Mental Health & Wellbeing with Ayurveda
by Aasiya Rizvi (Vaidya) | Published November 1st, 2024
The Global Mental Health Crisis According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 1 in 8 persons in the world live with a mental disorder. There are an array of mental disorders and these can have a significant negative impact on a person’s cognition, emotional wellbeing or behaviour. Some common mental ailments include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse, or eating disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat emotional and behaviourial disorders with therapy and by prescribing medications. Psychologists are not medical doctors but are professionally trained in providing psychotherapy to help patients as well as to derive a diagnosis. The key difference between the two, is that the former can prescribe medications.
Challenges and Barriers to Care Pakistan currently faces a shortage of both psychiatrists and qualified psychologists. Mental health concerns remain widespread in Pakistan. According to the World Health Organization, over 45 million people are estimated to suffer from mental illnesses in Pakistan, of which depression, anxiety and schizophrenia are most common. Only 10% receive proper help. Social stigma, lack of awareness or knowledge and inadequate resources or inaccessibility in certain regions – like rural areas, to reach mental health care are obstacles. At the same time, mental health illnesses are not new to the region. The ancient Traditional Medical System of the Indian Subcontinent, Ayurveda, translated as the ‘Science of Life,’ recognised mental illnesses centuries ago. An entire branch dedicated to Psychiatry was called “Graha Chikitsa”. This branch of Ayurveda still deals with diseases of the mind and psychic conditions.
Ayurveda's Ancient Wisdom on Mental Health Mental illness has been the subject of discussion throughout history. Supernatural, biological and psychological models were examined. Today, statistics have shown that social media support can be very beneficial as well as a holistic approach from Traditional Natural Medical Systems such as Ayurveda. The concept of ‘Holistic Psychology” has again gained recognition and can be very useful since the times of the ancients. Ayurveda integrates the mind, body and soul. Ayurveda also identified the causes of impaired mental health as hereditary, social circumstances, trauma, the personality of the person, biological reasons, improper diet, physical illness, overindulgence, severe stress, or unfavorable environments. Examples of imbalances in a person’s mental state (and in turn physical wellbeing), as described in Ayurveda, can also arise due to excess sorrow, anger, unnecessarily over-thinking, lust, greed, delusions, jealousy, pride, or fear. Holistic Healing Incorporating the benefits from Traditional Medical Systems, such as Ayurveda, can be very helpful. The treatment is three-fold along with general guidelines: (1) Spiritual healing, auspicious offerings such as charity, atonement, intermittent fasting, and use of sacred herbs, incense or aromatherapy; (2) The use of medications; (3) Psychotherapy.
The Ayurvedic approach towards mental illness can be curative, complementary or preventive.
Ayurveda’s Mental Health Remedies
Diet
A nourishing diet that is tailored to a person’s individual Ayurveda constitution can be very beneficial, including the consumption of fresh, seasonal and wholegrain foods versus processed foods.
Agni
Ayurveda emphasizes maintaining healthy digestion, known as "agni," to prevent toxin buildup. Key practices include mindful eating, avoiding overeating, maintaining regular meals, using healthy food combinations, and detoxifying gently through intermittent fasting.
Sleep
Establishing a regular sleep routine, creating a soothing bedtime environment, adopting restful relaxation techniques are all favourable.
Lifestyle
Balance in work or some occupation, community service and resting, alignment to the natural rhythms of the day
Netwrorking
Ayurveda recommends engaging in meaningful conversations, fostering a sense of community towards emotional wellbeing and treating others
Ojas
In Ayurveda, the term ojas describes the essence of vitality and immunity. Intake of certain nutrient dense foods, regular exercise and stress management
Prayer
Mindful activities like Prayer, yoga, and reducing screen time or loud noises.
