If you are Fatigued

From the Ayurvedic perspective fatigue results from the misuse of the resources of the mind, emotions and body.

For example, when your job is simple, but you have to work a lot and overtime. This leads to fatigue. Or you do something that is against your nature. If an honest person is forced to lie in a situation it can cause emotional burnout. Not using resources also causes fatigue. What is not used is lost, this thesis applies not only to the body but also to the mind and emotions.

You can often trace the connection between fatigue and an imbalance of doshas.

Mental fatigue is associated with an imbalance of Vata.

Emotional fatigue is caused by Pitta instability.

Physical fatigue is associated with an excess of Kapha.

Recommendations for each type of fatigue:

For Vata – mental fatigue:

• consume soothing and grounding diet, food that reduces Vata dosha

• exclude dry snacks, muesli and chips, cold snacks and carbonated water

• take regular hot meals and foods with heavy qualities like lentils, rice, oats, wheat, and dairy products

• go to bed early and at the same time

• avoid intense mental work before going to bed

Vata can’t be balanced without consistency. Waking up early, going to bed early, and eating with nature’s rhythms, when the main meal of the day is consumed between 11am and 1pm while the Sun is at its highest so the food is completely digested. Consistency gives a sense of security, confidence, and stress reduction. Avoid sleeping during the day and staying up late at night since that sets Vata out of control.

For Pitta – emotional fatigue

• eat calming and cooling diet (apples, cilantro, pomegranate, coconut, ghee, coriander)

• regular intake of food is very important

Overstimulation from TV, computer, and video games leaves lasting impressions on our minds. These assaults go deep into the psyche and disturb the life force (prana), affecting our emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Be very careful with everything that you take in, whatever food or impressions.

For Kapha – physical fatigue

• eat food that improves metabolism and increases fluidity

• decrease your physical activity

• sleep at the same time each night, so that the body can restore the natural cycle of rest and activity

• reduce the use of coffee, black tea, sleeping pills and carbonated drinks

• take time to rest every day. The human nervous system and body are not designed for constant stress of haste and excitement. For natural regeneration and restoration, we need to find time to rest physically, mentally and emotionally every day. Choose what suits you best: walks in nature, communication with loved ones, reading, music, creating something with your own hands, doing relaxing yoga etc.

Ginger tea made of raw or dry ginger eliminates Ama (toxins) and relieves minor aches and pain. Add some honey if you like but don’t boil. Heating honey makes it indigestible.

For all dosha type:

Ayurveda suggest including in the diet foods and spices that reduce the feeling of fatigue:

Spices: cilantro, black pepper, fresh and dried mint, nutmeg, orange peel

Fruits: bananas

Vegetables: carrots, green onion

Oil: coconut

Sweeteners: honey, stevia, molasses

Eliminate from your diet all fried and deep fried foods (including donuts), frozen, canned, microwaved food, all low fat products and any food with a storage term that is much longer than it would be if not stuffed with chemicals. Try to eat as few leftovers as possible. Limit or stop the intake of spicy, and acidic foods like wine, beer, yogurt, miso, soy sauce, yeast, yeast breads, coffee and hot spicy Mexican – type food.

TODAY’S TIP: Yoga nidra is an unparalleled practice of deepest relaxation, when your body is repaired by its own inborn intelligence without being disturbed by an agitated mind (See Yoga nidra).

See also: Ayurveda on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Healthy Sleep; Champi Head Massage; Obtaining and Losing Subtle Energy.