How to balance your Chakras for Optimum Mental Health

Since coming out of lockdown, I’ve encountered many people who are suffering from anxiety and depression. Even though covid and lockdown may seem like a distant memory, many people are still feeling the effects and suffering from social anxiety or a general “low” feeling.

Five years ago, I experienced terrible anxiety and was determined not to go through it again. Over the years, I have found various methods that have helped me keep my worries at bay. Recently, I have been paying particular attention to my Chakras and learning how to unblock and balance them; since balancing my Chakras I have seen a noticeable difference in how I feel and act.  

What is a Chakra?

Chakra in Sanskrit (a classical language of South Asia) means “wheel.” People refer to Chakras as spinning disks of energy that should always stay open and aligned. We are all composed of energy; everything we touch and see is energy, constantly flowing and changing, especially through our bodies. 

The concept of energy flowing through our bodies isn’t a new one. It dates back to 5,000 BC in India and 3,000 BC in China. You may have encountered the terms “Prana” and “Chi” whilst practising yoga, these names are used to describe the life force energy flowing through the body. 

Some people believe that when our energy flow is blocked, it can affect our health, and we can experience symptoms such as anxiety and stress. However, if we can keep our Chakras balanced and open, energy can run freely and reduce these feelings. 

There are seven main Chakras. Each one has a corresponding color, location, and meaning. First, let’s look at the individual Chakras and how to know if they are unbalanced. Then we can explore how to re-align them.

The 7 Chakras 

1. The Root Chakra

The Root Chakra is located at the base of your spine. It is the foundation of all the other energy centres, so keeping it balanced and unlocked is essential. The root Chakra represents our foundation and grounding. 

Represented by: A fiery red colour. 

If blocked: If your Root Chakra is blocked, you could be feeling a sense of vulnerability, loneliness, overthinking and an inability to take action. 

It is possible to re-balance your Chakras with food. For the root Chakra, consider the colour red and incorporate red apples, beetroot, tomatoes, raspberries, strawberries and pomegranates into your diet. You can also use grounding meditations to balance your Root Chakra. Here is a link to one of the meditations I use to ground myself. 

2. The Sacral Chakra 

The Sacral Chakra is located just below your belly button and above your pubic bone. It’s in the centre of your lower abdomen, the reproduction zone. The Sacral Chakra represents your personal power, your imagination and sexuality. 

Represented by: The colour orange.

If your Sacral Chakra is blocked, you may feel closed off to your emotions and those around you. 

You can rebalance this Chakra by eating orange foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes, oranges, butternut squash and pumpkins. Also, try adding turmeric to your food. 

3. The Solar Plexus Chakra 

The Solar Plexus is located in your tummy just above your belly button. It represents your confidence and your personal/professional success. 

Represented by: The colour yellow 

If your Solar Plexus Chakra is blocked, it can affect your self-esteem and confidence. It can make you feel insecure and anxious, it can also cause digestive issues. 

You can rebalance this Chakra by thinking of the colour yellow. Eating more bananas, pineapple, corn and drinking lemon-infused water each morning. Meditating or doing yoga outdoors can also help to rebalance this Chakra. 

4. The Heart Chakra 

Your heart Chakra is located right at the centre of your chest, just above your heart. This Chakra is all about love, connection, empathy and self-acceptance. 

Represented by: The colour green 

If your Heart Chakra is blocked, you may be experiencing some jealousy, difficulty accepting yourself or struggles in your relationships. 

You can help to align this Chakra by forgiving those who have hurt you. Blockages can happen when you are holding onto past hurt and anger. You can also eat green foods such as broccoli, spinach, avocado, kiwi and green apples. 

5. The Throat Chakra 

Your throat Chakra is located at the centre of your neck. It is the Chakra associated with clear communication. If blocked, you may be experiencing physical voice and throat problems or issues with your thyroid. 

You could also be experiencing pain in the areas surrounding your throat (mouth, teeth, gums). Emotional problems associated with the throat could also be present, such as inability to express yourself adequately, fear of speaking or social anxiety. 

Represented by: The colour blue 

It’s possible to rebalance this Chakra by writing in a journal about how you feel so that it is out of your thoughts. It also helps to verbalise how you are feeling. Singing is a great way to unblock the Throat Chakra and allow your energy to flow freely. You can also eat blueish foods like blueberries, blackberries and plums. 

6. The Third Eye Chakra 

Your Third Eye Chakra is situated just above your brow in between your eyes. It is the source of all of your intuition and wisdom. It is linked to your spiritual connection, imagination and clarity. If it is blocked, you may experience feelings of indecisiveness and insecurity also, overthinking and worry. You may also have brain fog. 

Represented by: The colour Indigo

You can balance this Chakra by using positive affirmations and paying attention to your dreams. Write down your dreams and listen to the messages you get through them. Meditation can also really help you to open up your Third Eye Chakra. 

You can also incorporate purple/indigo foods like purple carrots, beetroot, aubergine and purple grapes. 

7. The Crown Chakra 

The 7th Chakra is the Crown Chakra. It is located at the very top of your head. The Crown Chakra is connected to all of the other Chakras and affects all your organs, nervous system and brain. If your Crown Chakra is blocked, you may feel depressed, closed-minded, negative, disconnected and feel a need to control your surroundings. 

Represented by: The colour white or violet.   

When your Crown Chakra is balanced, you will feel a sense of enlightenment and spiritual consciousness. You’ll be able to see the bigger picture of life and have trust in yourself and your soul purpose. 

Detoxing can help flush out any tokens from your body and clear your mind and energy. Yoga and meditation can help balance and strengthen your Crown Chakra. 

I have started implementing a daily 10-minute Chakra balancing meditation into my morning routine, which I’d like to share with you: https://bit.ly/3e2rfds 

Since focussing on balancing my Chakras first thing in the morning, I have seen a noticeable difference in how I feel for the rest of the day. 

I also believe it would be highly beneficial for leadership teams within organisations to encourage employees to explore Chakra balancing. If every employee focused on balancing their Chakras, leaders could see a reduction in employee stress. Creativity and innovation can be taken to whole new levels when you eliminate stress and anxiety.

Author - Charlotte Simmons