The Side Effects of Stress & Tension

According to Ayurveda, stress, worries, and tension are caused by a disturbance in the rasavaha srotas. ‘Rasavahini dushyanti chintayanam chaatichintanaat’

What this means is that when you worry too much, it disrupts the rasavahi srotas – the circulation channel that originates in the heart and the vessels surrounding it. As you can imagine, any imbalance in this srota can be directly responsible for heart problems and a host of associated illnesses. Over time, stress can lead to cardiac diseases, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, digestive problems, poor memory, and problems with immunity.

When under stress, your body produces three specific hormones – adrenalin, cortisol, and norepinephrine. If these hormones build up within the body for a prolonged period of time, they can lead to very (delete) serious problems. High levels of cortisol, especially, can severely impact your immunity and make it weak.

Home Remedies to Escape Stress

• The best way to escape stress is to understand the factors that trigger it and stay away from them.

• Adopt a positive outlook towards life. Have a sattvik diet and a regular daily routine.

• Practice yoga and meditation. It helps the mind concentrate and frees it of stress.

• Drink green tea. Rich in antioxidants like polyphenol, flavonoids, and catechins, green tea helps reduce stress.

• Every morning, have whole grains and low fat milk, along with fresh fruit.

• Before sleeping, drink a warm glass of milk. It contains triptophane – an amino acid that helps fight stress.

• Add honey to your green or Ayurvedic tea. It’s rich in antioxidants.

• Having oatstraw and chamomile tea can also have a calming effect on the mind.

• Be sociable and friendly and entertain benevolent thoughts towards one and all.

• Anger, jealousy, hatred, and desire can lead to stress. It’s best not to indulge in those emotions.

What Not to Do

In order to keep stress at bay, we should avoid the following:

• Sleeping or waking up late

• Eating oily or fermented food or anything that has no nutritional value

• Harboring negative or destructive thoughts

• Using drugs

• Self-prescribing antidepressants without speaking to a doctor