Our modern life is characterized by many stress factors that not only affect our physical health but can also cause psychological and psychological disorders. For example, more and more people are experiencing stress and psychosomatic dissatisfaction that requires psychotherapy. An important specialty of Ayurvedic medicine is the comprehensive treatment of symptoms of psychological stress, such as depression, exhaustion, or sleep disorders.

The Ayurvedic therapeutic approach to all psychological, psychiatric, and stress-related diseases is based on three pillars: 1. Physical purification measures (Panchakarma) and improvement of energy (Rasayana) 2. Psychological support through Ayurvedic speech therapy (Sattvavayaja) 3. Herbs (media), meditation, and prayer are means to support a person's healing process.

The role of nutrition in psycho-psychological balance should not be underestimated. The food we eat and how we prepare it directly affects our thoughts, emotions, and our mind's ability to cope with stress. From this perspective, a healthy diet tailored to your mental needs is the best way to prevent mental and stress-related illnesses.

Sattvavajaya is Ayurvedic psychology that forms the basis of all Ayurvedic medicine along with rational healing and spiritual healing. Basic knowledge of Sattvavaya is necessary to understand and treat psychological conditions in the Ayurvedic context. They detail the nature, function, and pastimes of the mind (Manas), as well as the human mental characteristics (Atman, Buddhi), described here with an introduction to approach empirical treatment strategies. Psychotherapy.- Mental balance.

Fundamentals of Ayurvedic Psychology and Psychonutrition.

Just as our bodies are governed by three doshas, ​​three mental forces determine our mental health or illness. The so-called gunas are also called the doshas of the mind, and their expression determines the emotional and intellectual qualities, interests, weaknesses, and strengths of our mind. Thus our entire mental make-up (Manas-Prakriti) and its disturbances (Manas-Vikriti) are based on the three characteristics of the mind: Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva.

Satva is the living principle of the mind and represents the ideal balance of mental and psychic powers. If a person is characterized by a high content of Sattva in his character, then he kind and peaceful character with moral values ​​and mental strength. According to Ayurveda, mental disorders are always caused by an imbalance of the three arms. Satva, on the other hand, can calm and strengthen the mind by balancing the disturbances caused by excessive raja or tama. In this sense, all Ayurvedic medicine and psychology for mental and mental health are based on measures to stimulate sattva. These include special dietary rules (sattva Sahara), behavioral recommendations (brahmacharya), and herbal remedies that enhance the sattvic properties of the mind (media).

Ayurvedic psychotherapy, Sattva-Chikitsa, suggests that mental disorders such as burnout, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, or insomnia are always caused by an imbalance in raja and tama and a lack of satva. Improper diet and lifestyle, overstimulation and mental stressors, and the natural regulators of mental balance are disrupted. Psychopathogenic processes also involve the Manohava Srotas, circulatory pathways for subtle mental processes. Raja or Tama rises when their work is interrupted by an emotional blockage.

Treatment of mental diseases requires differential diagnosis and treatment for different functions of Manas. These, together with the connections between sensory impressions, thoughts, emotions, and memories, lead to what constitutes an individual's psyche. We process and evaluate the impressions we experience and shape our emotions and behaviors as a result.

Vedic philosophy and Ayurvedic psychology have always associated the mind (manas) and sensory and motor activity (indriya) with the soul (buddhi), where there is a special power associated with the true self (atman). Higher insight and realization result from the union of mana and Buddha, which requires a sattvic environment for the positive realization of positive choice (buddhi). Manas, the mind, has five levels of functioning.

Chintya - visualizing information, capturing experiences in the form of thoughts. Vicarya is the processing of information gathered through experience.

Uhya - formulating ideas based on predictions, hypotheses and analyzed information

Dyeya needs to come to a solid conclusion.

Sankalpiya is creative thinking.

Manas requires a high degree of sattva to perform their functions well. When Raja takes over the mind, thought is very active but ineffective because the transmission of information to the Buddha, the actual decision-making center, is stopped. On the other hand, too much tama slows down or stops mental processes

Buddha, the discernment of the mind, is the most important aspect of the psychotherapeutic process because all mental illnesses are the result of Buddha. According to an individual's life history, with all memories and experiences, each person has created their own 'rating grid' against which all present information and experiences are evaluated. When Buddhi is negatively colored by painful and unresolved experiences or trauma, Manas can automatically receive misjudged information, which can lead to painful and pathological thoughts, feelings, arousal, and delusions.

Therapeutic approaches of Ayurvedic psychotherapy

Ayurvedic psychotherapy is based on a therapeutic approach to the two main attributes of Manas: Uniqueness and Subtlety.

Oneness is the mind's ability to focus on one thing at a time. In the context of psychopathology, the mind becomes fixated on the negative, and leads to destruction. Attempts are now being made to release these locks and direct the mind in a positive direction through mind control and transformation. If you can focus on sattva-enhancing impulses, you can reverse the pathology.

Subtlety likewise describes the subtle and all-encompassing power of memories, thoughts, and emotions that are indelible and often torment psycho-psychological well-being. Especially when the mind is weak and nervous, resistance to negative influences is weakened and the risk of reattachment to pathogenic factors is particularly high.

Sativa-enhancing dietary and behavioral rules allow the mind to develop from a weak state (Avara) to an average strength (Madyam) to a strong mind (Pravara). The simple foods of the Satvik diet are fresh, natural, and vegetarian foods prepared with love and eaten in a peaceful atmosphere. Also, some foods, especially sata, have a positive effect on mental and mental health.