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 How to Manage Stress
During Covid-19 Pandemic
Stress, a physiological symptom, can have lasting consequences on
our long term health and is also the culprit to many heart related
diseases. For the sake of our health and the health of our
Community, many of us have lost our typical routines to the mercy of
Covid-19 precautions. Ayurveda, a 5000 yr old holistic Health System
originating from India and the sister science to Yoga, meaning
“Science of Life” believes in dinacharya (daily routine) for
Alambana (support). Contrary to the disruptions of our typical
routines caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Dinacharya provides
certainty during uncertain times and sets a predictable foundation
and support system for ourselves. With adoption of a dinacharya
practice, you will have higher immunity and become less susceptible
to stress causing emotions like anxiety and fear.
Simple Ayurveda practices can include; tongue scraping, neti pot,
Abhyanga (body oiling), dry brushing, Yoga postures, Meditation,
Mantra (prayer), Nasya Oil, oil pulling, Cooking w/ spices,
Pranayama (breath practices),and a walk in nature. It’s important to
start simple to avoid overwhelming yourself. By choosing to adapt a
few of these, you will become resilient to the daily triggers that
create stress. By repatterning your daily routine, with newly
adapted habits, you will support your Swastha (health).
Avoid overstimulating your indriyas (senses) with too much intake
from social media, watching television, listening to podcasts or
music, overeating, constant chores, movement, etc. The intake and
overstimulation of these activities will need to be digested
otherwise we will suffer from emotional congestion causing stress
which is toxic to our health. [to top of second
column] |
Choosing lighthearted activities like a walk outside,
cooking healthy, reading spiritual material, painting, clearing out
space in your home, and any of the Ayurveda habits mentioned above
are wise choices to nourish your body & soul.
Agni is the power of transformation and responsible
for your digestion of emotions and food. Proper elimination supports
agni. To kick start elimination, drink warm water with lemon, honey,
and ginger. Next, sit to relax to eliminate your stool within an
hour upon waking. The importance of eliminating will provide a fresh
start to your upcoming daily experiences and food intake.
Living rhythmically includes adapting a healthy optimal sleep
pattern which includes falling asleep before 10 pm and waking before
6 am. Too much and too little sleep, in addition to sleeping during
the wrong time of day will cause dis-ease in your life. If a nap is
in order, set a timer and rest for 10 minutes between the time of 10
am and 2 pm. This is the optimal digestion period when your
metabolism is working to digest your food and emotions. This is also
the reason you should fall asleep before 10 pm so that you are able
to digest from your day.
Sit to watch your thoughts rather than avoid them. Notice how you
feel when emotions come up and allow yourself to feel sadness, fear,
joy, surprise, disgust or anger. Send compassion and love to
yourself that you would typically feel for the person you love the
most. [Text from file received
-Tara Drake- Yoga Therapist*, Certified Ayurveda Health Counselor,
Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200, RYT 500) Moksha Center - *Supervised
Practicum under Dr. Jaime Stover-Schmidtt of Spanda Yoga Therapy® -
© 2020 YOGA HOME INC] |
