E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Stress Management

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2024 Volume 9 Number 9 SEPTEMBER
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

A Critical Review on Stress Management through Ayurveda

Sinha P1*
DOI:10.21760/jaims.9.9.16

1* Prachi Sinha, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Dravya Guna Vigyan, Shri Npa Government Ayurveda College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

In today's competitive society, everyone is rushing about day and night to be the greatest in their own terms. There are a lot of demands, goals, chores, deadlines, frustrations, and annoyances in life that results into the various stress related disorders like hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome and behavioral disorders like Oppositional defiant disorder, Conduct disorder, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Stress is a state of worries or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Both the body and the psyche are impacted by stress. Stress in moderation can be beneficial and even useful in carrying out daily tasks. But excessive stress can leads to problems with mental and physical health. In ayurveda stress is referred to as a root cause of Krodha. Krodha arises due to practice of Raktakopak Nidan which vitiate Raja Guna causing stress. Ayurveda emphasize on maintaining a healthy balance between mind and body. Today's altered human lifestyle is interfering with the balance and is a major source of stress. A balanced diet, yoga, meditation, and physical activity may be helpful in reducing stress. It purges on all levels - physical, mental, and emotional - and is similar to rejuvenation. Ayurvedic management for stress include Nidanparivarjan, Yoga, Nidra, Dincharya, Rritucharya, Sadvrut, Naishthiki Chikitsa (Satvavajaya Chikitsa) and Aushadh Sevan.

Keywords: Mansika Roga, Stress

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Prachi Sinha, Post Graduate Scholar, Dept of Dravya Guna Vigyan, Shri Npa Government Ayurveda College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Email: 		Sinha P, A Critical Review on Stress Management through Ayurveda. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2024;9(9):106-110.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/3828

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2024-08-13 2024-08-23 2024-09-03 2024-09-13 2024-09-21
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Yes 12.76

© 2024by Sinha Pand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Introduction

Humans currently live in a state of constant stress due to a variety of factors, including environmental pollution, an extremely competitive and ambitious lifestyle, overpopulation, job responsibilities, tedious and uninteresting complex social interactions, and numerous other related mental and emotional issues. Everyone experiences stress, and it can be positive or negative. Stress is beneficial when it gives a potential for someone to succeed. It has an important protective function towards harmful psychological stimuli. When symptoms are exaggerated in relation to the situation or persist after a potentially dangerous scenario has been avoided, they are considered pathological. It is difficult to distinguish between the characteristics of pathological and normal stress, but in the former case, stress is the main symptom and, via activation of the autonomic nervous system, results in a variety of physical manifestations, including palpitations, headaches, sleeplessness, sweating, and difficulty in breathing. Severe mental or psychosomatic disorders could result from ongoing exposure and poor management.[1] Three types of etiological factors are listed in Ayurveda for all Manasika Vikars.

1. Asatmyendriyartha Samyoga,
2. Pragyaparadha
3. Parniama

An in-depth analysis of the characteristics of these three etiological factors would suggest that this is a good way to categorize the stress elements that cause stress and all kinds of Manasika Vikars.

Ayurveda holds the following people accountable for mental diseases of all kinds: Rajasa, Tamasa, Alpasatva (weak mind), and vitiated Manovaha Srotas (channels carrying manas) Dushi Visha, alcohol, vitiated Sharirk Dosha also causes imbalance in Rajo and Tamo Dosha which is also responsible for mental disease. Psycho-behavioral therapy (Satvavajaya Chikitsa) and Detoxification (Panchkarma) are used to treat Manasa Vikara, Sharirik Dosha.

Ayurvedic concept of Manas Rog

The Sanskrit term "Mana Jnane," which means "to think," "to analyze," "to anticipate," and other similar concepts, is the source of name Manas.[3]

The mind, or "Manas," is one of the four vital part of the life entity, along with three other components of this entity: the Sharira (physical body), the Indriya (sensory apparatus), and the Atma (soul).[4]

There are three sentiments of mind viz. Satva, Rajas and Tamas.[5]

Satva: It is the attribute of wisdom, morality, and goodness that provides stability, harmony, and balance.

