Energy Series #1: Vata: Feeling Frazzled? Find Calm & Energy | Ep. 124

Hello. Welcome back to the Holistic Inner Balance Podcast. I'm Hadlee.

And I'm Dr. Nicole.

Welcome back. We are so excited. We are going to give you a little series of podcast episodes about how to optimize your energy and really Boost your energy in the short and long term for each dosha. So for your unique mind-body constitution, and I am really, really excited. I've been thinking about this a lot because a lot of times in our culture, we think of, okay, I have low energy. What do I need to do for that? But with the different doshas, we can have a much better view, a much better picture of like. Actually, what is needed for if you have low energy with a lot of vata in your constitution, or with, with a vata imbalance, is going to be totally different from what you need if you have low energy and you have more kapha going on or more pitta going on there. You need completely different things. So there is no one-size-fits-all for like, oh, you're feeling low energy, do this. I mean, maybe drink coffee, but But that's going to potentially deplete your energy further depending on your dosha too. So stay tuned for which doshas are most depleted by coffee and which dosha— there's one of them that actually can benefit from coffee. So stay tuned.

Oh, please let it be vata. I'm so happy to be here. So you might hear it clinking in the background. I like to call myself out in these conversations. And so, Hadlee, you're talking about coffee. That's my favorite way to boost energy, right? And I have this like pink coffee cup that I have been nursing since 9:00 AM. It's like 3:30 now. Yep. And I'm excited about this conversation. I feel like we could all benefit from more energy, but I don't know about you, but I find that stimulants don't all hit the same way. So like, Some things that are energizing can make me feel wired and tired.

Exactly. Some

just stimulate my body, and my body's vibrating and my heart is palpitating, but my brain is sluggish and my eyelids are halfway shut. And so I'm like, well, that's the opposite of what I want. And so I love that we have an opportunity to get more specific. And it always goes back— I love to bring this back to the philosophy. I feel like what makes our conversations really unique from anything else you're going to hear out there is that we perceive symptoms, whether it's like heart palpitations or gas and bloating or headaches or anxiety or ADHD, we perceive those symptoms as indicators from your body about what needs healing and how. That fits in so well with the philosophy of Ayurveda, which way precedes Any of us, you know, it's thousands and thousands of years old, and so we're just catching up with our modern understanding of what you know our predecessors knew long times ago. So as I sit here and sip my coffee, let's let's learn about. You want to start with vata today?

Yes, let's do it. Yeah, so it's interesting. So the type of vata. like low-energy feeling. It's, it's a feeling of depletion. So this is the kind of like, it's like fatigue. It's not lethargy. It's not like feeling heavy and dull and that kind of thing. That's another dosha. We'll get into that later. It's not even necessarily— there can be an element of this, there can be an element of burnout. That's another dosha, though. So there's going to be more, more pitta involved in that one. We'll get into that later. But it's like a feeling of it, like an empty, hollow feeling of low energy. So, you know, it might come after a bout of like you just doing so much, like you're just like, you're like all over the place and not in the sense of like high ambition, like, you know, that kind of thing. That's more like burnout. That's like pitta. But it might just be like you did a bunch of stuff today and you're looking back at the day and you're like, what did I even do today? And it might be that you like don't have any routine. Things just feel all over the place. That can create that depletion. Same with, you know, if you're not— if you're not eating nourishing, nurturing foods, that can also cause depletion. A lot of the trendy health fads are like doing like a juice cleanse or doing— or, you know, everyone thinks that salad is healthy and salad is healthy for some people at some times. Like, there's no— this is healthy and this is not healthy. There's differences between what's going on in your body, in the environment around you, what your imbalances are, what your constitution is, all of that stuff. So Sometimes we will eat this like really low-fat kind of diet, you know, lots of salads, lots of juices, lots of smoothies, lots of, you know, people will be like raw vegan or even just vegan, and that can cause depletion of energy, and that is a vata Vata imbalance. So if you're feeling like, oh my gosh, I just like, I just feel like I need someone to come and like pick me up and hold me. That's kind of the Vata depletion. Does that make sense? That kind of difference between the types of, of low energy?

