Mental Health Solutions 

Many of us suffer from sadness, loneliness, stress, depression, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts in today's time. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made the circumstances more critical. As a result, the risk of deteriorating mental health increased more.

It is imperative to have the proper physical and mental health balance between leading a healthy, wellness, and happy life. But how can we do that to improve mental health and prevent mental illness? 

You might be amazed to know the Ayurveda has wonderfully explained the psychological diseases that harm both the body and state of mind. Yes, you guessed it right. Ayurveda treats mental illness and disorders. Initially, it finds the origin of the problem. Then, after that, treating the problem using various strategies to improve mental health. Let's see how Ayurveda defines mental health issues and tips to improve mental health.

Ayurveda About mental health

As per Indian Ayurveda, a healthy mind plays a significant role in your overall health. Good health is a balance of doshas and attributes of mind (Gunas). An imbalance between these two creates problems and even mental health illness.

Did you know that how you will react to stress depends on your dosha type? Let's learn more about the activities to improve mental health. 

DOSHA

If your Vata dosha is dominant, then you will be hypersensitive, easily disturbed, and unstable. A Vata mind can quickly feel fear, anxiety and have compulsive thinking.

If you have a Pitta mind, then you will get frustrated and angry in a stressful situation. There are chances for aggression, blaming as well as fight. These signs show your insecurity level.

If you have a Kapha mind, then you will feel heavy, clouded, and dull. You want to sleep for long hours.

The Attributes of Mind (The Gunas) 

Gunas are nothing but energies that influence your perception, thoughts, emotions, and responses towards any situation. Therefore, we require these energies for the proper functioning of the mind and to prevent mental illness. If you have any gunas in excess, it can create an imbalance and may also cause mental health illness.

Rajas Guna communicates activeness, enthusiasm, and a yearning for attention and power. However, when this guna gets imbalanced, the person gets aggressive.

Sattva Guna communicates peace, kindness, and intelligence. It is balanced energy that we all need to prevent mental health illness.

Tamas Guna communicates steadiness. If it gets imbalanced, it can result in laziness, stubbornness, selfishness, dullness, and ignorance.

According to Ayurvedic practitioners, negative feelings obstruct the energy flow and create a mental disorder and even mental ullness. Therefore, one of the tips to improve mental health is need to get treatment on time to remove the impurities and restore Sattva to improve mental health.

Remember, good habits, diet, and lifestyle play a crucial part in Ayurvedic mental health treatment to improve mental health and to prevent mental health illness.

Ayurvedic Tips to Improve Mental Health - Improve Sattva

Sattva is an attribute of the mind that can cure mental illness. It brings peace, kindness, and intelligence. Therefore, we should work to increase Sattva guna to improve health. There are the following ways to improve it.

(a) Meditation: Meditation increases Sattva and is a good ayurveda mental health treatment. It helps to concentrate on the present scenario. It wipes away the stress and brings inner peace. Meditation is not a new thing. People have been practicing meditation for thousands of years. Meditation is considered a type of supportive mind-body healer and is a part of self-care activities to improve mental health.

(b) Yoga: Yoga is beneficial to deal with any physical or mental disorder. The doctor has recommended doing yoga and breathing exercises to deal with Covid-19 anxiety. You can search for various yoga asanas on YouTube as ayurveda mental health treatment to calm your body and are among good tips and activities to improve mental health.

(c) Sattvik Food: Sattvik food means light and simple food that is easy to digest. It contains natural, fresh fruits and vegetables. To improve mental health you should avoid processed food and food that contains sugar and is also a form of ayurveda mental health treatment that can prevent mental health illness.

1. d) Sadvritta: Sadvritta means good conduct for the balanced state of life. Ayurveda has many secrets to living a happy life to improve mental health and prevent mental illness. Sadvrutta is one of those secrets. Good personal and social behavior is an ayurveda mental health treatment that gives hitha ayu and sukha ayu. Hitha ayu refers to life beneficial to society, and sukha ayu relates to life, giving individual happiness and most importantly prevent mental illness.

(e) Helping Others: Helping others can lessen stress and is among activities to improve mental health. Also, it helps to build a support system.  

Eat these Ayurvedic Superfoods 

There are Ayurveda-approved herbs for mental health treatment that are holistic approaches that soothe you when you feel too depressed and improve mental health.

(a) Brahmi: Brahmi is an Ayurveda-approved mental health treatment herb. It is a memory booster and helps to improve mental health. As per studies, Brahmi has calming, anti-stress properties that affect the central nervous system. Also, it guards the brain against the adverse side effects of anxiety or stress. Therefore, daily intake of Brahmi juice or leaves helps to win the battle against anxiety and depression.

(b) Ashwagandha: There is no doubt in the fact that ashwagandha is a well-known herb as ayurveda mental health treatment. It has multiple health benefits like boosting stamina, immunity, and decreasing inflammation. Along with these benefits, it lessens anxiety also. It has anti-stress properties and hence useful tips to improve mental health.

(c) Tulsi: Tulsi helps to deal with chronic stress and is a good herb for ayurveda mental health treatment. If you ignore it, this stress can quickly turn into a mental health disorder.

(d) Bhringraj: If you think it is suitable only for your scalp, then you are highly mistaken. When you use it as herbal tea, it gives you impressive results and are among easy tips to improve mental health. It detoxifies your body, increases oxygen supply to your brain, and makes your brain more robust. It enables us to wipe off stress, and better manage its effects.

(f) Ghee: Ghee has calming and anti-depressant properties. Daily consumption of ghee helps you to soothe mild anxiety symptoms and is an ayurveda mental health treatment. If you are experiencing any other health issues, consult your doctor before consuming ghee.

Other Ayurvedic Herbs Practices - AYURVEDIC TIPS

Cleansing Therapies as ayurveda mental health treatment: Cleansing therapy is an old method of healing. You can try massages and therapies as activities to improve mental health.

(a) Abhyanga: Abhyanga means self-massage. 

(b) Nasya: Nasya means applying sesame oil or herbs in the nostrils.

(c) Shirodhara: Shirodhara means pouring warm medicated oil on the forehead.

(d)  Panchakarma:  Panchakarma means a complete, individualized therapeutic cleansing.

Nourish Relationships

It is essential to be connected socially to prevent mental health illness. Yes, I understand; we need to maintain social distance to keep ourselves safe. But for your mental health, it is crucial to nourish your relationships, not physically but emotionally. You can conduct social meetings virtually as tips to improve mental health. You can talk to your family and friends through video calls if they are not around you.

To cure Mental Illness is the call of the hour in the pandemic. Many of us have lost loved ones in the Covid-19 battle. Grief can cause Vata imbalance and lead to mental illness. You can try various Ayurvedic practices such as Pranayama to deal with this stressful time. Don't delay asking a professional for help. You can call or text a crisis helpline if you're pessimistic, anxious, or feel self-destructive.

"There is nothing wrong with seeking help because your life is valuable." 

Authored by: Vijeta Rana

About the Author: Vijeta Rana is a Wellness and Fitness Blogger from Punjab, India