20. The Three States of the Mind: An Ayurvedic Framework for Anxiety, Depression, & Mental Clarity

20. The Three States of the Mind: An Ayurvedic Framework for Anxiety, Depression, & Mental Clarity

In this week’s episode, Brittni and Rita explore Ayurveda’s simple yet profound framework for understanding and balancing the mind- The Three Gunas: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. If you’ve been struggling with anxiety, distractibility, anger, procrastination, burnout, or depression, this episode provides a holistic lens for understanding these experiences, as well as practical tools to support a calmer, clearer, more resilient mind. Highlights: * A deep dive into Sattva (mental clarity), Rajas (the active, stimulated mind), and Tamas (the heavy, withdrawn mind). * Why we can start to crave more stimulation, multi-tasking, and productivity when life gets busy. * The mental patterns each constitution is prone to- and how to create a care plan when you end up in a tough space. * The connection between anxiety, burnout, overstimulation, and depression. * How time in nature, creativity, meaningful connection, and movement are necessary to cultivate a clear/calm mind. * Which foods are most supportive (and which to avoid!) when you’re feeling anxious, angry, overstimulated, unmotivated, or depressed. Dr. John Douillard's Article: The Science and Ayurveda of the Three Gunas https://lifespa.com/intro-ayurveda/ayurvedic-philosophy/science-of-the-gunas/ [https://lifespa.com/intro-ayurveda/ayurvedic-philosophy/science-of-the-gunas/] If you enjoyed this conversation, it would mean the world to us and help support our work if you’d like, share, leave a review, as well as subscribe to our podcast on whichever platform you use. If you’re looking for more connection or would like to support this podcast, we’d love to have you join our Patreon community. Here you’ll get bonus episodes and access to our community chat Q&A. And don’t forget to check out our Wellness Library, which is filled with self-guided classes, kitchen tutorials, herbal recipes, and more Ayurvedic practices all for just $5 a month! Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast] | Library [https://app.arketa.co/mountainsforbreakfast/pricing] | IG [https://www.instagram.com/ayurvedaforwomenshealth/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ayurveda-for-womens-health-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast]Connect with Rita https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/ [https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/] Connect with Brittni https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/ [https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/]

19. Re-writing Anti-Aging: What Ayurveda Says About Hormones, Longevity, Skincare & Aging Well

This week, Brittni and Rita are exploring aging through the lens of Ayurveda and sharing the foundational qualities that support physical, mental, and emotional vitality as we grow older. Rather than viewing aging as something to fear, Ayurveda invites us to embrace it with intention by nourishing the body in ways that promote resilience, strength, and longevity. Highlights: * The Ayurvedic ‘stages of life’ and how our needs change in each phase. * Why we become more prone to things like dry skin, joint pain, constipation, insomnia, and poor focus as we transition towards/into menopause. * How burnout in the Pitta years can accelerate imbalances later in life, and what to do about it * The two most important qualities to prioritize in your food and lifestyle to support healthy aging. * What does it actually mean to ‘age well’ as women- and how can we re-write this narrative altogether. If you enjoyed this conversation, it would mean the world to us and help support our work if you’d like, share, leave a review, as well as subscribe to our podcast on whichever platform you use. If you’re looking for more connection or would like to support this podcast, we’d love to have you join our Patreon community. Here you’ll get bonus episodes and access to our community chat Q&A. And don’t forget to check out our Wellness Library, which is filled with self-guided classes, kitchen tutorials, herbal recipes, and more Ayurvedic practices all for just $5 a month! Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast] | Library [https://app.arketa.co/mountainsforbreakfast/pricing] | IG [https://www.instagram.com/ayurvedaforwomenshealth/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ayurveda-for-womens-health-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast]Connect with Rita https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/ [https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/] Connect with Brittni https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/ [https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/]