I'm making a list, like a checklist. And so it's like a Vata fatigue. And I'm thinking about the different ways like chronic fatigue could show up.

Vata. Totally. Yeah.

And so it's like, I feel depleted, I feel hollow, I feel empty. I feel like I'm just falling apart. I'm wondering if the word weak would resonate with Vata.

Absolutely. Yes.

Because we talk about that nuance in integrative medicine is like, is it heavy or is it weak? Is it like the different sensations? So weakness.

Yeah.

And so those are all vata. And then of course we can confirm by looking at the other bodily systems for other symptoms.

Right.

But you were describing again, so vata. So you may have a vata type of fatigue if you're depleted, fatigued, hollow, empty. You feel like you're just kind of falling apart. You want someone to gather you and lift you up. And then that kind of weakness.

Totally. And you might be You might have some like spurts of energy where you're like just a tornado and then feel this like, oh my God, what? You know, what has happened to my body? And you can— there can be like much more intense versions of this and there can be small versions of this. Like sometimes if I have, you know, worked out a bunch and not eaten enough food, I can feel this way even though I don't have that much vata in my constitution. Anyone can feel any of these things, but there are different things that we need in order to replenish our energy levels for the different doshas.

So let's say that you're in a vata state of depletion. What are the solutions?

Okay, so there's— I kind of have outlined 3 different things. So the first thing that your body needs is like rest and nervous system regulation. I mean, all of the doshas can benefit from nervous system regulation, but really, like, grounding is the thing for, for vata. You might be like, well, I'm already grounded because I, like, am so depleted that I can't do anything. But there are specific practices that you can do, and we have a ton of episodes about, like, nervous system regulation. So you can go back and listen to those. We have specific practices in there as well. For, for vata, I really, really emphasize body-based nervous system practices because you need that grounding so, so much because vata tends to be like the air and ether elements are what, you know, are the elements of vata. And so vata tends to be like kind of up in, up in the ethers and in that feeling of weakness. You just need that more of that grounding. So nervous system regulation practices, sometimes people don't think of that as being energizing because they're like, oh, well, you know, I need to like do a high-intensity interval training thing and like, you know, get, get my blood pumping and then I'll be energized. But if you have this vata depletion, doing a nervous system practice, you could even do yoga nidra where you like lie, lie on the ground and do— I mean, it has you kind of doing some bilateral stimulation. all of that great stuff, uh, afterwards you might feel totally rejuvenated and refreshed and like, oh my gosh, that's exactly what I needed, if you have that vata depletion. So that's the first thing, is like rest and regulation, essentially.

I want to add to that is I had a Transcendental Meditation teacher who taught about the research into Transcendental Meditation and how a 20-minute meditation can be more restful than several hours of sleep for the nervous system.

Yeah, totally. Same with yoga nidra. Yoga nidra means yogic sleep. And for someone who has a mind that tends to go all over the place, yoga nidra is really helpful because it has you do some things with your mind until you get into a more regulated state. So for me, transcendental meditation was really hard for me because I had to just focus on the mantra over and over again. And so Yoga Nidra was really helpful to just be like, okay, now do this with your mind and now do this. And then it like comes into the calm rather than starting with the calm, if that makes sense. Because we got to also go with the dosha. We got to like work with the dosha. So if your mind is going all over the place, going right to something that is like super Like grounded and calm and stuff, it might not be as accessible. So we want to do something that's going to help you get there, if that makes sense.

Brilliant. So you started us with habits or behaviors that we can do, rest and nervous system regulation. You gave us some good strategies. You said grounding, earthing, yoga nidra, meditation. I talked— I wrote a note here for myself of lying on your back with your legs up in the air.

Yeah, like up the wall. Yeah, yeah, that's great. I mean, I've said this before, but my favorite thing for nerve— I do this every morning, like I do a meditation lying down on my foam roller with the foam roller along my spine. So a lot of times people put it the other way, like it's like perpendicular to your spine, but this is like your spine is along the foam roller. And it just— it like opens— it very gently opens up your body, which in turn regulates your nervous system. If you're in like a contracted state, it like very gently opens it up. So not too forcefully, but it opens it up so that you can feel more like you're in a state of regulation. I love

it. That's so good. A couple more hacks for us, I'd love. You talked about caffeine in the beginning, and I'm really banking on this being the answer.

