Spoons with spices

Ayurveda - Healing Grief with Ancient Wisdom

Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest medical systems, offers a unique and personalised approach to healing after the loss of a loved one. It recognises that when one aspect of our being - body, mind, or spirit - is out of balance, it can affect the other aspects, leading to a wide variety of physical, mental and emotional symptoms.

To better understand the symptoms associated with grief, it is important to know that Ayurveda identifies three primary energies, or doshas, which determine our physical and mental characteristics and play a significant role in our overall wellbeing.

These doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, and they are present in each of us in varying proportions. And depending on our unique body-mind constitution we experience and respond to grief differently.

Our response to grief depends on our unique body-mind constitution

For instance, Vata types may experience severe anxiety, restlessness, worry and fear. Pitta types may experience anger, irritability, and a need for control. Whereas Kapha individuals may feel lethargic, depressed, and have difficulty letting go.

While the three doshas work together to maintain balance in the body, each dosha also has specific functions. 

Vata dosha in particular is key to understanding what happens to us when we are grieving. Since Vata is responsible for all movement, including our breathing, and controls our mind, senses and perception.

Regardless of our individual constitution, grief triggers a huge Vata imbalance, which can push the other two doshas out of balance as well. This explains why we can experience a variety of physical grief symptoms in all parts of our body which are unique to us.

The infographic below illustrates how the three doshas are related to various physical grief symptoms:

infographic - Grief symptoms according to doshic imbalance

The Ayurvedic perspective on grief symptoms

Put simply, if you experience increased movement, depletion, excessive air, or dryness, it's usually an indication that Vata dosha needs to be balanced. Similarly, if you notice excess heat or inflammation, it's a sign that Pitta dosha needs balancing. Whereas if you experience excess heaviness, sluggishness, or mucus production, it typically indicates a Kapha imbalance that needs to be addressed.

However, since excess Vata energy is the main driver behind any Pitta and/or Kapha imbalance when we are grieving, it will usually need to be tackled first. This is where stress management techniques come in.

So, how can you find out what your original body-mind constitution is so that you can address your imbalances effectively?

To accurately identify your original constitution and current doshic imbalances, a comprehensive Ayurvedic assessment is typically required as it is not always easy to determine through external observation alone.

What are the unique benefits of Ayurveda?

Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to healing that focuses on addressing the root causes of imbalances rather than just treating the symptoms. Its range of treatments includes dietary changes, herbal remedies, lifestyle modifications, yoga, meditation, breathwork, sound or colour therapy, and much more. Which of the therapies would work best for you, will depend on your individual needs and constitution, as well as on how easy they are to incorporate into your daily life.

By viewing the body, mind, and spirit as interconnected aspects of overall wellness, Ayurveda can help reduce your grief symptoms and improve your overall sense of wellbeing. If you are looking for a personalised and natural way to cope with the profound impact of your loss, Ayurveda is an excellent option.

Don't let grief consume you. Book a complimentary 30-minute call with me today to learn more about how Ayurveda can help you navigate this difficult time and find peace and balance once again.