0:11

This week on the Anxiety Slayer podcast,

0:13

we're answering listener questions about

0:15

some of the Ayurvedic practices we've

0:18

been discussing for managing stress and

0:20

anxiety. Before we

0:22

get started, we'd like to give a shout

0:24

out to our new patrons, Barbara,

0:26

Henry, Sandy, and Kelly. Thank

0:28

you so much for supporting our work at

0:31

Anxiety Slayer. If you'd like

0:33

to become an Anxiety Slayer patron and

0:35

unlock a community of support, guidance,

0:37

and inner calm plus more than

0:39

200 downloads, you

0:42

can join today at

0:44

patreon.com/Anxiety Slayer. Today

0:48

we're going to be answering listener

0:50

questions about how to calm your

0:52

fragile mind and some of the

0:54

conversations we've had over the last

0:56

few weeks. Thanks so

0:58

much for getting your questions to us.

1:01

We love answering them and look

1:03

forward to receiving even more in the days ahead.

1:06

Welcome to another week, Ananga. Hey,

1:09

Shen. It's so good to be with

1:11

you and to answer some listener questions this week.

1:16

The first question that came in was,

1:19

can you explain how Ayurvedic

1:21

practices such as meditation

1:24

and breath work contribute

1:26

to more satva or

1:29

cultivating satva and protecting the mind

1:32

from negative influences? Mm-hmm.

1:37

Love that. Mm-hmm. So

1:40

last week we were talking about these

1:42

three qualities of nature,

1:44

three gunas, satva, rajas,

1:46

and tamas. And simply

1:49

put, satva is the one we're aiming

1:51

for, for peace of mind, for

1:53

harmony, for clarity in

1:56

the mind. If you want to know more

1:58

about that topic, you can look back to Ayurvedic. So

2:00

690. How do these

2:02

practices, practices like meditation and breath

2:05

work contribute to cultivating peace? By

2:07

helping bring calm to the

2:09

mind, protecting us from behaving

2:13

rashly and bringing that

2:15

pause for healthy

2:17

thought. Often we're stalled

2:20

by challenging thoughts, negative thoughts, unwanted

2:22

thoughts. But when we have these

2:24

beautiful practices like meditation and

2:27

breath work, we're calming the mind, we're slowing the

2:29

rate of our thoughts and it gives

2:31

us space. It helps bring peace

2:35

and clarity to the mind, which are

2:37

separate qualities in and of themselves. And

2:39

when we have more clarity and peace, we

2:41

can use that space

2:43

and that clear thinking to explore other

2:46

areas that can help us with

2:48

our wellbeing. So

2:50

understanding these three qualities and aiming

2:52

for the quality of Sapa, there's

2:55

so many things that can influence

2:58

it, including meditative practices, but also

3:00

our diet, our lifestyle, the company.

3:02

We keep the things, we need

3:05

the things we watch, our environment, and anything

3:07

we can do to help calm

3:09

and clear the mind paves the

3:12

way for us to explore those

3:14

other choices too. In

3:17

a very conscious way? Making

3:20

choice from really being in the

3:22

present moment and making a conscious

3:26

choice. And

3:28

Kyle Jung says, until you make

3:30

the unconscious conscious, it will direct

3:32

your life and you will

3:34

call it fate. Yeah. And

3:37

that's Tamagoon. That's the lower quality that we

3:39

talked about last week. That

3:41

quality is when we now

3:43

want to make a choice. We don't want to decide,

3:46

but that's also a choice. So

3:48

we're being run by the unconscious

3:50

instincts, subconscious thoughts,

3:52

subconscious feelings and emotions, but

3:55

they're just running the show. And we did

3:57

an episode a few weeks ago about being present

4:00

in our life and not living on autopilot.

4:02

When we're living fully on autopilot, we're

4:04

under the influence of that lower energy, tama

4:06

gun, where everything's

4:08

just rolling over and we're stuck in it and

4:10

we don't think we can change. So

4:14

yeah, these practices really help make

4:16

the unconscious conscious. We can see our

4:18

patterns, we can see our behaviors and

4:20

habits, and then we have the opportunity to make

4:23

positive change that can

4:25

support us in more clarity and more peace.

