Have you ever feel frustrated, anxious and stress out during your work time ? Is this pressure affecting your personal life, social life and even relationship ?
Research has shown that emotional intelligence is twice as important as technical skills or IQ when it comes to effectiveness at work. People with high emotional well-being are better able to handle challenges at work, adapt to change, and bounce back from setbacks.
Understanding Emotional Wellbeing:
Emotional well-being is the ability to manage emotions, adapt to change, and cope with life challenges. It’s about being aware of your emotions and knowing when to seek support.
According to a definition of health given by Ayurveda, ‘The person whose doshas are in balance, whose agni [digestive fire] is good, whose dhatus [body tissues] and malas [excretion] are functioning normally and whose soul, spirit and senses are always filled with deep happiness (bliss), that person is considered healthy’. Ayurveda focuses on harmony between all doshas within body and mind.
Emotional Well-Being is paramount according to Ayurveda for good, happy and healthy life.
In other words, we are only truly healthy if our wellbeing not only encompasses a healthy body but also a healthy psyche, mind and soul – and if we feel well overall.
Being a ‘Science of Life’, Ayurveda can help us lead a stress-free and happy life. All we need is the right knowledge and healthy lifestyle.
Keys behind emotional well-being by Ayurveda:
To understand how emotional processing works, we have to look at the functioning of Sadhaka Pitta, one of the sub doshas of Pitta associated with the heart.
The agni associated with Sadhaka Pitta is responsible for processing emotions. This agni is called Sadhaka Agni. Sadhaka Agni influences the neurohormones. The neurohormones — located in the heart — send signals to the brain to register a low mood or happiness, depending on how the individual processes the experience.
Also the Manas prakruti plays important role in maintaining emotional well-being of every individual. This concept is very important and uniquely elaborated by Ayurveda.
The psychological constitution of an individual is known as ‘manas prakriti’. In terms of thoughts, motivation, response, intellect, logic, and emotion, it is the sum total of features and patterns that influence the personal and social conduct of the individual.
In Ayurveda, the role of mental constitution in the treatment of ailments is widely recognized. Ayurveda explains manas dosha, manas Prakriti and classification of mental disorders distinctly. This is helpful in determining predisposition and vulnerability to stressors and their consequences. This drives the person to think, feel, and act in certain ways; and makes each person unique.
Manas Prakriti is made up of the three Maha Gunas, Satva – clarity, truth, balance, wisdom, focus. Raja – action, passion, energy, movement. Tama – state of inertia, inactivity and lethargy.
A person who has balanced Sadhaka Agni and harmony within manas gunas will process negative emotions appropriately, in a manner that does not leave a painful impression.
Emotional well-being and its association with doshas:
When prakrut doshas get vitiated and causes disturbances in harmony, then it leads to emotional disturbances.
For example, excessive Kapha can often cause lack of motivation, lethargy and sad thoughts, the excess of the Pitta dosha can manifest as anger or irritation. Excessive Vata dosha will leads to anxiety, sleeplessness and fatigue.
A good daily routine, a dosha-harmonising diet and the right supplements for the dominant dosha, such as Vata, Pitta and Kapha Balance, can help us restore our dosha balance.
Symptoms associated with impaired emotional well-being:
Frequent feelings of anxiousness or emptiness, a loss of interest and pleasure in activities, fatigue, irritability, social withdrawal, acting-out behaviors, family conflict, occasionally feeling blue, down, sad or simply emotionally bogged down are symptoms associated with impaired emotional wellness.
The seasons, and any major life changes, such as a divorce, major financial problems, an illness, or death of a loved one are all common triggers for emotional imbalance.
Dosha predominance and associated symptoms:
In Ayurveda, the inability to process emotions in a timely manner is seen as the main cause of emotional imbalances.
Here are some group of symptoms associated with particular dosha predominance.
In predominant Vata dosha – Restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, lack of endurance, thought overload are common symptoms associated with Vata predominant emotional impairment.
In predominant Pitta Dosha – Irritability, impatience, hypercriticism, heat sensations, outbursts of rage are common symptoms associated with pitta predominant emotional impairment.
In predominant Kapha Dosha- Sadness, listlessness, difficulty letting go, feeling of heaviness, weakness, tendency to sleep too long are common symptoms associated with kapha predominant emotional impairment.
Benefits of positive emotional well-being:
- Lower risk of disease, sickness, and injury.
- Faster recovery after being sick or getting injured.
- Improved mental health.
- Being able to bounce back from negative experiences (resilience).
- Stronger relationships and higher self-esteem.
- Having a sense of contentment, meaning, and purpose in life.
- Better productivity and performance at work.
Skills associated with good emotional well-being are:
- Happiness Skills.
- Mindfulness Skills.
- Positive Thinking Skills.
- Resilience Skills.
Solutions from Ayurveda – For Cultivating Harmony and Joy.
