Recently I realized that anxiety has ruled my life…forever it seems. I could say that I was actually born with a sensitive
nervous system because my poor mother was witness to my frequent whining when I did not have the understanding or words to express my distress about the way my nervous system was affected by my environment.
With the world situation the way it is, often combined with personal challenges, I suspect that many people these days are afflicted with the symptoms of anxiety, maybe even yourself. It manifests in many ways—
- irritability (a big one for me)
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
- difficulty concentrating (yup)
- feeling tense in any area of the body (oh ya)
- easily fatigued or overwhelmed (me, always)
- restlessness, knee bouncing, foot or finger tapping (um, yes)
- shallow and/or short breath
- frequent worrying
- the inclination to avoid situations that might trigger anxiety
- a feeling of being on high alert (exhausting)
- a sense of foreboding as if something bad is going happen
- increased heart rate
- gut health problems such as constipation or diarrhea or both (sigh, yes)
The nervous system is regulated by rhythms
An Ayurvedic lifestyle encourages rhythm and routine in daily life in order to calm Vata, the air and space elements reflected in our mind and physiology. When Vata is out of balance it can lead to any of the symptoms of anxiety. To balance the Vata elements within us (which we all have), Ayurveda prompts us to:
- eat three meals a day, at about the same time
- sleep and arise around the same times
- follow a regular calming bedtime routine and a nourishing morning routine
- take alone time to pray and/or meditate at regular times each day
- have a routine of rest and activity, e.g. work 8 hours, relax 8 hours, sleep 8 hours each day; work 6 days, rest 1 day each week; work 48 weeks, vacation 4 weeks each year or, ideally, work 12 weeks and vacation 1 week each season
- embrace the rhythm of the seasons by adopting seasonal foods and activities
All of these serve to keep the nervous system regulated in order to calm the anxiety.
How a regular Day of Rest can create calm and help relieve anxiety
Do you have a tendency to overwork? I know I do.
And do you also have symptoms of anxiety? I know I do.
Some years ago, a neighbour dropped in for a visit on a Sunday. I was busy working hard at something or other. I noticed she was very relaxed. She said to me, "Sandra, why are you working today? It's Sunday. When do you take your day of rest so you can relax and recuperate?" Up until that time I hadn't
thought of the importance of taking one whole day off work to just BE and enjoy life. Now I know it's an important part of the cycle of activity and rest.
So what would happen if you reserved one day a week just for unstructured relaxation and enjoyment? It doesn't have to be a Sunday. It can be whatever day works for you on an ongoing basis, and it can be with others or alone, whatever you feel you need. Here's what could happen:
- your mind could become more quiet. You begin to breathe again with long relaxed exhalations. You have insights and realizations about your emotional and psychological needs.
- your body could become less tense and you could recognize what your body needs...maybe movement, maybe nourishment, maybe self care
- you could become more creative. OMG imagine the possibilities!
How to take advantage of a day of rest
As you enter into the rhythm of taking one rest day per week, you might find that the fatigue is overwhelming and you might indeed want to...well...just rest...without electronics though because that only increases anxiety. Just read, eat nourishing food, take a gentle walk, listen to relaxing music, sleep, and do it all again.
As you become more rested, your "day off" might look like this:
- A Vata type person needs to just let go of everything that creates stress and busy-ness for them...the people, places and things. Instead they might engage in creativity...sewing, knitting, art, writing. Go on a solo artist's date, someplace that stimulates the senses. Also a walk in nature would be grounding. And chats with friends will fulfill a Vata person's need to communicate.
- A Pitta type person needs to reduce their intense approach to life, let go of work and just play! How about a non-competitive sport, just for the fun of it. Have a social gathering or an outdoor adventure and let someone else do the organizing :)
- A Kapha type person needs to get up off the couch and do some serious movement. This is the best way for them to feel stimulated and remove the heavy state of mind they can get into that can lead to too much mental rumination. So spend the "rest" day doing aerobic type activities such as cycling, hiking, swimming, rowing, skating, skiing. Afterwards, get together with friends or family to give and receive big hugs and have a great meal
together.
So tell me...Can you resolve to reserve one day per week just to relax and enjoy? What would that look like for you? Send me an email and let me know. I'd love to get to know you.
Do you need help with your anxiety?
Did you know that each individual is unique in terms of what is required to calm their anxiety? That's because our bodily constitution determines which lifestyle routines, activities and nourishment will best bring us to balance. I have a special intuitive ability to see the whole and bring it all together to provide you with the personalized seasonal
protocol that will move your health forward. Check it out here and get in touch with me soon. I take only ONE new client each week.
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Enjoy your new-found Day of Rest!
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