You’ve cleaned up your diet. You’ve cut out coffee, tomatoes, dairy – basically, anything that used to make food enjoyable.
You’re doing what the doctor said. You take your meds. You’ve given up the “fun” stuff.
And still… the heartburn creeps in. The bloating. That tight, uncomfortable feeling in your chest. The anxiety around every meal.
If you are nodding along right now then you are not alone!
And most importantly? You are not broken.
Let us explore why GERD is not going away even though you are doing everything right.
The answer might be something no one has talked to you about yet.
You have done all the things… So why aren’t you better?
Most of the people I talk to have tried everything – at least by modern standards.
They’ve:
- Switched to safe or bland foods
- Taken PPIs or antacids for months (or even years)
- Given up spicy, acidic, or oily meals
- Tried yoga, journaling, deep breathing – all the usual stress-relief stuff
But still, symptoms return. Or new ones show up: fatigue, anxiety, sleep issues, weight ups and downs.
And worst of all? That feeling of “What else am I supposed to do?”
What if the problem is not just “too much acid”?
This is where Ayurveda brings a completely different (and really refreshing) perspective.
Instead of asking “How do we get rid of the acid?”
Ayurveda asks:
Why is your digestive fire (Agni) struggling in the first place?
In other words: what is throwing your whole system out of balance?
Some common root causes I see through this lens:
- Eating while distracted or stressed (like in the car, at your desk, scrolling your phone, or walking on road)
- “Healthy” foods that don’t match your current state (like raw salads, smoothies, or too many nuts)
- Constant rushing, pushing, performing – which builds up inner heat (Pitta imbalance)
- No routine – meals at random times, sleep all over the place
So maybe it’s not just what you eat. It’s how, when, and in what state your body receives it.
What if your body is not failing you, but actually talking to you?
I know it can feel like your body is working against you.
But what if GERD is actually your body’s way of asking for help?
The burning? The bloating? The tightness?
Those might be messages, not problems.
Instead of piling on more fear, maybe the message is:
“Slow down. Breathe. Come back into rhythm.”
Ayurveda is not about perfection or restriction.
It’s about rebuilding trust with your body gently, patiently, and with curiosity.
One tiny but powerful shift to try today
Here is something simple, but honestly kind of magical:
Eat your meals without distractions!
I mean really, just eat!
- No scrolling
- No working through lunch
- No TV in the background
Just sit, breathe and chew slowly.
This tiny change often makes a huge difference for my clients.
Not overnight, but over time, digestion starts to feel calmer. More responsive. Less reactive.
Want to go deeper with this?
If this article made sense to you then I am glad you are here. This is just the beginning.
Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing more about how Ayurveda sees GERD. Ayurveda doesn’t see it as a random flare-up, but as a sign your body is asking for rhythm, calm, and deeper support.
If you would like to be the first to know when the next piece goes live, join my email list here:
And if you are someone who has been struggling silently, doing everything “right” but still not feeling better then I would love to hear your story.
