stress be neutralized through the holistic practices of Ayurveda. Actually, all of these types of stress are interconnected, which is why the methods used to correct them must be holistic and address the source of stress. HERBS TO RELIEVE STRESS To Balance Emotional Stress Blissful Joy balances Sadhaka Pitta, and improves the coordination of heart and mind. Stress Free Emotions is another powerful formulation for emotional health. If you are feeling emotional stress, negativity toward your boss or co-workers, or sadness, try Arjuna, Winter Cherry, Shankapushpi, Mica Bhasma, Pearl Bhasma and Holy Basil to help improve coordination of mind and emotions. Arjuna, Mica Bhasma, Pearl Bhasma, Cabbage Rose and Leptadenia help support emotional stability by improving self-confidence, positive thinking, motivation and feeling of fulfillment. All of the herbs together create the synergistic effect of supporting resistance to emotional stress. Calcium is very important in nourishing the brain and fortifying it against stress. As we discussed earlier, the brain can only use high-quality nutrients. Leftover calcium that is not absorbed will only become ama It doesn't matter how many calcium supplements you take. Unless the calcium is of high quality and includes the herbs for proper absorption by th (toxins), and inhibit the normal functioning of the brain. e brain and the body, they are not going to help you. The Indian Tinospora plant aids metabolism and helps clear the channels between the tissues, thus increasing the flow of nutrients and energy to the cells. Remarkably, along with Hemidesmus Indicus it also purifies and balances the fat tissue, which is the raw material for building healthy bones, teeth, hair and nails. Amla boosts the bioavailability and absorption of calcium, and in combination with Lemon, supports the neutral nature of the formula. Phyllanthus is a rasayana, or healing elixir, for the liver, helping to strengthen and purify the body's ability to digest calcium instead of turning it into ama. ABOUT DIET Foods that increase the ability to handle stress are soaked walnuts, soaked almonds and sweet, juicy fruits. These are medhya, or enlivening to the connection between dhi, dhriti and smriti. Milk also is medhya, as is Ghee. These foods supply the brain with intelligent, easily digestible protein and glucose. To nourish the brain, it's important to combine the best quality glucose and protein together in a balanced way. For example, soak nuts and seeds overnight and then blend them in a drink with dates and raisins. This provides a balance between glucose and protein. Panir (a fresh cheese made from milk), lentils, and other split beans and pulses are also excellent sources of protein for the brain, but because they are naturally a bit heavier, they should be cooked with spices to make them easily digestible. Always use olive oil or Ghee for cooking, and sauté spices such as turmeric, black pepper and cumin. These common spices are excellent aids for nourishing the brain and fortifying it against stress. Turmeric has been found to help prevent Alzheimer's and other degenerative brain diseases. Black pepper enhances the ability to absorb more nutrients from food, thus helping to supply the brain with nutrition and oxygen. Black pepper also has the property of increasing Medhya agni, the agni or digestive process existing in the gap between dhi, dhriti and smriti, which enhances the transformation of thought. Cumin opens the channels of the brain, thus improving coordination. Ginger also helps the brain absorb more nutrients by burning ama, or toxins, from the digestive tract. Eating intelligent foods is extremely important for feeding the brain. If you eat something less intelligent, such as dead, old, packaged, canned or frozen foods, the brain cells are not going to be able to use the food, creating leftovers, or waste-products such as ama. If the situation continues for some time, the more reactive toxin called amavisha can form, which can lead to Alzheimer's and other problems related to the brain. Ama and amavisha also block the channels of communication and flow of intelligence between dhi, dhriti and smriti; between the heart and the mind; and between the brain and hormones throughout the body. If ama is blocking this natural communication, what happens is that people feel fatigued without even working hard. This starts a chain reaction, where brain fatigue causes a worker to make mistakes and wrong decisions on the job, which in turn invites more stress and fatigue. The tendency when this kind of syndrome sets in is to blame others, when in fact, the problem is malnourishment of the brain due to eating foods that are not intelligent and create ama. HOW TO RELIEVE STRESS AT JOB Stretch and breathe deeply even when indoors to energize the body and bring more oxygen to the brain Drinking warm fluids throughout the day also helps in detoxifying and the body. Warm, non-caffeinated fluids also help reduce Vata dosha and mental stress. Many times people experience fatigue and headache on the job due to simple dehydration. This is especially a problem in windowless office buildings that rely on dry, forced air for heating and cooling. If you feel hungry during the workday, eat healthy snacks instead of junk food from vending machines. If you feel at all angry or emotionally stressed, eating a sweet, juicy pear can reduce Pitta dosha and have an immediate effect in balancing your emotions. TO RELIEVE COMPUTER STRESS Keep an indoor plant next to your computer. The plant will provide some cooling, nourishing lunar energy, to counteract the hot, active, solar energy of the computer. Stretch and looking away from the computer every half-hour, to give your eyes and back a rest. Breathe deeply. It also helps to invest in an ergonomic keyboard, which is designed to prevent your back and shoulder muscles from becoming so tense. An ergonomically designed desk and chair also can help, and your company may pay for this. Be sure to sit up straight and avoid hunching over at the computer, as this certainly increases mental and physical stress. Good posture lessens stress on the body and increases the flow of oxygen and energy to the brain. At home, yoga asanas on a daily basis will help relax muscular stress, strengthen the eyes, and promote good posture. Make sure your home activities provide a break from the computer. It's not a good idea to spend your free time watching a screen by playing computer games, doing e-mail, shopping on the Internet or watching TV. At the very least, stop using electro-magnetic devices such as computer or TV by 8:00 p.m. Instead, take a walk in the moonlight, visit a friend, sit under a tree, play a game outdoors with your children, or listen to soothing music. Engage in real conversations and real interactions. There is an interesting phenomenon growing in this country, where some people are basically depriving themselves of real sensory experiences and contact with real people. Instead they engage in virtual reality by working at a computer all day at work, and then when they come home, they continue to watch TV or use the computer. Where are the hours of blissful engagement with nature, with real people and family members in such a lifestyle? It's possible to even become confused as to what is real and what isn't, and to allow TV characters or e-mail correspondents substitute for real friends, real relationships. This is not a healthy situation, and will not lead to real bliss or the growth of enlightenment. And it certainly causes mental, physical and emotional stress. You may notice that the therapies of Ayurveda engage the senses. Aroma therapy, whole foods, natural supplements, massage, music therapy and lifestyle recommendations involve the five senses and connect us with the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space in some way. We use the senses as a way to create balance and prevent stress, and our whole lifestyle should reflect that kind of balance. Even the technique of Transcendental Meditation uses subtle sound to enliven all of the senses. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP AND STRESS There is a very strong connection between sleep deprivation and stress. If you don't sleep right, you actually lose 200%. This is because healthy sleep creates ojas, the biochemical equivalent of good health, bliss, and a balanced, stress-free body, heart and mind. So if you don't sleep well, or you don't get enough sleep, you will miss out on the benefits of creating ojas. But worse, lack of sleep will create ama, or toxins, which block the channels and destroy communication between dhi, dhriti and smriti; between heart and mind; and between self and mind. Ultimately that means lack of strength to handle day-to-day stress. Stress and sleep are so interconnected that stress almost always is associated with lack of sleep in some way. Sometimes people habitually stay up past 10:00 p.m., and thus create stress in their lives. As stress accumulates and ama continues to destroy the communication between the brain and heart, and the different aspects of the mind, the person finds that they can't sleep even when they want to. The key is to maintain an ayurvedic routine, going to bed well before 10:00 p.m. and rising before sunrise , practice deep breathing exercise in the morning, and meditation. sijusm@gmail.com