4:27

Once you start leaning in the

4:29

right direction, you can nourish that energy and

4:31

increase it. Hmm,

4:33

you sure can. The

4:36

next question is, how does Ayurveda view

4:38

the role of mindfulness in

4:41

making conscious choices for your

4:43

mental well-being? It

4:45

really starts with Ayurveda finding

4:49

practices that help us feel present

4:52

and focused right here, right

4:54

now. Mindfulness and

4:56

Ayurveda go hand in hand. It's

4:58

back to what we just mentioned

5:00

about making choices to lift

5:03

our consciousness. Yeah, and

5:05

the fact that anxiety and unsettled

5:07

thoughts are provoked by too much

5:09

incoming information, so mindfulness, present

5:12

moment awareness protects us

5:14

from that overstimulation, just

5:17

bringing the mind to a single-pointed

5:19

focus. Just this morning, I was

5:21

listening to somebody explaining this point

5:24

from the Yoga Sutras of

5:26

Patanjali, and one of

5:28

the verses, 132, recommends

5:30

the practice of fixing the mind

5:33

on one object, and

5:35

the verse says that that should be

5:37

performed as a practice in order to

5:39

eliminate disturbances. So

5:41

that's the point, is to just practice

5:44

bringing the mind to one point of

5:46

awareness, for protection, to

5:49

protect our mind from disturbances. And these days

5:51

we have so much incoming

5:53

information and that disturbs our

5:55

mental well-being. We were

5:57

sharing before we started recording today. about

6:00

both of us have been out in environments

6:02

where there's just too much noise. For

6:06

us to feel settled or comfortable and

6:08

then there's the sense and the light

6:10

and so much movement

6:12

wherever we go. So these practices are protective.

6:14

And the mind, to help the mind settle

6:18

and from that settled place we can

6:20

then make better choices for our mental

6:23

well-being. There's a teaching that

6:25

explains that the movement of our eyes

6:28

affects the rate of our thoughts when our

6:30

eyes are you know

6:32

darting around looking at different things. Everything

6:34

is scrolling on social media very

6:37

much. Our

6:40

thoughts and our minds. What's the

6:42

speaking of adding a scroll up and there's some sudden

6:44

noise and some changing visual. All

6:46

of these things disturb the mind

6:49

so there isn't moment awareness helps.

6:51

Bring peace and it gives us that healthy

6:53

base to consider. No choices. And

6:57

the more you can make conscious

6:59

choices the more satsykh you

7:01

are. The more you are

7:03

going to experience that

7:05

beautiful, peaceful sweetness

7:09

that is possible for each and every one

7:12

of you. We

7:15

do want to let you know that there's

7:17

a quiz that we've created at our Patreon

7:19

that you can access and it's

7:22

called the Three Gunas Quiz and

7:25

it's about discovering your mental

7:27

constitution by reviewing your diet

7:29

and habits and addressing

7:31

where you want to make changes. And

7:35

you can find the Three Gunas Quiz

7:38

at patreon.com/anxiety

7:40

slayer and

7:43

it will be available for our free

7:45

members too so everyone can see it.

7:47

Again that's patreon.com/anxiety

7:50

slayer. Our

7:54

third question that came in this week is

7:57

can you elaborate on how the foods we

7:59

eat can impact our mental

8:01

clarity and that

8:09

begins with fresh foods. Fresh

8:11

foods have the most energy,

8:13

the most vital energy, which

8:15

is called prana and ayurveda. Anytime

8:19

you can have fresh greens

8:21

and fresh fruits and anything

8:23

that is not been sitting on

8:26

a shelf or in a can or in a box,

8:28

anything that is a whole food,

8:31

you're in really, really good shape. Yeah,

8:35

very simple to know what's good

8:37

to eat just by looking at

8:39

fresh, colourful, vital foods.

8:43

When we eat foods that are lacking in vitality,

8:46

stale, canned or processed foods, we don't receive the

8:48

same support either for our

8:50

minds or our bodies. We don't receive the

8:52

same balance on either level.