Rajas: This is the element of flux, motion, and instability. It brings about the disequilibrium that throws off the preexisting equilibrium. Rajas are exhilarating and pleasurable, but because they are out of balance, they cause pain and suffering very quickly.

Tamas: This quality is one of being inertia or obstructive in action, dull, sluggish. It exhibits sentimentality, a lack of faith in God, having false perceptions, a lack of moral character, ignorance, dishonesty, neglect of responsibilities, and drowsiness.

Mental well-being results when all three of these are in an equilibrium state. Manas Vikaras arise when this equilibrium is upset, i.e., when Tamas and Rajas Doshas are elevated or Satva Guna characteristics are diminished.

However, the disease that arises from the interplay of the somatic Doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha - with the pathogenesis process is seen as a key one. At this stage, Dhi, Dhriti, and Smriti typically show noticeable changes.[6]

Etiological factor of Manas Rog:[7]

1. The basic three fold causes - Improper use of Kala, Buddhi and Artha e., Prajnaparadha, Asatmendriyartha Samyoga and Parinama.
2. Sadvritta Apalana.
3. Vegavarodha and
4. Purvajanmakrita Karma.
5. Prakriti Viparyaya.

Components of Samprapti of Manas Roga are as follows:

Dosha

Manasika: Raja and Tama

Saririka: Tridosa, predominantly Vata


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Dushya

Manas (Emotions) (Buddhi (Intellect or decision) Sangya Jnana (Orientation and responsiveness), Smriti (Memory), Bhakti (Devotion), Shila (Habit, Temperaments etc.), Chesta (Psychomotor activity), Achara (conducts).

Adhisthana

Hridaya (Buddhi or brain), Manovaha Srotas

Srotas

Apasmara - Samjnavaha Srotas, Rasavaha Srotas

Unmada - Manovaha Srotas, Rasavaha Srotas

Atatwabhinivesha - Manovaha Srotas, Buddhivaha Srotas

Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobh (greed), Moha (delusion), Irshya (jealousy), Mana (pride), Mada (euphoria), Shoka (sorrow, grief), Chinta (anxiety), Udvega (neurosis), Bhaya (fear), and Harsha Kshaya are the primary psychological symptoms induced only by mental diseases. Unmada (psychosis), Apasmara (convulsive disorder), Apatantraka (hysteria), Atattvabhinvesha (obsession), Bhrama (illusion, vertigo), Tandra (drowsiness), Klama (neurasthenia), Mada-Murchha-Sanyasa (loss of sensory perception leading to coma), Madatyaya (alcoholism), and Gadodvega (hypochondriasis) are the psychiatric conditions caused by a dis arrangement of physical and mental (psycho-physical) disorders.

Management in Ayurveda

Nidanparivarjana[8]

This is a crucial and fundamental idea in the treatment of any illness.

1. Sadvritta palan
2. Dharniya Vega Dharan
3. Improper use of Kala, Buddhi and Indriyartha
4. Samyak Prayog of Ashta Vidha Ahara Visheshayatana, Dwadash Ashana Vihar

Satavajaya Chikitsa[9]

The purpose of Satavajaya Chikitsa is to control or limit the mind. It is described by Charaka as an approach for keeping the mind away from unhealthy Arthas. This also allows for behavioral and occupational treatments.

Charaka says the following are the finest ways to reach the previously indicated aim of Satvavajaya Chikitsa: Jnanam (knowledge), Vijnanam (analytical thinking), Dhairya (courage), Smrti (memory), and Samadhi(concentration) Kama (excessive desire), Soka (grief), Bhaya (fear), Krodha (Anger), Irsya (jealousy), and Moha (agreed) are the primary causes of mental diseases. To combat these, induce the opposite passion in order to neutralize the causative ones.

