Mental & Physical Stability Point The point is exactly in the center of the forearm at a distance of 3 fingers from the base of the palm.

5.  Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine and white sugar, which increase vata and thus anxiety.

6.  Choose and prepare foods that support the nervous system.  Focus on whole vs. processed foods, and buy organic whenever you can to avoid chemicals.  Cook a lot of fresh vegetables, especially fresh soups and vegetables prepared with ginger and other spices.  Eating dals and kitchadi can greatly reduce the impact of daily stress.  Such foods will reduce vata (air) element and ama (toxins), and increase the rasa dhatu and ojas (the life-giving nectar that is the end result of metabolism and nourishes the immune system).

7.  Practice gentle hatha yoga daily.  The pose called shavasana is particularly helpful for anxiety.  Lie on the floor with legs spread apart and arms outstretched while you totally relax every muscle.  Stay in this pose, breathing slowly and deeply, for 15 minutes. 

8.  Meditate for at least 10 minutes a day.  Find a form of meditation or technique that you resonate with, whether you repeat a mantra, focus on a primordial sound, focus your eyes on a black spot or a candle, or use a guided imagery tape. These practices both improve your concentration and keep you centered – no matter what’s happening in your busy life!

9.  Get aerobic exercise!  Very important!  At least 15 minutes or each day!  Exercise naturally increases your body’s cellular activities, strengthens your immune system and is  one of the best relaxation therapies.   Exercise is also essential to overcoming depression.

10.  Take 1 teaspoon of Brahmi (Gotucola) powder in water twice a day – to gradually reduce the production of stress chemicals in the body, especially Cortisol. 

Stress and anxiety?  “I don’t have that kind of problem,” you might be thinking.  “I’m not one of those millions who are stressed out every day!”   Please consider this:  Do you ever feel uneasiness or feel impending doom – though there’s no real reason?  Never a little worried, confused or inattentive? Do you suffer from headaches, insomnia, indigestion, heartburn, rashes, dry skin, shortness of breath or asthma, sinusitis or heart palpitations?  Do you ever get tired suddenly for no reason?   

All of these conditions can be brought on or aggravated by stress ― both external stressors such as work pressure, deadlines, financial obligations, death of a loved one and divorce ―and the internal responses you have to these stress factors.  In addition, profound physiological stress is created by chronic illness, as people who suffer daily with a chronic illness can attest to.  As the adrenals kick into high gear, a whole series of biochemical imbalances occur.

Chief among these imbalances is the creation of more ama, or toxins.  Weak digestion or digestion compromised by stress leads to ama in the large intestine. This toxic mucus then moves into the circulatory, respiratory or mental channels. When your body is under constant stress, it creates larger amounts of chemicals – particularly Cortisol – that weaken your immune system and invite processes such as premature aging of brain cells and the body.  Long-term anxiety can result in lack of focus, unexplained and chronic exhaustion, and scores of physical complications. 

Fortunately, Ayurveda offers safe and natural support for all of these problems. 

Ayurveda points to herbal remedies for reducing anxiety that have been used effectively for many centuries.  Ayushakti has numerous Ayurvedic herbal supplements that can rebalance the body, energy channels and tissues.  These natural remedies relax the nervous system without causing drowsiness or a ‘hangover’ sensation.  They also restore power to the mind and emotions.  These formulas can help bring your body back to its original state of focus, energy, vibrant health and well-being.  Be sure to discuss any stress-related issues you are experiencing with your Ayurvedic practitioner so you can take advantage of these helpful supplements.

A well-known Manhattan artist, Robert Kushner, came to the Ayushakti clinic in the autumn of 2001.  He reported that he was experiencing major stress, had no physical energy and was mentally depressed.  Sleeping overtime because of  bad arthritic pain that kept him awake nights, he had hit rock bottom.  He attended our Manhattan health center for a pulse evaluation and began to faithfully take the herbal supplements and follow dietary recommendations. “Within a few weeks, I felt the persistent stess and depression begin to lift.  Sleep resumed its normal patterns; the pain disappeared.  Consider me one very happy person!” he later told us.

One Florida woman took anti-depressants for years in an effort to treat Fibromyalgia-like symptoms.  After only one month on Ayushakti herbs and an Ayurvedic diet, she had fewer days of that fluish, fatigued feeling and her energy was rushing back in.  Taking these herbs faithfully, she says she now feels like a brand new person.

Stress doesn’t need to be a way of life for you – or your loved ones.  Join the thousands of people who have waved goodbye to anxiety with Ayurveda and welcomed happiness and joy, the birthright of us all!