Balancing Old Age Anger and Irritability with Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach

Introduction:

If you notice your elderly loved one becoming increasingly moody and unpleasant, expressing anger, unhappiness, or sadness towards others’ behavior, it may not simply be a facet of their personality, but rather a symptom of an underlying ailment. These behavioral changes can be distressing, but understanding the root causes can lead to solutions that bring them peace and improve your relationship with them. One possible contributor to such emotional shifts is excess pitta in mano vaha srotas, the channel of the mind, as explained in Ayurveda. While balanced pitta supports positive mental and emotional qualities, its aggravation can manifest as anger, irritability, and other fiery emotions. This article aims to delve into the underlying causes of these imbalances and offer practical guidance on how Ayurveda, yoga, exercise, and herbal remedies can effectively alleviate irritability and foster emotional well-being. Understanding the Imbalances:

Ayurveda teaches us that like increases like, and opposites balance. Pitta dosha, characterized by qualities like heat and sharpness, can become aggravated by factors such as diet, lifestyle habits, and experiences. Excess pitta tends to manifest as anger and irritability, indicating an imbalance that requires attention.

Challenges in Old Age

1. Hormonal changes: First, our dopamine levels decline as we age, making elderly people susceptible to dopamine-deficient depression. It’s also well known that declining estrogen levels during menopause, along with resulting physical changes can cause women to experience irritability, sadness and anxiety. Men also experience hormonal changes. The gradual decrease in testosterone, known as andropause, is often accompanied by emotional imbalance as well as physical changes, from general loss of fitness, to baldness, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, etc., and has been increasingly linked to depression. And, while women tend to exhibit “low mood” or cope by talking to their support group, men are more likely to mask depression with anger, hence the proverbial angry old man syndrome.
2. Physical ailments and chronic pain: As we age, our bodies deteriorate and we’re no longer as active as we once were. Seniors often experience multiple ailments, from weak eyesight and diminished hearing to weakened immune systems and heart or breathing issues. Pain, especially chronic pain, and the resulting lack of sleep and fatigue can further exacerbate the issue. Moreover, certain prescription medications can interact with each other causing mood swings and emotional outbursts.
3. Dementia: Mood changes have been shown to be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease and are common in many types of dementia, especially as disease progresses.
4. Loneliness: A third of older adults in the U.S suffer from social isolation and loneliness. This can be particularly severe when they live alone and experience losses as their circle of friends becomes smaller. Even when seniors don’t live alone, busy lifestyles and constant demands on our time mean seniors get limited meaningful quality time with us. This affects not only their emotional wellbeing but also, eventually, their social skills.
5. Changing world: Accepting change is hard. Even if seniors can deal with physical changes to their bodies, they also must adapt to challenging social roles. Post-retirement routines, rapidly changing consumer trends that require online appointments, bill-paying, product-ordering, and delivery arrangements, rideshare apps, and constantly changing tech devices may gradually overwhelm them or make them feel like they no longer belong.
6. Attention Seeking Behavior in Elderly Adults

It’s possible that the answer to your question, “Why are old people so mean?” is simply that they want or need attention. Elderly people may be jealous of your social life, have low self-esteem, or just feel lonely. Their quest for attention may manifest as anger, just like a young child would when they are not sure how else to communicate.

Balancing Anger with Ayurvedic Principles:

1.Supportive Diet: A pitta-pacifying diet plays a crucial role in preventing the accumulation of excess heat in the body. This involves avoiding hot, spicy, and sour foods while favoring those that are cooling and nourishing. Emphasizing sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes can help soothe pitta’s intensity.

 

2. Supportive Lifestyle Habits: Establishing a daily routine grounded in nature’s rhythms can have a calming effect on the mind. Consistency in waking up, eating, and sleeping times provides stability and reassurance to the body, reducing pitta’s hold on the mind.

 

3. Mindfulness Practices: Practices like meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), and yoga help re-pattern the mind and balance psycho-spiritual tendencies. These practices clear mental channels, support prana flow, and foster calm serenity, easing tendencies towards anger and irritability.

 

4. Nasya : Nasya, or nasal application of medicated Ghee/oil i.e Bhrami Ghee, soothes the mind and promotes mental clarity.

Abhyanga: self-massage with cooling oils, calms the nervous system and buffers against reactive states.

Padabhyanga: (Foot massage) with Coconut or some other medicated oil gives good quality of sleep.

Shirodhara: Pouring medicated oil or butter milk formulated with decoction prepared by Brain tonic herbs calm down the neuronal hyperactivity in the brain and control down other associated problems i.e HTN and Anxiety etc.

ShiroAbhyanga: (Head massage) with medicated oil i.e Bhrami oil or Bala oil , Bhringraj oil etc calm down neuronal hyperactivity and increase quality of sleep.

