Nervous System Healing Through Ayurveda: Finding Calm in the Chaos of Modern Life
As we head into the darker, slower months of the year, our nervous systems start whispering for rest but the world around us rarely slows down. Between work, family, and holiday expectations, many of us end the year overstimulated, undernourished, and running on empty.
That’s where Ayurveda offers such profound wisdom.
Ayurveda reminds us that true calm isn’t something we achieve by doing more it’s something we cultivate by tending to our inner fire, our agni, and finding balance among the doshas that govern our body, mind, and spirit.
My Own Nervous System Journey
This fall has been a big season of solo parenting for me. My husband’s been working in Iowa most weekends since summer, so it’s been me and the boys at home — navigating everything from soccer games to grocery runs, and all the little in-between moments that can easily tip the nervous system into overdrive.
I’ve had to be intentional about carving out practices that keep me grounded.
Some weekends that’s looked like:
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Yoga Nidra to deeply rest and reset my body.
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A daily meditation and mantra practice that brings me back to my center before the day begins.
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Time for svadhyaya (self-study) to reflect on what I’m learning through this season.
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Little adventures with my boys — heading to our local bookstores (shout out to Barnes & Noble and Wild Rumpus!) and spending time in spaces that inspire curiosity rather than chaos.
When I build these anchors into my week, I notice that both my kids and I are calmer. My energy feels steadier. My digestion is better. My mind is clearer. That’s the beauty of nervous system work — when you regulate, everyone around you benefits too.
Ayurveda & the Nervous System: The Role of Agni
In Ayurveda, our nervous system health is intimately connected to agni, or our digestive fire.
When our agni is strong, we can process not just food, but experiences and emotions.
When it’s weak or erratic, we feel anxious, scattered, or sluggish — the classic signs of nervous system imbalance.
Overstimulation, irregular routines, multitasking, excessive screen time, and lack of sleep all dim our agni and increase Vata dosha, the energy of air and space.
Vata governs the nervous system — so when it’s out of balance, we feel ungrounded, depleted, and reactive.
To restore calm, we want to rekindle agni gently and bring the doshas back into harmony.
How the Three Doshas Influence the Nervous System
Each dosha interacts with the nervous system differently:
🌬 Vata Dosha (Air & Space)
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When imbalanced: anxiety, restlessness, racing thoughts, insomnia, irregular digestion.
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How to soothe: slow, rhythmic routines; warm, grounding foods; oil massage; Yoga Nidra; time in nature.
🔥 Pitta Dosha (Fire & Water)
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When imbalanced: irritability, overworking, burnout, tension headaches, inflammation.
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How to soothe: cooling breaths, gentle movement, time in water, reflective journaling, laughter.
🌿 Kapha Dosha (Earth & Water)
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When imbalanced: heaviness, lethargy, emotional withdrawal, sluggish digestion.
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How to soothe: invigorating practices, warmth, movement, uplifting scents and music, connection.
Why This Work Matters in Perimenopause
During perimenopause, our Vata energy naturally increases, and the nervous system becomes more sensitive.
What once felt manageable might now feel overwhelming. Our agni weakens more easily. The need for stillness, nourishment, and rhythm becomes non-negotiable.
This is why nervous system regulation isn’t just a wellness trend it’s a core part of Ayurvedic women’s health in this phase of life.
When we tend our nervous system, we also tend our hormones, digestion, mood, and sleep.
A Seasonal Invitation: Peri-Pause – The Power of Winter
From December 1–21, I’m guiding a new 3-week immersion called Peri-Pause: The Power of Winter a sacred pause for your nervous system before the year ends.
You’ll receive:
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One live classes — Ayurveda for the Holidays & Yoga Nidra
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Ayurvedic self-care for the Vata season.
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A focus on nervous system nourishment and the balance between yin and yang energy.
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3 workouts to do in the EverFit app
- Community forum to hold you accountable
As the world cools and slows, so do we.
This is your time to come home to your body to reconnect, rest, and restore your natural rhythm.
Join Peri-Pause: The Power of WinterÂ
Weekly Challenge
What dosha might need your attention this winter season?
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