Dr Oz: Ayurveda Body & Stress Type + Holistic Remedies For Relief

Dr Oz: What’s Your Ayurvedic Body Type?

Using an ancient technique known as Ayurvedic medicine, Dr Oz wanted to help his viewers “tap into their inner calm” and better understand their stress. Ayurveda, translated as “the science of life,” is from India and aims to prevent and treat disease by balancing your mind, body, and spirit using the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air, and space.

There are three Ayurvedic body types, doshas: vata, kapha and pitta, which can help define your mental and physical makeup, giving clues to your personal health and well-being. Each of the three types handle stress differently, which is why it’s important to know your body type, to better understand your Ayurvedic stress type.

Dr Trupti Gokani explained that in Ayurveda, stress is looked at as “disconnection” from your ideal balanced self and an over-connection with the world around us. Take the quiz on the next page to find out your Ayurvedic stress type.

Dr Oz: What Is Your Stress Type?

1. What type of headaches do you get?
   1. Tension with neck pain
   2. Sinus due to allergies
   3. Severe migraines with nausea
2. Which of these issues do you suffer from most:
   1. Constipation or gas and bloating
   2. Fatigue after meals and/or weight gain
   3. Acid reflux
3. Which physical description is most like you:
   1. Dry skin/dry hair
   2. Oily skin/prone to skin growths
   3. Dry eyes/prone to rashes
4. Which emotions do you experience the most:
   1. Feelings of anxiety/restlessness
   2. Feeling sluggish/fatigued
   3. Feeling angry/easily agitated
5. Which one of these personalities sounds like you under pressure or stress?
   1. Changeable moods, high energy in short bursts
   2. Unmotivated and slow speech
   3. Focused and assertive, but at timed hotheaded and hot-tempered

Dr Oz: Understand & Manage Your Stress Type

Tally up your results. If you had mostly number one answers, you’re a vata, or a restless stresser. If you answered mostly number two’s, you’re a kapha, or a withdrawn stresser. Mostly number three’s are pitta’s or intense stressers.

If you’re a vata, you likely have a lot of exuberant vitality and energy, but it is possible to have too much energy. It can lead you to become restless, unfocused, and anxious. The key is to keep yourself calm.

Dr Oz: Control Stress With Vata Body Type

The mountain yoga pose, done twice a day, can be effective in controlling your energy levels. Steady breathing is most important, while attempting to clear your mind and focus only on that moment.

For constipation, a vata can benefit from a warm and soothing daily routine. Senna tea with lemon can work as a natural laxative. It’s important to avoid all cold drinks because, according to Dr Gokani, it can only further fire up your negative vata energy.

Dr Oz: Kapha Stress Types & How To Fight It

If you’re a kapha, you’re nearly the opposite of a vata. You’re a withdrawn stresser, but too much of that kapha energy can cause you to become depressed or doubtful of your own abilities. It can also lead to fatigue and further seclusion. For a kapha, it’s important to get up and move and spend time in the sun to reap the benefits of vitamin D.

Many kapha’s also struggle with oily skin, so Dr Gokani suggested you avoid dairy.

Dr Oz: Are You An Intense Stresser? + How To Relax

If you’re a pitta, you’re an intense stresser. If you tend to lash out or get angry whenever you’re stressed, you’re likely a part of the biggest stress type. You’re likely very organized and driven when you’re in balance, but when you have too much “fire” you can become irritable, judgmental, or arrogant. Think about what you’re doing in your free time and notice whether you’re exercising too intensely. You could benefit from more relaxing exercise like a walk or yoga. In the moment, realize you’re doing all you can at that moment to reduce your critical nature and relax.

To avoid the acid reflux you’re likely prone to, remove spicy or acidic foods from your diet. Add turmeric with black pepper to your daily diet as well.