How Do I Overcome Vata Dosha?

As per Ayurveda, Vata governs various movements of our body and mind. It controls the blood flow, helps with waste elimination, and controls our breathing and the thought process.

The other two doshas, namely Pitta and Kapha, cannot function effectively when the body has a Vata imbalance. Vata is known to be the leader of the ayurvedic princes of our body, and hence it is important to keep it in balance- always.

If you are one of them suffering from Vata Dosha, the most common question would be, how do I overcome Vata Dosha? Let’s begin with learning the functions and the effects of Vata Dosha on the human body. 

The Function

Vata dosha is known to represent the quality of the human body. This is related to breathing, blood circulation, mental activity, digestion, joint functions, and more. Vata, which is unusually quiet unstable, can give rise to elements like the “Air and Space.” Due to this quality of Vata, people irrespective of their age or health condition, often find the need to balance the dosha.

The Characteristics

The Vata dosha balances the association of our human body with elements like air and space. Vata can be cold and light and rough and subtle at the same time. Vata can be seen in the colon and the joints and even in the hollow places of our human body.

Vata, when balanced using the right methods, provides alertness, improved sleep, body flexibility, and mental health. When Vata is out of balance, it causes various health issues like headaches, pains in the joints, anxiety, constipation, etc. People who are dominated by Vata dosha are mostly thin and often talk and move very quickly. Such people are engaging but can be moody and short-tempered.

The Causes

Kerala’s Ayurveda Gurgaon works on a belief that the qualities one brings in to their life can increase the dosha associated with those qualities. For example, dry, cool, subtle, mobility, etc are the qualities of Vata Dosha. If a person exposes himself to such qualities, the Vata dosha in the body increases causing imbalance.

Vata dosha can impact the body, mind, and emotional well-being of a person. Vata dosha can be increased when the weather is too dry or too cold. Food that is cold, bitter and dry can cause a Vata imbalance. People having dry emotions or those who show cold behavior are known to have this imbalance as well.

Ways to Balance Vata Dosha

As per a wellness center in Gurgaon, Vata is both dry and cold, and hence people suffering from its imbalance need to follow a “Vata pacifying diet.”  It is important to include foods that are warm and moist to reduce the impact of this dosha. Regular practice of Vata dosha yoga can also provide to be beneficial.

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms of Vata Dosha like headaches, anxiety, pain in the joints, etc, you need to visit an ayurvedic pain management center to know the cause. Vata dosha can be balanced by following a simple diet and lifestyle regime. 

Let us have a look at a few tips that help to reduce Vata dosha and balance it efficiently.

The Food

People suffering from symptoms of Vata dosha need to focus on the food they eat. Make sure to eat salty, sour, or sweets foods that natural and avoid the intake of oily or junk food. Foods that contain processed salts or high sugars have to be avoided.

It also helps to make a note of how different foods are showing an effect on your body’s constitution. Ayurvedic experts suggest avoiding frozen foods, extremely dry foods, and cold items as they can worsen the Vata dosha. If you must eat, make sure to eat them in moderation. Some of the foods you can avoid are,

• Alcohol
• Caffeinated drinks
• Chocolate
• Gas forming foods, fruits or vegetables

People suffering from a Vata imbalance can use sesame oil, coconut oil or ghee while cooking food. Make sure to eat food when it is warm and fresh, and avoid packed or ready to eat meals.

Lifestyle Changes

Make sure to follow a routine and do not tire yourself with various frenetic activities. Ayurvedic experts suggest following the same bedtime, workout time, and mealtime every day. Make sure to go to bed by at least 10 PM and follow the same routine every day.

Regular practice of yoga helps reduce Vata imbalance. Some of the yoga practices you can follow are Surya Namaskar, Shavasana, Vriksasana, etc. You can visit a wellness center to know about effective yoga poses to improve the Vata balance in your body.

Mental Balance

If you work late hours, travel a lot, or are always tensed or stressed, you are sure to experience a Vata imbalance. Try and stay relaxed and calm and indulge in some therapeutic massages or hot water baths once in a while. You can even visit an ayurvedic treatment center for various treatments and massages that help reduce stress and anxiety and help you get rid of toxins from the body.

Following a consistent meditation, schedule to improve the stability of the mind. The use of ayurvedic herbs like Shatavari or ashwagandha can also help in balancing Vata.

Some of the other practices to follow are,

• Pranayama
• Follow a moderate exercise routine, nothing to tire you off
• Self-massage using sesame oil

If you find no change in the signs or symptoms of Vata dosha after following the remedies mentioned above, you can opt for Panchakarma therapy, which helps reverse the root cause of imbalance. Remember that the time taken to treat a Vata imbalance can differ from person to person and depends on the cause and the degree of imbalance. Most people see signs of process within a few weeks when they make a few minor changes to their food and lifestyle habits.

Shadanga, an ayurvedic wellness center provides holistic and customized plans for the treatment of Vata dosha. Visit today to achieve a complete balance of all doshas.