In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an almost constant companion. Work pressure, digital overload, unhealthy diet, and personal responsibilities can leave our minds restless and our bodies fatigued. Ayurveda; the ancient science of life offers natural strategies to calm the mind and restore balance.
While modern life has changed drastically, the functioning of the human mind remains the same. That is why Ayurvedic wisdom is more relevant than ever.
Understanding the Manas (Mind)
Ayurveda sees the mind as an integral part of overall health. It identifies three Gunas (qualities of the mind) and their impact on mental well-being:
Sattva (clarity and harmony) – a calm, focused, and positive state.
Rajas (activity and restlessness) – overthinking, anxiety, and impulsiveness.
Tamas (inertia and dullness) – lethargy, confusion, and depression.
When Sattva dominates, the mind remains peaceful. Stress often arises from an imbalance, with excess Rajas or Tamas clouding our clarity.
Ayurveda originated in India more than five thousand years ago. Its knowledge is documented in classical texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya. The purpose of Ayurveda is to maintain health in a healthy person and treat disease in a diseased person. It follows the principle that body, mind, and soul are interdependent. True health is achieved when all three remain in harmony.
Every individual possesses a unique constitution known as Prakriti. This Prakriti is formed by the combination of three Doshas.
• Vata : Controls all movement in the body and mind (like breathing, thinking, walking).
• Pitta : Controls heat and transformation (like digestion and sharp thinking).
• Kapha : Provides strength and stability (body structure and calmness).
The harmony between these three Doshas ensures physical and mental well-being. Any disturbance in this equilibrium leads to disease, including psychological disturbances like stress/anxiety/depression.
Importance of Manas
समदोष: समाग्निश्च समधातु मलःक्रियाःl
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमन: स्वस्थ इति अभिधीयते ll(Sushrut Samhita)
A person is considered Swastha (healthy) when; Doshas are balanced, Agni is balanced, Dhatus and Malas (waste products) are in proper function; alongside Mind, senses, and soul are in harmony.
This definition highlights the importance of balance in bodily functions and mental well-being.
The mind forgets its true nature when Mano dosha (Rajas/Tamas) dominates. This disconnection leads to emotional instability and poor decision-making. Stress/Overthinking/Anxiety etc are not just the reactions to external situations. But they are primarily internal imbalances involving the Mind (Manas), the Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), and the Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas).
Understanding Stress
Stress is a Manasika Vyadhi. Ayurveda defines the mind as a fundamental coordinator that connects the senses with the soul.
“इन्द्रियार्थसंसर्गेण यत् ज्ञानं जायते तत्र मनः कारणम्“
This means the mind has an important role in perception, thinking, understanding, and response. When the mind becomes disturbed, wrong reactions arise.
Three Primary Causes of Stress
Pragyaparadha : Acting against one’s wisdom. For example, knowing the right action but doing the wrong one.
Asatmya Indriyartha Samyoga : Misuse of senses. This includes excess screen exposure, loud noise, unhealthy food, overstimulation of desire, and consumption of disturbing information.
Parinama : Stress caused by time and life transformations. Any major change brings mental worry.
Real Story from Today
Rahul, a 32-year-old software engineer, worked long nights. Constant deadlines and digital overload made him anxious, even during weekends. His sleep reduced to 4 – 5 hours.
He consulted an Ayurvedic physician/ Vaidya who identified Vata imbalance due to excessive mental work.
What Changed:
Warm oil head massage (Shiroabhyanga) at night.
Brahmi infused medicines for mental calmness.
Shirodhara & Nasya (Panchakarma)
Digital detox 1 hour before sleep.
Early waking and light evening meals.
Within 30 days, Rahul experienced deeper sleep and reduced overthinking. His productivity increased without stress.
Ayurveda doesn’t just treat symptoms – it restores balance.
Ancient Story of Mind Mastery – The King and the Sage
A famous historical account from Mahabharata.
King Dhritarashtra, constantly worried and emotionally unstable about his sons, sought advice from Vidura. Vidura reminded him:
“A disturbed mind sees danger everywhere,
but a disciplined mind sees the path ahead.”
Ayurveda also teaches the same – mental clarity brings strength.
How the Manas Works
Classical texts explain that the mind is responsible for:
• Chintya: thinking
• Vicharya: analyzing
• Uhya: imagining or understanding alternatives
• Dhya: focusing
• Sankalpa: decision making
Since the mind operates continuously, it easily gets exhausted. When it loses clarity, it becomes either hyperactive or dull. This leads to mental fatigue, mood swings, lack of concentration, and emotional suffering.
How to Calm Mind
The goal of Ayurveda is not just the absence of stress. The goal is mastery over the mental fluctuations that create stress. Stress occurs when the mind disconnects from its higher consciousness.
As Patanjali Yogsutra has mentioned :
“योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः“
Yoga is the state in which the constant fluctuations of the mind (its thoughts, impulses, memories, imaginations) are calmed, controlled, or suspended so that the true self can abide in its natural, undisturbed state. The sutra tells us what Yoga means at its essence: not just physical postures, but mental discipline.
