Stress is one of the common issues, which often left ignored by everyone until it directly impacts the health. The cause of stress could be work-related, stress due to existing disease, family stress, economic burden, study burden and many more. Behavioural change, discomfort and emotional reflexes are common symptoms of stress. is now recognized as a causative factor of many diseases such as Blood Pressure, Auto immune diseases, Anxiety, IBS (Irritable Bowel Disease) and many more. It is also claimed to be associated with individual’s immunity. If the stress level is high, the person is more prone to have life style disorders. The change in individual behaviour and emotional state are very common sign of being stressed. Stress also lower the immunity and accelerate the progression of all diseases. Stress, when remain for long duration can cause depression in an individual.

According to Ayurveda, the state of stress leads to imbalance in Doshas (Vatta, Pitta and Kapha). Stress leads to overactivity of brain with release of epinephrine and cortisol hormone which is responsible for physiological changes in the body such as change in pulse, blood pressure, blood glucose and heart rate.

According to Ayurveda, stress impact the motor functions and enzymatic activities which leads to Vatta and pitta imbalance respectively. Kapha in response to the increased Vatta and Pitta get vitiated and bring heaviness, darkness and stagnant behaviour of body & mind. The entrapped Vatta and Pitta circulates throughout the body leading to different symptoms such as body-ache, confusion, indigestion, alter hunger, increase body activities and many others. This imbalance in all three doshas interferes with normal functioning to brain and cause depression.

Ayurvedic management: In modern medicine, there is no sure cure of stress and depression. The chemicals used in modern medicines cause suppression of brain responses for symptomatic and temporary relief with abundance of side-effects. In contrast, Ayurvedic methodology of treating stress and depression are gentle, natural with no side effects promising long term benefits with balanced state of all physical humors. Stress management, in Ayurveda is based on the body-mind constitution of Individual and the imbalanced state of Doshas.

Stress can be managed by two ways in Ayurveda:

• Life style management
• Ayurvedic Panchkarma treatments and medicines

The ayurvedic treatments not only balance the Mind- Body relationship, it also promotes the overall level of inner contentment which is a natural ANTIDOTE to Stress and Depression. One of therapy use in Stress and Depression is Shirodhara which is highly recommended in Stress, Anxiety, Insomnia and Hypertension. Shirodhara is the most effective therapy to promote calmness, level of concentration and longevity of life. It balances the Mind-body axis and reduce the excessive vitiated Doshas from nervous System. Various herbs and formulations such as Brahmi (Bacon monnieri), Ashwaganda (Withania Somnifera) and Jatmansi ( Nardostachys) work as natural nervine tonic and have been found very effective in management of stress, insomnia and other mental health issues.