8:54

Those things are devitalised, those kinds

8:56

of foods are devitalised and they're

8:59

also harder to digest. And

9:01

if you look at them, they just don't look

9:03

as good as fresh fruit

9:05

and vegetables. I always

9:08

love walking past old-fashioned

9:10

grocery stores. There's a market town near us

9:12

where they have big fruit and

9:14

vegetables at the weekend and I

9:16

just love seeing all the colours

9:18

changing according to what's in season.

9:20

And it just looks

9:23

so wholesome and vital. So that's

9:25

the simple key. And

9:27

yeah, it affects our mental clarity, our

9:30

energy and our emotional balance

9:33

by eating fresh, healthy, nourishing

9:36

foods. It gives strength to our body

9:38

and it gives clarity and

9:40

peace to the mind. And

9:43

we know if we eat heavier foods, you can feel it, especially

9:46

once you've made changes to your diet.

9:49

Should you have a spell where you're

9:51

eating more comfort foods very quickly,

9:54

we start to feel sluggish and

9:56

things feel heavier to digest, the body

9:58

feels more lethargic. Yeah.

10:00

You might be in a moment as. Pure

10:03

pleasure while you're eating that.

10:05

A. Large. Meal. Whether.

10:07

That be a. Pizza.

10:09

Or of burger or

10:12

something along those lines.

10:14

But. How do you feel after. It.

10:17

So much harder to digest.

10:21

Processed. Food Big

10:23

meals, Animal Proteins.

10:25

Much much harder. It's.

10:28

One of those things that. You. Don't

10:30

ever want to feel that way again once you've made

10:32

that choice. Yeah. He lets

10:34

you know it really does let's you

10:36

know. And then you you have a

10:38

wonderful. Well balanced, fresh

10:41

plate of food. And

10:43

as a much kinder guest to

10:45

give to your mind and body.

10:48

Yeah. I body lets us know

10:50

the world's in these questions in

10:52

relation to mental clarity and emotional

10:54

balance. And Los We will

10:56

discuss these three. And

11:00

we sit this. everything falls into those

11:03

categories into those who as nature and

11:05

that includes S and. So.

11:07

As also. Goodness

11:12

of clarity. And anything

11:14

in that. Category. Promotes.

11:17

Who the Hell's. Then. Rodgers.

11:20

Is is described as the mode of

11:22

passion. It doesn't mean romantic person means

11:24

more. Activity, ambition,

11:26

striving. For. Jessica

11:29

quality that provoked by things

11:31

like too much spicy food.

11:34

Too hot, too spicy to sell

11:36

c. And Those foods, Of

11:38

course. In

11:43

the body. And nine the

11:45

domestic science which is described

11:47

as amount of ignorance of

11:49

darkness or inertia. Those suits,

11:51

ah, stale. Meat.

11:54

Comes. Under that category old food style

11:56

foods, the vital I suits come on

11:59

to the couch. The green. The

12:01

owner of commerce and I'm like

12:03

to go that consciousness and makes

12:06

us from afar. J. And

12:08

it doesn't. This is the life price. He.

12:10

For mind. And

12:13

from customers subsidies. And.

12:16

You have a book recommendation that you

12:18

mentioned for sad sick cooking. would you

12:20

share that and on the. Field.

12:22

Is a wonderful shift toward do feel

12:24

alter the Ivy. Why A if you

12:26

just put that in google. If

12:29

you put in devious kitchen see I see

12:31

what a. If is

12:33

kitchen. she's an. Irate. Except. She

12:35

has a restaurant in New York.

12:39

If you're in that area to check her out.

12:41

And she's written to beautiful books which has been

12:43

very well received. One is. Called. The

12:45

Joy as parents. And the other

12:48

one is cooled. Look to eat the hell

12:50

you feel. and others are

12:52

is a to clean based. And

12:55

Alexa inside the store with down

12:57

licks and seems slanted she plans

12:59

and. All. Kinds

13:01

of wonderful stuff you can order to

13:03

try. Very beautifully created cook books,

13:05

but a lot of Karen's them. So.

13:08

The website is. If he is

13:10

not. Thanks

13:13

to. Our

13:16

next question is how can we

13:19

navigate the pressure to constantly be

13:21

busy? And prioritize

13:23

self care and stillness. Without.