18. Our Pregnancy Loss Stories: Grief, Recovery, And The Lessons We've Learned

Trigger Warning: this episode contains honest and detailed discussion of pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and surgical procedures. Please take care of yourself when deciding if and when to listen. Today on the podcast, Rita and Brittni get deeply personal and share their own experiences with pregnancy loss. Between them, they've navigated four losses — each one different in its timing, its physical experience, its emotional impact, and what they needed to heal. In this episode, they talk openly about what those journeys have looked like, what surprised them, what the medical system failed to offer, and how Ayurveda became an essential part of finding their way back to themselves. This is a conversation about grief, anger, body intelligence, and the deep need for more compassion and systemic support for women going through pregnancy loss. Highlights: * Rita and Brittni share their personal pregnancy loss stories, including an ectopic pregnancy, a surgical loss, and the emotional complexity of experiencing multiple losses close together * Why every pregnancy loss experience is different — and why the word "miscarriage" doesn't begin to capture the full picture * What they found helpful and unhelpful from the people around them, and how to support someone going through loss without causing more pain * The physical reality of pregnancy loss as a postpartum experience — and why women are so often left without adequate support * The Ayurvedic tools that helped them heal, including abhyanga, herbal infusions, easy-to-digest foods, and creating ritual and ceremony around loss * An honest conversation about the medical and political systems that leave women without access to essential care * The grief, the anger, and the meaning making — and why feeling it all is part of the path through Whether you're navigating your own journey with pregnancy loss or looking for ways to better support someone you love, we hope this conversation helps you feel seen, less alone, and a little more held. If you’re looking for more connection or would like to support this podcast, we’d love to have you join our Patreon community. Here you’ll get bonus episodes and access to our community chat Q&A. And don’t forget to check out our Wellness Library, which is filled with self-guided classes, kitchen tutorials, herbal recipes, and more Ayurvedic practices all for just $5 a month! Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast] | Library [https://app.arketa.co/mountainsforbreakfast/pricing] | IG [https://www.instagram.com/ayurvedaforwomenshealth/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ayurveda-for-womens-health-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast]Connect with Rita https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/ [https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/] Connect with Brittni https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/ [https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/]

17. Is Coffee Right For Your Constitution? (And What To Do If It's Not)

In this week’s episode, Brittni and Rita dive deep into coffee! In Ayurveda, we don’t view foods or plants as being ‘good’ or ‘bad’- it always depends on the individual. In this episode we’ll help you gain awareness of how coffee may be impacting your mind and body, as well as simple shifts to how you're drinking coffee that can support balance.  Highlights:  * The qualities and elements of coffee and how different constitutions may respond to it differently.  * When coffee becomes a red flag: the symptoms and diagnoses that are easily aggravated by caffeine like skin rashes, digestive issues, Crohn’s disease, insomnia, anxiety, and certain hormonal imbalances.  * Middle ground options for coffee lovers, including simple things to add to your mug to make coffee gentler on the body.  * Practical tips and alternatives for those interested in reducing or eliminating their coffee intake

16. 5 Things You Didn't Know About Us: Reiki, Vastu, Bike racing, Telepathy and More

Today on the podcast, Brittni and Rita step away from their usual format to share fun facts about themselves that most people, and even each other, don't know. From past lives and career paths to current beliefs and interests, these personal shares are a reminder of the many versions of a person and how all of them contribute to who we become. Highlights: * How Brittni's background in interior design is coming full circle through Vastu, the Ayurvedic study of architecture and space * How Rita currently balances two careers — Ayurvedic clinician and medical speech-language pathologist, and how certain symptoms are looked at through both lenses.  * What it was really like for Brittni to live out of her truck through a New England winter, and what that season of life taught her * Rita's journey in finding the balance between science and spirit- from skeptic to energy practitioner, and how adopting her dog helped her deepen into this world.  We'd love to hear from you too — drop a fun fact about yourself in the comments on our Patreon page!  If you enjoyed this conversation, it would mean the world to us and help support our work if you’d like, share, leave a review, as well as subscribe to our podcast on whichever platform you use. If you’re looking for more connection or would like to support this podcast, we’d love to have you join our Patreon community. Here you’ll get bonus episodes and access to our community chat Q&A. And don’t forget to check out our Wellness Library, which is filled with self-guided classes, kitchen tutorials, herbal recipes, and more Ayurvedic practices all for just $5 a month! Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast] | Library [https://app.arketa.co/mountainsforbreakfast/pricing] | IG [https://www.instagram.com/ayurvedaforwomenshealth/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ayurveda-for-womens-health-podcast/?viewAsMember=true] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AyurvedaForWomensHealthPodcast]Connect with Rita https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/ [https://www.rhythmiclivingayurveda.com/] Connect with Brittni https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/ [https://mountainsforbreakfast.com/]