Bhagavad Gita emphasizes control over the mind as the path to peace.
“मनो हि मनुष्याणां कारणं बन्धमोक्षयोः“
A distracted mind creates suffering. A disciplined mind creates harmony.
1. Daily Routines (Dinacharya) for a Calm Mind
• Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta (40-45 min before sunset), when sattva is very high.
• Practice daily exercise or yoga.
• Reduce digital exposure in the evening.
• Avoid late-night meals.
• Maintain proper sleep every night.
Healthy senses create a healthy mind.
In ancient universities like Takshashila and Nalanda, students followed strict Dinacharya – prayer, meditation, study, physical activity.
This gave them sharp memory and emotional stability, enabling great scholars like Chanakya to emerge from these institutions.
Routine builds greatness.
2. Diet for Mental Balance
Ayurveda strongly emphasizes food as medicine. Wrong eating habits directly affect the brain, sleep, digestion, and mental balance.
• Warm and freshly cooked meals
• Include sattvic foods: grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, ghee, and milk.
• Herbal teas including Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Jatamansi
• Avoiding excessive caffeine, spicy foods, and irregular meal timings
Ancient physicians like Sushruta used Medhya Rasayana diets for kings and warriors to keep their minds sharp before battle – proving diet strongly supports mental performance.
3. Seasonal Adjustments (Ritucharya)
Ayurveda emphasizes living in harmony with the seasons:
Vata season (autumn/winter): Favor warm foods, oils, and calming routines.
Pitta season (summer): Cool foods, calming herbs, and avoiding overexposure to heat.
Kapha season (spring): Stimulating routines and light meals to prevent sluggishness.
Adapting your lifestyle to seasonal changes keeps the mind and body in balance.
4. Mind – Calming Practices
Sattvavajaya: The Mental Healing Therapy mentioned in Ayurveda. Charaka Samhita describes Sattvavajaya therapy, which means strengthening the sattva guna.
Methods include:
• Building confidence
• Encouraging positive thinking
• Cultivating gratitude
• Counseling
• Self-analysis
• Reading spiritual literature
• Developing meaningful relationships
A sattvic life strengthens mental endurance.
Role of Meditation and Mantra
Mantra plays a central role in calming the mind. The word Mantra itself holds a powerful meaning. Repeating a mantra stabilizes the mental waves, reduces rajas and tamas, and increases sattva. This results in clarity, calmness, and inner strength.
Meditation and pranayama relax the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and restore balance in the mind.
Ayurveda Treatment
Panchakarma is the most powerful detoxification treatment in Ayurveda. It removes deep-rooted toxins called Ama, improves circulation of subtle energies, and balances the Doshas.
Some beneficial Panchakarma procedures include:
• Shirodhara: oil streaming on forehead to relax the nervous system
• Nasya: medicated nasal therapy for stress headaches
• Abhyangam: warm oil massage to reduce anxiety
• Basti: balancing Vata to calm the mind
• Takradhara: cooling therapy for Pitta stress
These therapies promote relaxation at a physical, mental, and emotional level.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Stress Management
Several classical herbs are known as Medhya Rasayana. They nourish brain cells, improve memory, and promote peace of mind.
Yoga and Pranayama Practices
Physical postures and breathing exercises play a significant role in mental health. They regulate oxygen supply to the brain, reduce tension in muscles, and elevate mood.
Recommended practices:
• Shavasana
• Vajrasana
• Bhramari Pranayama
• Anulom Vilom
• Nadi Shodhana
• Surya Namaskar (gentle practice)
Yoga brings balance to both body and mind.
Ayurveda teaches that recognizing the inner self is essential for overcoming stress. When we attach too much importance to temporary desires, stress becomes a constant companion. Practicing forgiveness, compassion, love, and acceptance reserves emotional energy.
“सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः“
This mindset transforms mental energy.
The Calm Mind of Buddha
Before becoming the Buddha, Prince Siddhartha lived in luxury. But his mind was restless with questions about suffering.
Through meditation, compassion, and discipline, he transformed his mind… and found ultimate peace.
His life teaches us:
Changing the world begins by changing the mind first.
Ayurveda agrees – inner transformation heals outer suffering.
How Healing Begins
Returning to balance requires :
Sattvic lifestyle
Proper sleep and routine
Calming foods
Connection with nature
Yoga, meditation, pranayama
Emotional expression & support
Ayurveda focuses on strengthening Sattva, because a Sattvic mind can handle challenges with resilience.
The goal is not to remove all stress – that’s impossible in human life.
The goal is to train the mind so stress cannot control us.
Ayurveda views stress not as an enemy, but as a signal. It shows that the mind needs rest, discipline, and reconnection with natural rhythms. One understands the root causes of stress, we gain the power to protect mental peace. Ancient Ayurvedic science guides us toward balance, clarity, and spiritual harmony. Today’s world needs this timeless wisdom more than ever.
If you like this blog, stay connected with us for more ayurvedic wisdom.
Thankyou!
Vaidya Kanchan
vd.kanchan001@gmail.com