In this episode of “5 Minutes”, Dr. Robert Svoboda explores the Ayurvedic view of anxiety and how it can be understood and managed through traditional principles.

It has been estimated that a significant portion of the population experiences anxiety, but many people who struggle with anxiety never seek help for it. What is important is recognizing when anxiety is present and taking steps to address it so that it does not continue to affect your life.

One reason it is important to examine whether you are experiencing anxiety is because anxiety can create digestive problems, contribute to high blood pressure, and lead to other conditions, including obesity, when people attempt to self-medicate without understanding what is actually happening. Anxiety can also increase the possibility of depression and substance abuse.

In Ayurveda, if we were looking for a Sanskrit word to describe anxiety, we would probably use the word cintā, which means thinking.

Cintā can refer to purposeful thinking, the kind of thinking used when trying to understand or work through something. But it can also refer to using thought as a way of simply producing more thought. There is a saying attributed to Kabir that your cleverness disappears when your mind becomes overly occupied by thoughts.

Today, there is generally a distinction made between worry and anxiety. Worry or fear usually relates to something tangible, while anxiety is often connected with something less tangible.

Worry or fear tends to be more immediate and limited, while anxiety is often more chronic and generalized. Because worry and fear are usually limited in time and space, they may not interfere with your ability to function in the same way that anxiety can.

Muscle tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath are common symptoms of anxiety. From an Ayurvedic perspective, anxiety is very much a manifestation of Vata. Therefore, anything that helps to balance Vata can also be helpful in managing anxiety.

This means focusing on lifestyle changes. You need to sleep well, exercise appropriately, eat properly, and maintain a regular daily routine. You also need to engage your mind in something other than repeatedly following the thoughts that have been aggravating you.

This is why it is often said that during Kali Yuga, the present age, one of the best things you can do is repeat the name of God. If you do not believe in God specifically, you can repeat the name of nature or something meaningful to you. The purpose is to prevent yourself from becoming trapped in the same mental patterns.

Dr. Svoboda also recommends being careful about spending too much time on the internet, especially consuming news, because it can increase anxiety. If you use the internet, choose things that help shift your attention, such as watching something enjoyable rather than continuously focusing on disturbing information.

Finally, he emphasizes the importance of applying oil to the body while practicing mindfulness. The goal is not to apply oil while continuing to think anxious thoughts, but to apply oil while bringing your attention fully to the experience of the oil itself.