In most modern definitions, stress is an emotional experience described as tension, overwhelm, or irritability. But Ayurveda describes stress in a way that is far more physiologic: any action (physical, mental or verbal) that is performed beyond the individuals natural threshold.

From a biological perspective, anxiety comes from our survival system doing its best to protect us. Our brain doesn’t always know the difference between a real threat (like a car swerving toward us) and a perceived one (like worrying about a conversation or replaying past mistakes).

In Ayurveda, this state of depletion has been recognized for millennia. Ancient texts describe it as the progressive loss of Ojas—our vital essence—caused by pushing beyond the body’s natural thresholds, ignoring rest cycles, and living out of alignment with our inner and outer rhythms.

The Self-Love Era: Why It’s Not Enough. We’re living in a time where self-love is seen as the highest goal. We’re told to prioritize ourselves, guard our peace, and focus on personal healing. These ideas can be empowering—especially for those who’ve lived in survival mode, burnout, or codependency. But something’s not landing.