 

5. Keeping Cool Physically: Managing physical heat through clothing choices, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and using cooling colours helps prevent excess heat from affecting the mind.

 

6. 6. Appropriate Exercise and Yoga : Exercise tailored to one’s constitution and current state of balance can release tension and promote emotional stability without aggravating pitta.

Savasana (Corpse Pose): It relaxes the body and calms the mind by decreasing the heartbeat through deep awareness over the breath while shallow and deep respiration.

Ksepana mudra: Ksepana mudra is the perfect mudra to practice when you feel angry, frustrated, stressed, bothered, or have low energy.

 

7. Herbs for Cooling and Soothing: Ayurvedic herbs like tulsi, shatavari, and amalaki have cooling and rejuvenating properties that help pacify pitta and support emotional well-being. These herbs can be consumed in various forms such as powders, tablets, or extracts.

Foods to Include:

1. Sweet: Incorporate naturally sweet foods like ripe fruits (e.g., apples, pears, berries), sweet vegetables (e.g., carrots, sweet potatoes), and whole grains (e.g., rice, oats) into your meals.
2. Bitter: Include bitter greens such as kale, spinach, and dandelion greens in salads or cooked dishes. Bitter herbs like fenugreek and turmeric can also be beneficial.
3. Astringent: Opt for astringent foods like legumes (e.g., lentils, chickpeas), beans, and certain fruits (e.g., pomegranates, grapes). These foods help balance excess heat in the body.
4. Cooling Drinks: Drink plenty of cool, refreshing beverages like water, coconut water, and herbal teas (e.g., peppermint, chamomile) between meals to stay hydrated and maintain a cool internal environment.

Foods to Avoid:

1. Hot and Spicy: Steer clear of hot and spicy foods such as cayenne pepper, chili peppers, and spicy sauces, as they can aggravate pitta and contribute to irritability.
2. Sour and Acidic: Avoid sour or acidic foods like pickles, vinegar, and citrus fruits, as they can increase heat in the body and exacerbate irritability.
3. Fermented Foods: Minimize consumption of fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and vinegar-based condiments, as they can have heating effects on the body.
4. Alcohol and Caffeine: Limit or eliminate alcohol and caffeine intake, as they are known to stimulate pitta and may worsen irritability.

General Guidelines:

1. Whole Foods: Focus on consuming whole, unprocessed foods that are nourishing and easy to digest. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins.
2. Minimize Stimulants: Reduce intake of processed foods, stimulants, and refined sugars, as they can disrupt energy levels and exacerbate mood swings.
3. Healthy Cooking Methods: Opt for gentle cooking methods like steaming, boiling, and stewing to retain the natural Flavors and nutrients of foods.
4. Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating by chewing your food thoroughly, eating in a relaxed environment, and paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues

 

Reducing irritability can be achieved through various strategies, drawing from both traditional wisdom and modern practices. Here are some effective ways to alleviate irritability and promote emotional well-being:

 

1. Cultivate Social Connections: Making new friends and engaging in social activities can provide a supportive network and foster a sense of belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and irritability.

 

2. Explore New Interests: Introducing a new hobby or pursuing activities that bring joy and fulfilment can distract from negative emotions and promote a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

 

3. Embrace Outdoor Activities: Spending time outdoors can have a rejuvenating effect on the mind and body. Whether it’s a leisurely walk-in nature or engaging in outdoor sports, connecting with the natural world can help alleviate stress and irritability.

 

4. Practice Volunteering: Helping others through volunteering not only benefits the community but also offers a sense of purpose and fulfilment. Engaging in acts of kindness and service can shift focus away from personal frustrations and foster a positive outlook.

 

5. Establish Consistent Routines: Maintaining a regular daily routine can provide structure and stability, reducing stress and promoting emotional balance. Consistency in waking up, eating, and sleeping times helps regulate biological rhythms and contributes to overall well-being.

 

6. Prioritize Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for emotional regulation and mental clarity. Going to bed and waking up at consistent times supports healthy sleep patterns and can reduce irritability caused by fatigue or disrupted sleep.

 

7. Mindful Eating Habits: Paying attention to meal times and making nutritious food choices can positively impact mood and energy levels. Eating balanced meals at regular intervals helps stabilize blood sugar levels and prevents irritability due to hunger or nutritional imbalances.

 

8.Limit Stimulants: Minimizing consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods can help regulate mood and prevent spikes in irritability caused by stimulant-induced fluctuations in energy and mood.

 

By incorporating these strategies into daily life, individuals can effectively reduce irritability and cultivate emotional resilience, leading to improved overall well-being and quality of life.