Okay, so unfortunately it's not vodka. Okay, I'm sure you could have guessed that. You guys

are gonna have to listen to the next episodes then to figure out which it is.

Totally, yes. So for me, if I'm feeling this way, if I'm feeling— if I haven't had enough sleep, that's going to cause like vata depletion. If I haven't had enough sleep and, you know, haven't been nourishing myself with like really like actually— people think of nourishing as salads too, but like salads are not nourishing. They are cleansing, but they're not nourishing. Nourishing are like oily, like soups and, and root vegetables and things like that. So yeah, I— if I drink coffee during that, I will just be wired and tired. I will still— I will not be any more awake. I will simply be like anxious, anxious and tired. So it is not It is not helpful for this kind of vata depletion and fatigue. The other thing about coffee that, that they say in Ayurveda is like it's borrowing energy from the next day. So it's going to— in the long term, it's going to make you feel even more and more depleted.

Oh, I'm writing that down.

Yeah,

borrowing energy from tomorrow. Wow, that's really good. So what, what can I take or eat?

Yes. Okay, so with this vata depletion, you want to be eating actually like grounding, grounding foods. So things like bone broth, things like root veggies. Um, I love a grain bowl. Uh, I mean, even like meats as long as they're like high-quality, organic, grass-fed, all of that good stuff. Though I would say slow-cooked as well. Slow-cooked meats are going to be really, really nourishing. Like, that's, that's got so many vitamins and minerals that that is nourishing. It is building mass, essentially. That's what kind of like nourishing is in Ayurveda versus like cleansing, detoxing, that kind of thing, which is more of the Like salads and stuff like that, which is really beneficial for other doshas at other times. So we want to bring in those really grounding things. Now, if you are like, fuck you, I'm not giving you my coffee, like I'm turning this podcast off, I totally get it. Some things that you can do, especially if you're you know, especially if you're drinking like a ton of coffee, I don't want you to just like go cold turkey, stop drinking coffee, and then like have all of the, you know, headaches and the different things that can happen. So what I would do— what this is, what I always do actually with, with coffee, I never drink it just plain, just black. I, I always add some, some fat to it. So for me, I usually use coconut oil or not coconut oil, coconut cream or coconut milk, like canned coconut milk, because that has like the— it's if you're just going to use like coconut milk from, you know, from a carton or whatever, that, that doesn't have that much fat in it. But coconut cream, coconut milk from a can, I will add some of that. And that also, that also can be helpful for Pitta. I'll talk about why that is too. You could also add like You've heard of like Bulletproof Coffee. That is helpful because it doesn't, it doesn't create that like that spike and crash that will make you feel more depleted. It will be more of a slow, slow release. And also eat food before you drink the coffee, please. Please. If you have the spots of depletion, especially like Please eat food first and drink water before your coffee too. Like, please, at least 8 ounces. I drink like 20 ounces of water before I— or sometimes more than that. But before I drink coffee, if I'm going to drink coffee, I usually— it depends on the day for me.

What about— I'm thinking about Cordyceps. And I feel like cordyceps has been studied to be really good at immunomodulating. Like, it's a balancer, so it doesn't stimulate the immune system or suppress the immune system. It modulates the immune system. And I've seen some research into how it could be also that way for our doshas. What is your take?

Yeah, totally. Um, I think a lot of the adaptogenic mushrooms are going to be really helpful for vata. So, you know, having like a— what are they called? Like Four Sigmatic, or there's a really great brand called Rasa, and it's a coffee alternative. One of their coffees has a little— like, one of their coffee alternatives has a little bit of coffee in it for when you're weaning down, but they have a blend of adaptogens in there. So adaptogens are really helpful for— they help your body adapt. Exactly. Yeah. So they can be really helpful, especially for that vata depletion, but really for a lot of different things with the doses too. Yeah.