Panchakarma

The Panchakarma practices that are being used are Shirodhara, Shiro Vasti, Vamana, Virechana, Vasti and Nasya. Complete mental and physical purification with Panchakarma treatments such as Vasti, Shirobasti, Nasya, and Shirodhara, among many others, which balance the three Sharir and Manas Doshas and improve psychological strength.

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is a systematic process that is developed from Vedic texts to induce total physical, mental, and emotional rest. It is done in the four phases listed below.

  • Samkalpa (Resolution)
  • Rotation of consciousness
  • Awareness of Breath
  • Feelings of sensation
  • Visualization

It has been proven to be a very successful approach for managing and preventing lifestyle problems, and it is being used with positive outcomes. Yoga increases the physiological limits of tolerance which is necessary for healthy lifestyle by practicing it in daily routine.

Yoga relaxation methods

  • Vajrasana, Padmasana, and Savasana are some examples of asanas (physical postures).
  • Pranayama (breath control): Nadi Shodhana and Ujjayi Pranayama
  • Yoga Nidra

Yuktivyapashraya Chikitsa[10]

Yuktivyapashraya Chikitsa is the therapeutic approach that is carried out with consideration of the Dosha Dushya Samurchana of a disease.


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It includes Shamana, Shodhana, Nidanparivarjana which comprises the rational use of Ahara, Vihara, and Aushadha. The word "Yukti" means rational thinking.

The fundamentals of Yuktivyapashraya Treatment

1. Antah Parimarjana Chikitsa, 2. Bahi Parimarjana Chikitsa

Antah Parimarjana Chikitsa: Additionally, it can be categorized as

a) Shodhan and b) Shaman

Bahi Parimarjana Chikitsa: Abhayang, Swedan, Shirodhara, Avgahan, Utsadan, Dhupana, Anulepana, etc.

Additionally, Medhya Rasayanas, a special category of stimulants said to support mental wellness, are described in Ayurveda.

According to Acharya Dalhana, the term Rasayana refers to approaches that produce the highest quality bodily tissues, which prolong life and promote youth.

Classifications of Rasayana

1. Sansiddhik Rasayanas: This is a combination of drugs in a particular way that can improve the quality of Dhatus.
2. Naimittika Rasayanas: Naimittika-Rasayana refers to Rasayanas that are specifically applied to the therapy or prevention of particular ailments.
3. Ajasrika Rasayanas: Food substances that we regularly and moderately take to sustain our body tissues on a daily basis. Everyday use of ghee, milk, Shali, Mudgayush, Saindhav Lavan are some examples.

Daivavyapashraya Chikitsa[11]

An example of divine therapy is Daivavyapashraya. All "acts of God" and the "evils of the past life Karmas" that are connected to past deeds and cannot be healed by medication fall under this category.

Patients who receive this Chikitsa have a boost in confidence as their fears and negative outlooks are removed. God-recommended "good deeds" are the form of the treatment. It includes Maran, Mohan, Ucchatan, Swastivachana, Magal, Hom, etc.

Conclusion

In the modern era, rapid developments in the urbanization-related globalization of the world have given rise to new kinds of stressors. The capacity to manage these unfavorable stressors is diminished by negative lifestyle choices. The most prevalent unhealthy elements that are creeping into the modern lifestyle include drug and alcohol abuse, excessive work, bad diets with high sugar or caffeine content, lack of exercise, sleep disorders, and a lack of free time for enjoyable recreational activities. There are several ways to relax and reduce stress, which can help manage its effects. They consist of lifestyle modification therapies such body scan activities, music listening, prayer, Yoga Asana, Pranayama, meditation, and gazing at beautiful scenery or artwork. Stress reduction and treatment for stress can be obtained through Ayurveda. It offers many advantages like Panchakarma, Medhya Rasayana, Satvavajaya Chikitsa, adhering to Sadvritta, Dinacharya, and so forth. Pranayama and Yoga are excellent for reducing stress and improving mental wellness.

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