Impaired Sadhak pitta or inbalances within manas guna are responsible for impairment in emotional well-being. These imbalances are caused by various reasons including constant stress, altered lifestyle and poor nutritional intake.
Ayurveda focuses on restoring the balance through techniques that nourish wellness.
The main treatment principle for maintaining good emotional well-being is Satvavajaya. The word means triumphing with Satva. ‘Satva’ means the positive, pure qualities of the transcendental Self. This experience is nourished and unfolded using a variety of Ayurvedic techniques. The more one is in connection (union) with this powerful, silent field of consciousness, the more they feel uplifted, blissful and emotionally stable.
Ayurvedic therapies help restore the connection between heart, mind and self. They include dietary, herbal, behavioral and environmental tactics that allow one to become more established in Satva – a state of stable, enduring balance and happiness – sometimes described as a field of bliss.
More about Satvavajaya Chikitsa:
Satvavajaya Chikitsa is a non-pharmacological Ayurvedic psychotherapy that aims to control the mind and help people manage psychiatric, psychological, and psychosomatic ailments. It is also known as treatment by self control.
Satvavajaya Chikitsa can help people with mental disorders by encouraging personal development. It can also be used to treat systemic disorders.
Satvavajay is method to restrain the mind from desires of unhealthy objects or actions. It is possible by increasing satva guna of mind.
When Raja guna is dominating mind will be in the state of kshipt (craving). It is a state of excessive flactuations and agitation. It is stirring up or arousing with disturbance of tranquillity. It shows physical excitement and perturbation. When Tamas guna is dominating mind will be in the state of mudh( forgetful). It becomes dull and innert, devoid of qualities like determination. Person will be slothful, lazy or idle.
Satvavjay is the technique to reduce raj, tam and increase sattva. So it helps to improve peace of mind and right actions of body. It can be achieved by specific type of meditation, physical activities and counselling.
Satvavjay is helpful in following manner-
- Prevent impairment of intellect, patience, and memory.
- Help people discriminate between thoughts and actions.
- Divert mind and help people commit to other activities.
- Regulate thought process.
- Stimulate consciousness.
Satvavajaya Chikitsa can be used to manage academic stress in adolescents and other stress factors also.
Proper lifestyle:
A healthy lifestyle can help improve emotional well-being.
- Physical activity: Regular exercise can help improve your mental health. You can try taking a walk, yoga for the same.
- Healthy eating: A healthy diet can help improve your mental health. Healthy diet routine and balancing your predominant dosha according to Prakruti is very important in maintaining good emotional well-being.
- Sleep: Getting enough sleep can help improve your mental health. It is main pillar of good health according to Ayurveda.
- Avoid unhealthy substances: Avoid smoking, vaping, and using other tobacco products, and limit alcohol use.
- Practice self-care: Take time for yourself, practice relaxation techniques, and embrace self-care.
- Practice gratitude: Give yourself credit for the good things you do, and practice gratitude.
- Spend time with friends: Surround yourself with positive, healthy people.
- Take on small steps: Make small changes in your life, and keep trying if you don’t succeed immediately.
- Reach out for support: Get external support from friends, family, partners, or colleagues.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness can help improve emotional wellness by helping people become more aware of their present moment and emotions without judgment. This can help people avoid destructive habits and responses, and change their emotional patterns.
- Yoga and pranayama-
- Mindful walking: Notice your breath, sights, and sounds while walking. When thoughts and worries come up, note them and then return to the present.
- Mindful eating: Be aware of the taste, texture, and flavor of each bite, and listen to your body when you’re hungry and full. Mindful eating practices strengthen the agni for good digestion. This helps remove toxins and waste from the digestive system. Ayurveda encourages seasonal eating along with mindful eating to help the digestive enzymes, which are proteins made in your body to break down food.
- Take care of your physical health: Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and be active.
- Set priorities: Try to balance your work and personal life, and moderation in all things.
- Question your thoughts: Try to turn around any negative thoughts by coming up with three reasons why a new thought might be true.
- Be kind to yourself: Remember that good days for your wellbeing won’t always look the same.
This practice can help you think, feel, and act in ways that improve your emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Managing stress:
Being able to cope with stress is an important part of emotional well-being. Improving emotional well-being can benefit your mental and physical health. It can also enhance your social connections to other people and your community.
Identifying, processing, and expressing emotions in healthy ways are most important steps in managing stress. People with positive emotional well-being can still feel sad or stressed during tough times. But they can manage these challenges better.
Emotionally healthy people are typically in control of their thoughts, feelings, and actions and can cope with life’s challenges and bounce back from life’s setbacks. Being emotionally healthy doesn’t mean that we;re never sad or angry or frustrated.
Having good emotional health is a key part of fostering resiliency, self-awareness, and an overall sense of well-being. Having the skills to maintain good emotional health is key if we want to succeed and thrive in our professional and personal lives.