I'm thinking like cordyceps, lion's mane. I'm thinking about Amala, which is tridoshic, right? So it balances all 3. Amala? Uh-huh. Yes.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

My teacher called it Amala, but I also didn't know how to say Ayurveda either when I met you. Always default to what has—

I could very, very well be saying it wrong. I don't know. I just— maybe you've only read it. I don't know.

Yeah. So, AMLA.

Okay. Yeah, yeah, AMLA.

And then— and that's

an

Ayurvedic herb. Yeah, it's from India.

I mean, all herbs are Ayurvedic, to be clear. All herbs are Ayurvedic. That one is specifically from India. A lot of times people think that, like, only the herbs from India are Ayurvedic, but All of them are.

So maybe a little bit of that at nighttime. And, uh, so I have a dear friend, his name is Pranav Lad, and he taught me a lot before I met Hadlee, who taught me 90% of what I know. I learned from Hadlee.

Well, his dad wrote the textbooks that I learned from with Ayurveda.

So he's such a kind, wonderful, brilliant person, and he taught me about how the best way to get Amla or triphala is a powder, and when you really need it and you're out of balance, it will taste bitter. And so it's best to put it in a little bit of water and to drink it as you could get that immediate biofeedback of, do I need this or not? And then the longer you take it, the better it will taste. It'll start to taste less bitter, more like sawdust, and then you're done.

Yeah.

So you could do a little bit of that at night with maybe some ashwagandha, and that can help people relax. And it also over time will boost energy and vitality. And then in the morning, if you need something a little bit more stimulating, I'm thinking like we were talking about the mushrooms, like Hadlee, you

were

giving us good ideas on that. And then Panax ginseng or Korean ginseng or otherwise called Asian ginseng is much more stimulating. And so you would do that in the early part of your day. Maybe mix that with a little bit of Maca or cordyceps at that time if you want. So those are a couple of quicker hacks. Like, Panax is going to give you a little bit more of a boost in the moment. So instead of having a coffee, do a cup of Panax tea.

Totally.

Yeah. Something like that.

I also make matcha lattes, which has caffeine, but it's a lower dose. And I also make it with milk because that is more of that nourishing quality. I mean, I make it with almond milk. I don't make it with dairy milk, but— and it has vanilla in it, which is lovely and also great for vata. Oh, I was going to say something else about herbs. Oh, golden milk is amazing for herbs.

Great idea. Golden milk. And it's so delicious.

Yeah, it's so good. Yeah. I mean, you can find many, many, many golden milk recipes online and you could put— if you want to make it extra nourishing, like before bed, if you're feeling really super, super, super depleted, like I would add, I would add some ghee. Or if you wake up hungry, I have a a client right now who's— who started doing this and she was like, I've been waking up hungry at like 4 a.m. And I— and, you know, we were talking about different things that you can do and she started doing the golden milk with, I think, coconut oil. It was either coconut oil or ghee in it, or she might have made it with canned coconut milk, whatever. All of these things have fat, which is the nourishing, the nourishing grounding thing that you need. And She was like, I have not woken up in the middle of the night hungry. I didn't do it like 2 nights when I got home from a trip. And I was like, why am I sleeping so poorly? And then she was like, oh, it's because I haven't been doing— I haven't been doing the golden milk thing. So like, that can be really, really beneficial as well.

This has been So amazing. I took like half a page of notes, Hadlee.

I love it.

In this conversation, we talked about how to boost your energy in the short term and in the long term. And so you talked about getting to the root of the imbalanced dosha because you don't want to just stimulate the body. And so you talked about some habits, some nutritional changes, and then we threw in some supplements. I love that you mentioned the adaptogens. Some adaptogens take time and the benefits will kick in after 6 weeks or so. Some are a little bit more stimulating and faster, like Panax. And so if you guys have any other thoughts or hacks or questions or ideas, let us know in the comments.

Totally. And the cool thing about all, like, pretty much all of the things that we talked about is they will give you more energy right now. And as you continue to do them, they will build your energy more and more and more too. So like, Win, win, win, win, win, win, win,

win.

Yes.

So next up, you guys check out the other episodes. We have one about if you're more of a pitta predominant or kapha. And so looking forward to learning more with you next time.

Yes. See you guys.

See you later.

Bye.