The Chakras and Mental Health
As you might know, Ayurveda recognizes 114 chakras—or energy centers—within the body. Of these 114, there are seven primary chakras, located throughout the head and spinal column.
One good way to conceptualize these is that they’re places where the mind-body connection manifests as our physical sensations and feelings intertwine. For example, we experience sexual feelings in our sacral center, and we feel love from our heart, and we sense a connection to the universe from the crown of our head.
When it comes to negative emotions, anxiety typically stems from the root chakra, which resides at the base of our spine. This is due to the fact that this area represents our stability and grounding in the world. If we aren’t properly grounded, fear and anxiety can easily overtake us. The root chakra can be balanced by enjoying the color red, sitting on the floor, walking barefoot on the earth, and immersing yourself in water.
On the opposite polarity, our crown chakra, which lies at the top of our heads, can be responsible for feelings of depression. This energy center regulates our connection to our highest self and even the divine. When it is functioning properly, we feel connected, intuitive, and guided in all that we do. Inspiration and creativity also stem from this center. However, when this area is not working, we can feel cut-off from the light of the world, uninspired, directionless, and depressed. Some great ways to reactivate the crown chakra include practicing meditation, selfless service, and self-love through healthy self-care routines.