Mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions are increasing globally, driven by lifestyle disturbances, emotional dysregulation, and social stressors. Ayurveda offers a holistic preventive lens through Sadavritta (Good Conduct), a comprehensive code of ethical, behavioural, and lifestyle conduct aimed at promoting mental discipline and psychological well-being. This conceptual study explores the preventive role of Sadavritta in mental disorders by reviewing classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya) and contemporary scientific evidence. Key Sadavritta principles identified include lifestyle regulation, emotional hygiene, ethical social conduct, mindfulness, and self-discipline. These principles support mental health by enhancing Sattva (clarity and stability), regulating circadian rhythms, strengthening emotional resilience, reducing stress responses, and improving social harmony.  Modern research parallels these concepts, demonstrating that mindfulness, lifestyle regulation, social connectedness, and emotional regulation significantly reduce the incidence of mental disorders. The findings suggest that Sadavritta functions as a multidimensional preventive tool that aligns with modern preventive psychiatry and lifestyle medicine. Integrating Sadavritta into contemporary mental health strategies may provide an effective, culturally rooted, and low-cost approach to reducing the burden of mental disorders. Further clinical validation is recommended.

Introduction:

Globally, the prevalence of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders, and behavioural dysregulation is increasing. According to WHO (2022), one in eight persons worldwide suffers from a mental health illness. [1]  Risk factors for many of these diseases include unhealthy lifestyle choices, unstable emotions, lack of self-control, and stressful environments. Through disciplined living, moderation, mindfulness, emotional resilience, and environmental awareness, the Ayurvedic principle of Sadavritta, a holistic code of healthy lifestyle, ethical conduct, mental hygiene, and social harmony explained in the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, promotes Sattva, decreases Rajas and Tamas, and enhances current preventive psychiatry and lifestyle science.

Materials And Methods

Study Design

A conceptual and literary review of classical Ayurvedic texts and contemporary scientific literature.

Sources of Data

Classical Ayurvedic Literature

Charaka Samhita (Sutra Sthana 7, 8; Sharira Sthana 1)

Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana 24- Achara Rasayana)

Ashtanga Hridaya (Sutra Sthana 2 - Dinacharya & Sadavritta)

Modern Scientific Literature

Peer-reviewed journals such as Lancet Psychiatry, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, Indian Journal of Psychiatry, Frontiers in Psychology, Addictive Behaviours, and WHO/APA guidelines on mental health and prevention.

Methodology

Identification of Sadavritta principles from traditional texts.

Comparison of these principles to modern psychological theories such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, and resilience.

Research supporting the preventive role of lifestyle and behavioural adjustment in mental health.

Development of a preventive mental health framework based on Sadavritta principles.

Results

1. Sadavritta Principles Relevant to Mental Health Prevention.

A. Self-Discipline & Lifestyle Regulation

• Routine in sleep, food, physical activity.
• Avoiding sensory overload and substance misuse.

• Cleanliness, moderation, mindful behaviour. [Error! Reference source not found.]

B. Mental & Emotional Hygiene

• Control over anger, greed, jealousy, excessive excitement. [2]
• Cultivation of calmness, patience, compassion (Sattva)

C. Social Discipline

• Truthfulness, respect, non-violence, healthy communication. [3]

D. Spiritual & Cognitive Practices

• Meditation, introspection, chanting, ethical contemplation
• Enhancement of resilience and emotional stability

2. Preventive Role of Sadavritta in Mental Disorders

A. Enhancing Sattva to Prevent Mental Disorders

• Sadavritta promotes mental purity (Sattva), enhancing stress management, emotional control, and mental clarity.
• Modern Research: Ethical behaviour and mindfulness enhance prefrontal brain function and reduce emotional reactivity. [5]

B. Establishing Lifestyle Patterns

• Irregular habits increase the probability of anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties.
• Ayurveda emphasizes regulated activity, sleep, and diet.
• Modern Research Modulation of circadian rhythm prevents mood disorders. [6]

C. Enhancing Emotional Strength

• Controlling anger, fear, and overstimulation prevents mental imbalance.
• Modern Research Emotional regulation (ER) lowers the risk of anxiety and depression. [7]

D. Controlling Autonomic Hyperactivation and Stress

• Sadavritta promotes self-awareness, confidence, and harmony.
• Modern Research Breathing and mindfulness reduce cortisol and sympathetic activation. [8]

E. Preventing Social Stressors

• Sadavritta ethics reduce social stress, loneliness, and interpersonal conflict.
• Modern Evidence Strong social ties reduce the risk of mental problems. [9]

F. Building Psychological Immunity

• Comparable to “mental immunity”: resilience, ethical foundation, healthy coping strategies, reduced impulsivity.
• Ayurvedic basis Achara Rasayana stabilizes and strengthens the mind. [Error! Reference source not found.]

Discussion:

• This conceptual analysis shows that Ayurvedic Sadavritta and modern preventive mental health methods share several similarities.
• Evidence-based preventive psychiatry, behavioral science, CBT, and mindfulness-based therapies align with Sadavritta’s stress on ethical behavior, emotional control, mindfulness, self-discipline, and routine.
• Essential preventive mechanisms include:

1. Maintaining routine to regulate the nervous system
2. Reducing inflammation and stress—major contributors to mental illness
3. Enhancing self-control and mental clarity
4. Reducing psychological conflict and promoting social harmony
5. Strengthening ethical foundation, meaning, and purpose.

• Ayurveda’s holistic approach includes physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects that modern systems are now emphasizing.
• Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on preventive mental health through the principle of Sadavritta, a code of ideal lifestyle, moral behaviour, mental hygiene, and social behaviour.
• Sadavritta helps to preserve mental clarity (Sattva), lessen emotional disturbances (Rajas), and avoid laziness or ignorance (Tamas). It encourages disciplined living, moderation, ethical conduct, sensory control, mindfulness, emotional resilience, environmental awareness, and social harmony.
• These principles, described in the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, enhance modern preventive psychiatry and lifestyle science.

Conclusion:

• Sadavritta offers a complete lifestyle regimen promoting social harmony, emotional stability, mental clarity, and self-control. Both Ayurvedic classical knowledge and modern psychological research support its preventive role in mental disorders.
• Implementing Sadavritta into preventive psychiatry models, school mental health programs, and community health programs may significantly enhance mental well-being and reduce the burden of mental disorders.

Acknowledgements: Nil

Conflict of Interest: Nil

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