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Stress, pressure to perform and constant availability throw many people off their inner balance. However, Ayurveda shows us ways in which we can bring our body and mind back into harmony and specifically promote our mental strength - sattva bala. We spoke to naturopath Katja Seeger about what mental health means in Ayurveda and how small rituals in everyday life can help us stay more relaxed.

 

Katja Seeger is a non-medical practitioner, certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and hakomitherapist in further training (mindfulness-centered body psychotherapy). After completing her Master's degree in Ayurveda medicine, she worked for several years as a medical assistant at the Rosenberg Ayurveda Health and Spa Center - primarily in Panchakarma treatments. In her own practice, she helps people with stress-related complaints. From next year, she will take over the mental coaching in the BalaMental cures.

 

Mental health is increasingly taking center stage. What do you mean by mental balance - and why is it so important for our well-being?

Mental health is becoming more and more of a focus as we are increasingly exposed to stress-inducing problems due to our modern lifestyles. For me, mental balance in this context means being mentally stable so that we are better able to deal with stress and our everyday challenges. By building more resilience and resistance, we learn to use our own resources for our well-being, but also to recognize limitations and practice self-acceptance.

 

Ayurveda considers body and mind to be inseparable. How does Ayurvedic psychology explain why stress or emotions can have such a strong influence on our body?

In Ayurveda, the physical and psychological characteristics of each individual person are described in the constitutional types or the three bioenergies (doshas): Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each of the three constitutional types shows different stress patterns or reactions, which can manifest themselves mentally as well as physically. In a Vata personality, for example, stress can manifest itself physically in constipation, migraines or headaches and mentally in restlessness, nervousness or a feeling of being overwhelmed. Knowing your own disposition can be extremely helpful in order to live according to your individual strengths and talents, but also to recognize your own limits. Our mental constitution is also described by the interaction of the gunas (rajas, tamas and sattva). With regard to the stress reaction, which is usually caused by too much rajas, the activating force, Ayurveda pays particular attention to strengthening sattva, i.e. inner contentment and joy.

 

The term "sattva bala" stands for mental strength and inner balance. How can you strengthen or rebuild this quality in everyday life?

Ayurveda provides wonderful and practical concepts for "Sattva Bala". Through a balanced, regular lifestyle, i.e. a healthy balance of work, relaxation, exercise and regeneration, constitutionally appropriate nutrition, as well as concepts for a healthy lifestyle in harmony with our bioenergies and the seasons, we can strengthen mental balance.

 

You work with methods from psychology and Ayurveda. Which approaches or exercises in particular help people to deal better with stress?

Mindfulness-centered body psychotherapy (Hakomi) is based on exploring body experiences in the present moment. In a state of inner awareness, body sensations, feelings and unconscious patterns can be better perceived: This allows obstructive beliefs to become visible and new, beneficial experiences to emerge. Methods from yoga therapy, such as exercise, breathing or relaxation techniques and the aforementioned Ayurvedic approaches are all very helpful in providing holistic support for stress-related complaints.

 

Many people today feel exhausted even though they "function" on the outside. How can you tell if you have lost your inner balance - and when is it time to seek support?

If you feel that you can no longer cope with everyday life, you should seek support: prolonged complaints such as sleep problems, tiredness and exhaustion, feelings of being overwhelmed, but also fears and insecurities that restrict us in our daily lives can be indicators that our inner balance is out of kilter.

 

What small rituals or habits do you recommend to strengthen your own mental health in the long term?

Rituals can make an important contribution to mental health. However, I also think it's important to keep checking for yourself whether the rituals are still helpful or whether they are causing new stress. It can be wonderful to start the day with the Ayurvedic morning routine and mindfulness, yoga and breathing exercises, or to watch the sunrise with a cup of tea. An evening ritual can be helpful for a restful sleep, e.g. a short foot massage or a warm bath before going to bed. Everyone should find out their personal preferences here, as your own constitution also plays an important role.