The Role of Doshas in Ayurveda and Responses to Stress

In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an inevitable part of our lives. The demands of work, family, and social responsibilities often leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Additionally, excessive use—and at times, reliance—on social media for business growth and staying informed can disrupt our patterns of healthy behavior. While modern medicine offers various solutions for managing stress, many people are turning to ancient practices like Ayurveda to enhance self-awareness and find relief.

Ayurveda, which originated in India over 5,000 years ago, is a holistic system of medicine that focuses on achieving balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. The principles of Ayurveda emphasize the interconnectedness of all aspects of our being and offer a comprehensive approach to managing stress.

One of the key aspects of Ayurveda is understanding each person's unique mind-body constitution, known as doshas, which consist of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, these three energies circulate in the body and govern specific physiological and psychological activities.

Vata energy combines qualities associated with the elements of air and space and governs all types of movement in the body, including cell division, waste elimination, and nervous system signaling. Vata types are predominantly light, small-boned, and constantly in motion, much like the wind. They are typically thin, small-boned, with rough, dry hair and skin, and are the creative types. When out of balance, they can experience indecisiveness, trouble staying focused, and anxiety.

Pitta energy merges qualities from fire and water and is responsible for transformation processes in the body, including the metabolic breakdown of food and detoxification. They typically have strong hunger, a medium-size build, and maintain the same weight fairly easily. Predominately Pitta types are usually highly driven, analytical, and can be pretty assertive. Their strong desire (or fire within) for success can sometimes lead to anger or irritability when something is not going as planned.

Kapha energy combines qualities seen in earth and water, providing lubrication and stability throughout the body, such as the lubrication of the gut lining, lungs, and joints. They typically have round and sturdy features and are big-boned. Predominately, Kapha types are usually calm, slow-moving, and peace-loving creatures. They are the ones who operate on their own time and are happy doing so. When out of balance, they can experience apathy or a depressed state of being.

When these doshas are out of balance, it can lead to specific issues. For example, someone with predominant Vata characteristics may become anxious or exhibit tendencies associated with the elements of air and space, such as excessive movement of the mind. These individuals might be more drawn to want to flee a stressful situation (flight). Conversely, an individual with a more stable and robust Kapha constitution might experience feelings of sluggishness or an increased sense of heaviness—-a feeling of being frozen (Freeze or shutdown). On the other hand, a Pitta-type person may display a fiery nature and confront the situation head-on, sometimes with a bit of aggression (fight). Just like the doshas, we need all three stress responses to allow us to protect ourselves from the world around us and thrive, but we need them in moderation.

I like to explain the doshas and our reactions to stressors by comparing them to a compost pile. To effectively break down materials into a rich, nourishing compost that helps grow nutrient-dense foods, you need a balanced mix of carbon-rich materials ("browns"), nitrogen-rich materials ("greens"), water (moisture), and air (oxygen).

If there’s too much oxygen or excessive movement in the pile, it can dry out. Conversely, if there’s too much moisture and not enough oxygen, it may lead to bacterial growth. Additionally, adding too many nitrogen-rich materials can cause the pile to become overheated.

Just like a compost pile, it's crucial to incorporate dietary and lifestyle elements that help balance the excess or lack of stimuli in our minds and bodies. This can mitigate the negative effects those stimuli might have on our mental state. For instance, establishing consistent daily habits can promote balance in both mental and physical processes, providing more stability for individuals who frequently experience a flight response or erratic emotions (Vata). On the other hand, we should add some movement during scheduled times of the day for someone who is more Kapha dosha and experiencing bouts of the freeze response or feeling of being defeated or stuck. There are many Ayurvedic dietary and lifestyle practices as well as somatic (body-based) practices to promote balance and reduce the effects of stress responses, which will be discussed in future blogs.

Find out your doshic combination at the link below: https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/pages/dosha-quiz

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed mental health counselor, but I do have over a decade of experience providing integrative rehabilitation services to individuals who suffer from a severe and persistent mental illness, alongside their psychiatrist. This blog discusses responses to everyday stress and is not intended as medical advice for individuals dealing with a mental illness, as many factors need to be considered when managing long-term mental health challenges.

Up next!

Somatic or Body-Based Therapies: What are They and Who Can Benefit

Ayurvedic Techniques for Balancing Mind and Body During Stressful Times

Embodiment Practices to Uncover Hidden Emotions That Could Be Keeping You Stuck on Your Physical Health Journey