13:25

Feeling guilty or without feeling

13:28

unproductive move. Which. Is

13:30

a while. I

13:33

understand that question because for many years.

13:35

I. Had a struggle. Navigating.

13:38

That and now not so much. There.

13:41

Is a piece. That

13:43

comes from. Respecting.

13:46

An understanding our own nature.

13:50

And. as our nature is not to

13:52

be in that space of go

13:54

go go due due to work

13:56

for coin to experience. A

13:58

lot of pressure, A lot the stress,

14:00

A lot of. Unhappiness.

14:03

Frankly, Because. It's

14:05

not. Who. We are in I would

14:07

like to save. And more so than that it's

14:09

not as a who any of us really are.

14:13

And we all. Each. And

14:15

every one of us deserve to prioritize

14:17

self care. With. Out

14:19

feeding ourselves up about it. In

14:22

my opinion, most often. The.

14:25

Pressure we feel is a societal

14:27

norms. And.

14:30

This does not mean it has to be. Your mode

14:32

of operation. Try. To see it

14:34

for what it is and then adjust accordingly.

14:38

Nothing. The more settled we all

14:40

in understanding of respecting our own

14:42

nature. Member We had a

14:44

conversation few years ago. notes on our. Hc

14:47

and and I think it'll soon

14:49

as social anxiety go swimming. Discussed

14:52

Susan Cain's book Plants. Are

14:54

of interest in a world that. Won't Stop Talking to a

14:56

New and I both read the book. And

14:59

we took the quiz an undisclosed.

15:01

Our findings in the quiz and we both knew

15:04

we were. inch. Of

15:06

A.i didn't realize how much of

15:08

an introvert I am. Yeah, and

15:10

it was clear, oh, I'm a

15:13

supportive. Step. Having

15:15

that conversation and really spending time with

15:17

that book because it helps me. Claim.

15:20

That way I operate when she says things

15:22

like you rather be a party or home.

15:25

In. Your pajamas within. A good

15:27

book. I'm really go for the book

15:29

options and very happily and I don't feel

15:31

like I'm missing out on anything at all.

15:33

in such as I was about to eat

15:35

or be wishing of the. Home with the book. This.

15:39

Protections in Living According to

15:42

Our Nature Festival in. Using

15:44

common practice is journaling. Writing

15:47

reflects talking to people we

15:49

trust to understand our nature.

15:52

And then to settle in there and to

15:54

be happy that. I am. Who

15:56

I am. This

15:59

is how I am a. You don't have to

16:01

conform with anyone else. It is eager

16:03

a while. Some clothes says i be me and

16:05

you'd be view. And as a peace

16:07

in that, and it's respectful. When.

16:09

We try to confirmed societal norm it's

16:11

not respectful and I as a side.

16:14

Is. Not possess himself. Specs

16:16

on was x ray as

16:19

an expectation of conformity. Nature

16:23

was so much in the education

16:25

system where. Children expect is

16:27

in many schools as the same. Learning.

16:30

Style. And sit into

16:32

certain books as we see our

16:34

children struggling. With. That. And

16:37

friends. With.

16:39

We feel guilty or on product is

16:41

that's one kind of suffering if we

16:43

feel overwhelmed arose a strange, that's another

16:45

kind of suffering. But. There's a

16:48

beautiful lady teaching on the principle of

16:50

dharma. That. Teaches

16:52

that dama is a principle. It's a

16:54

it's a living cosmic principal. and when

16:56

we're in alignment with us, And

16:59

we understand and honor our nature. Then

17:02

this protection in that. And

17:05

then I'd also like to say. What?

17:07

Is still miss and self

17:09

care? Actually lead to

17:12

increased productivity. Because

17:14

it's what I found. Yeah, And.

17:17

They do. Certainly

17:20

more efficiency on a slight

17:22

recession season have. Lost

17:25

the saying more. Hanks Less Speed. We

17:28

start rushing around trying to multitask and we

17:30

just get more stress. On

17:32

weeknights. Thanks. And we can.

17:38

right? It's a really uncomfortable place today.

17:40

so yeah is usually the text stillness a

17:42

self can lead to increased. Productivity.

