In a fast paced, unhealthy and busy lifestyle like today, stress and unhealthy weight gain are deeply connected and common challenges faced me the modern man. The reason that both these health issues are interconnected is the fact that stress results in hormonal imbalance, laziness, overeating and in turn excessive weight gain, which again leads to anxiety, reduction in self-esteem levels, and the vicious cycle continues. Ayurvedic therapies with its ancient system of holistic healing and overall wellness, approaches stress relief and healthy weight loss in a comprehensive manner and offers structured solutions which are intricately connected, thereby addressing the root causes of both the issues.
Kerala also better known as ‘God’s own country’ and ‘The cradle of Ayurveda’ has preserved the precious wisdom of Ayurveda and nurtured it over centuries and generations by keeping it alive in day to day rituals. Kerala with his lush greenery, serene backwaters, certified Ayurvedic practitioners and its Ayurvedic Therapies in Kerala offers the perfect backdrop for seeking authentic Ayurvedic treatments that not only solve the current health issues, but also offers means to preventive wellness, deep stress relief and healthy weight loss.
Understanding the Approach of Ayurveda
The reason that Ayurveda has stood the test of time and continues to hold relevance even in modern times like today with modern problems like stress, anxiety, overeating, and obesity is that it treats health issues in a holistic manner and not just offers quick fixes but addresses the issues at the root causes. Ayurveda therapies studies the Prakriti or the composition of the patient’s body, it analyses the Dosha imbalances – Vata, Pitta and Kapha and after careful analysis, Ayurveda suggests therapies and customized Solutions which help in restoring healthy metabolism and aiding in weight loss and stress relief.
As per Ayurveda, an increase in stress levels is linked to misbalanced Vata and Pitta dosha and obesity is often associated with excess Kapha dosha. By rebalancing these doshas and addressing the issues rather than offering quick fixes, Ayurveda attempts to combine stress relief and healthy weight loss in a synchronized manner.
Kerala Ayurvedic therapies that offer stress relief & healthy weight loss
Abhyanga
Abhyanga is a Sanskrit term which translates to a full body massage. Basically, Abhyanga involves massaging the entire body with the help of gently warmed herbal and medicated oils in rhythmic circles with apt amount of pressure. The idea of Abhyanga is to not just help in physical relaxation of the body, but also improve blood circulation, improving skin health, enhancing joint mobility and calming the nervous system. With Abhyangam it is claimed that the herbal oils used, penetrate into the skin and help in breaking down the deposits of fats, and boost lymphatic drainage. Practicing Abhyanga regularly not only melts away physical and mental stress, but also supports weight reduction by detoxifying the body and keeping the mind calm and healthy.
Udvartana
Udvartana is a similar therapy to Abhyanga. It is a dry massage. But the difference here is that dry massage is done with the usage of herbal powders which are coarsely grained from medicinal plants like Trifla. The idea is to generate enough friction during the massage which not only helps in energizing the cells but stimulating the fat metabolism of the body and eventually reducing cellulite. This ayurvedic therapy not only helps in naturally energizing the body but also improving the skin tone and controlling excess oil production on skin.
Swedana
Swedana basically refers to a herbal steam therapy which involves exposing the body to medicated herbs. It is usually performed after Abhyanga or Udvartana. Since the body is massaged by this point of time the toxins are accumulated. The idea of steaming the body with herbs is to flush out the toxins and promote sweating as a method of natural calorie burning. This Ayurvedic weight loss therapy Kerala not only helps relax the muscles but provides relief in stiffness which is caused as a result of long hours of sitting and stress. This therapy is beneficial both for stress relief as well as fat reduction.
Panchakarma
Panchkarma is the star detox therapy in Ayurveda. Whether it is weight loss or stress relief, Panchkarma is the go to treatment. Panchkarma detox treatment includes Vaman (Medical emesis therapy), Virechna (Purgation therapy), Basti (Enema therapy), Nasya (Medicated nasal administration) and Raktamokshana (Bloodletting therapy). All these procedures of the Panchkarma therapy aims at removing metabolic toxins from the body. The removal of toxins not only help in better digestion but also leads to better weight loss and stress reduction.
Shirodhara
Shirodhara is an ayurvedic treatment which involves pouring medicated oils in a continuous manner on the forehead. The idea of Shirodhara is to help activate the Pineal gland which is effective in reducing the cortisol levels in the body. Although, Shirodhara is traditionally performed with medicated oils but Buttermilk or other herbal decoctions can also be used. Shirodhara might not be as directly related to fat loss as it is to stress reduction but it definitely helps in reducing obesity as improved sleep patterns and reduced anxiety levels help in balancing the nervous system which leads to reduction in over eating and indulgence, leading to better weight management.
Why choose Kerala for stress and weight loss recipes
- Abundance of ayurvedic therapies herbs in Kerala
- Certified practitioners who carry out authentic ayurvedic treatments.
- Healing climate and topography that supports ayurvedic treatments.
- Comfortable retreats and wellness centres which aid in weight loss and promote relaxation.
Conclusion
Weight loss and stress relief are interlinked health challenges and are often seen as 2 SIDES of the same coin. Ayurveda not only addresses them together, but offers time tested holistic remedies which kill two birds with a single stone. What makes Kerala unique in its approach to dealing with health issues is its uniquely customized authentic approach and excellent certified ayurvedic practitioners who offer the best healthcare treatments. If you’re looking to experience Stress relief with Panchakarma Kerala enrolling with Ayurvedic therapies institutions like Lokah Ayurveda can be an excellent choice.
