March 15, 2022 | 41 minutes, 58 seconds
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In this episode of the Ayurveda Meets Modern Science podcast, host John Douillard, DC, CAP, discusses a few mindful tips to help you honor your mental health during a detox.
How to Overcome Mental Obstacles
Mental ama is the Ayurvedic term for emotional impressions or unresolved feelings.
Holding on to negative feelings can impact both your emotional and physical health dramatically. Detox is a great way to reset emotionally, and emotional baggage can get in the way of an effective detox. For example, if you tend to find yourself dwelling on something that occurred in the past or are anxious about a future event, it can be difficult to be mindful and present. It can also be hard to concentrate, sleep, or even eat if you are stressed. A detox is a great way to help you ground, focus on what is in front of you, and balance your energy and mood.
You can prep for a cleanse, as well as complement one, with contemplative and mind-body practices that help you move stuck emotions and realign you with your values and intentions for wellbeing. Those practices can include yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation.
See also How to Detox Digestive + Emotional Ama Ayurvedically
How to Destress Your Detox
You may think you have to rigidly stick to every cleanse prescription, but John is here to tell you that it is ok if you miss a day of herbs or add something you’re craving on occasion. Perfectionism is counter to the mindset an Ayurvedic cleanse promotes.
Even though it can be easy to fall into the habit of measuring and cooking your meals out to the exact amount, this isn’t what makes a cleanse effectively. What is more important is listening to how you are feeling. Are you more stressed? Anxious? Uneasy? If so, you’re letting the cleanse stress you out! Take note and think about what you can change in order for the experience to be pleasant, and in turn, more potent.
When you’re feeling difficult emotions or thinking thoughts that negatively impact your wellbeing, it is best to take a step back to find peace. Getting in nature, doing yoga, and meditating can help you ground yourself throughout cleansing.
See also Meditate Away Stress + Boost Immunity
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