It is a popular saying that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Owing to several factors, most people experience stress and anxiety from time to time.

What is Stress and Anxiety?

Stress and anxiety are flip sides of the same coin.

Most of us feel down at times. We also feel anxious now and then. That is normal. Stress is experienced when multiple competing demands are placed on your brain or physical body. Any event that makes you feel frustrated or nervous can trigger the feeling of stress. Anxiety is the fear of a future situation and involves muscle tension and avoidance behaviour.

Stress and anxiety in the short term can help you overcome a challenge or dangerous situation. A feeling of anxiety can motivate you to do things that you need to.

Worrying about finding a job, nervousness before a big exam, or being embarrassed in certain social situations are some everyday examples of stress and anxiety.

But, if stress and anxiety start interfering with your daily life, you must take it seriously. If some irrational fears are making you avoid situations, if you are worrying constantly, or experiencing severe anxiety about a tragic event, weeks after it happened, it may be time to seek help.

Diagnosis

There is no single test that can diagnose stress or anxiety.

Your doctor performs a physical exam that will reveal the overall state of health, for diagnosis.

A screening test is then performed in which you are asked a series of questions about your mood, appetite, sleep pattern, activity level and thoughts.

Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

Some of the physical symptoms include:

Stomachache

Dizziness

Change in appetite

Feeling weak or tired

Difficulty concentrating and controlling worry or fear

Trembling or muscle twitching

Increased heart rate, rapid breathing

Grinding teeth

Sleeping difficulties

Increased or heavy sweating

Mental or emotional symptoms include:

Nervousness, restlessness, irritability

Panic or dread about an impending doom

A feeling to avoid things that trigger anxiety

Difficulty concentrating

Irrational anger

People experiencing stress and anxiety over long periods of time may experience negative related health outcomes like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or even depression and panic disorders.

Causes of Stress and Anxiety

Most of the time, stress and anxiety occur after particular life events, and go away. Common causes include life events like:

Moving

Loss of loved ones

Financial problems

Unemployment

Loneliness

Illness or injury of yourself or of a family member or friend

Increased heart rate, rapid breathing

Marriage

A new job

Having a baby

Risk factors

Drugs containing stimulants, regular use of caffeine, illicit drugs, thyroid medications, asthma inhalers, diet pills etc. can worsen the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Stress-and Anxiety-related disorders

When stress and anxiety occur frequently, or seem out of proportion to the stressor, it is an indication of an anxiety disorder, wherein, anxiety and stress persist on a daily basis and for a prolonged time.

Treatment of Stress and Anxiety in Ayurveda

Ayurveda is one of the efficient ways, along with allopathy, to deal with stress and anxiety. Body and mind are seen as reflections of each other, by Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, stress and anxiety are caused by an imbalance in vata dosha. Excessive vata affects the Mano vaha srota, the channel of the mind.

Ayurvedic treatment for stress relief in Kerala aims at avoiding stress and strengthening the body's adaptive power to deal with stress.

A proper counselling is the first step. Your detailed history will be examined by your doctor and then recommend ayurveda therapies, rejuvenation programs, diet and lifestyle modification.

Ayurvedic therapies along with Yoga and Pranayama are helpful in reversing or stopping the progression of stress and anxiety.

Effective Therapies

Abhyangam - Dosha-specific medicated herbal oils are used for a full body massage that improves blood circulation and flushes out toxins. Vital pressure points are stimulated. The resulting nervous stimulation reduces stress.

Nasyam - Through nostrils, medicated drugs or oils are administered. The vital centres of the brain that regulate emotions, are stimulated.

Pizhichil - Medicated oil baths give both physical and mental relaxation.

Njavarakizhi - Warm pouches containing cooked njavara rice in milk decoction(ksheera kashayam) are applied over the body which helps in reducing stress.

Sirodhara - Soothing warmed medicinal oil streamed onto your forehead induces relaxation and peace.

Thalam - Medicated oil is applied over the head. It effectively treats concentration and memory problems.

Shirovasti - In Shirovasti, oil is poured continuously into a leather sleeve placed on the shaven head of the patient, fixed in place with kneaded dough. This therapy is quite effective in relieving stress.

Medicinal plants are also used for treatment. Exercise is recommended. A balanced nutritious diet is also a must.

Treatment at Au Revoir

Au Revoir, Ayurvedic treatment centre and the best resort in Palakkad offers one of the best Ayurvedic treatment packages in Kerala, for stress relief.

At Au Revoir, Health Retreat in Kerala, we provide different types of therapies for stress reduction and anxiety management. Head oleation therapies like Sironabhyangam, Sirodhara, Takradhara, Sirovasthi etc. and nourishment given to the brain provides relief from stress. The complete body gets relaxed and the whole system is rebooted for a fresh start. The package particularly includes the treatment for anxiety disorder, insomnia, stress, burnout, nervousness and starts from 7 nights onwards.

One of the choicest Ayurveda resorts in Palakkad, Au Revoir invites you to de-stress and leave completely rejuvenated.