17:46

And. Only we can give us

17:48

permission for the experience. And.

17:51

Then finally our last question.

17:54

For. This week is how can I

17:56

incorporate i have a that principles

17:58

into my work environment? To

18:01

create a space that supports. Mental.

18:03

Harmony. And productivity.

18:07

Which. Is. And I wish

18:09

more people were it asking this question. Especially

18:11

for those who are going into an

18:14

office environment. You. And I've

18:16

been working from home now from many, many

18:18

years. But. We. Both at one

18:20

point worked in a. Bustling

18:22

office environment with lots of people,

18:24

lots of comings and goings and.

18:27

And it is a a different world

18:29

for sure. And. There are

18:31

many things that you can do to.

18:33

Incorporate more. I are

18:36

basic principles, simple choices.

18:38

That you can make. Something.

18:40

As. As. Sweet as

18:43

taking a living plant.

18:46

To. Your office and putting it on your desk.

18:50

Creating. Food in

18:52

advance? Maybe meal prepping for your

18:54

lunches? So. That you have

18:56

nursing home cooked food that you can

18:58

eat. Or perhaps exploring

19:01

local options for a healthy and

19:03

fresh lunch. Is. It just sucks.

19:05

A couple of things that she can do. Certainly.

19:08

We recommend hydration, take care of

19:10

water bottle, take your flask of

19:12

or herbal tea or. Whatever.

19:15

You enjoy drinking but stay

19:17

hydrated throughout the day. Yeah.

19:20

making your workspace as comfortable, As.

19:23

Possible for com focus, there's lots

19:25

his ear plugs available now with

19:27

decent grades as sound canceling: "I

19:29

have some the I use his.

19:32

Meeting in a in a coffee shop

19:34

person outside as sometimes I wear them

19:37

inside the house is. And

19:41

I just read. Peacefully house as

19:43

noise canceling headphones, But at once

19:45

we might not be in a situation where we can

19:47

use headphones if he can. And have your

19:50

own playlist of relaxing music. Than.

19:52

That's a really good option, but otherwise.

19:55

They're. These discrete if I'm cleanses a

19:57

plug swamp popular make his food

19:59

loot. Mind. You can choose how

20:01

much are able to hear season still have

20:03

people talking around you. But. You can

20:05

just take the. Rumble. The.

20:08

Over stimulating rumble of noise. Down.

20:11

So that's one. Option to explore. using.

20:15

Essential Oils. Are the

20:17

wearing them on your wrist sizing a

20:19

diffuser new desk? Assess Possible. Taking.

20:22

Stretching a breathing breaks as much as

20:24

possible. And avoiding

20:27

insurrections that are of

20:29

stressful disrespectful which. Also.

20:31

Ties in with the previous question about really.

20:34

Understanding our nature and how we'd like

20:36

to. Show up and how

20:38

we like to interact with those things all

20:40

in alignment with the and I have a

20:43

dick. Lifestyle just bring in as much.

20:45

Peace. And harmony into a day. As

20:48

we can. While. Doing the

20:50

things. We need to do. Is

20:52

is somebody that's responsible for a workspace the new

20:54

you to make changes on a larger scale. you

20:57

might be able to. Make. Changes

20:59

that bring in more natural

21:01

light, more plant, small brain

21:03

establish ground rules for respect.

21:06

And support staff members.

21:09

Or things to consider. But. I

21:11

just really being open to. Have

21:13

your mindset that looks the things that

21:16

can be gently changed and improved rather

21:18

than selling books and so place where.

21:21

We're. Not comfortable and we're not happy spending

21:23

time seeing. How. We can change

21:25

in how we can explore these qualities of nature

21:27

and bring. Venmo. Sons have been

21:30

more harmony. And gentleness

21:32

and peacefulness and clarity into

21:34

a workspace. Become

21:37

an anxiety slayer patron and I'm

21:39

like a community of support, guidance

21:41

and enter com. Last.

21:43

More than two hundred downloads. Joined.

21:46

Today at Patriot that

21:49

com/anxiety slayer. Thanks.

21:52

So much for listening! We. Look

21:54

forward to coming back again next week

21:56

and again thanks to all of our

21:58

patrons! And. To those his son.