- Written by Dr. Vasudha M Sharma, Senior Consultant at UWAY Health
A few days ago, I came across a true story that stayed with me long after I finished reading it. Not because it was dramatic—though it was—but because it explained something profound about the human mind under extreme stress.
Interestingly, we’ve begun seeing similar patterns in many of our patients today, especially in high-pressure cities like Bangalore.
This story comes from a real aviation incident that unfolded on June 24, 1982, and it perfectly illustrates how our reaction to stress matters more than the stress itself.
The Day All Four Engines Failed Mid-Air
British Airways Flight 9 was cruising peacefully over the Indian Ocean. Everything was normal—until it wasn’t.
The pilots suddenly noticed blue light dancing on the cockpit windows and sparks on the wings. Within minutes, all four engines of the Boeing 747 shut down.
A massive aircraft carrying 263 people became a silent object falling toward the ocean.
Inside the cabin:
- Oxygen masks dropped
- Smoke entered the aisles
- Passengers believed these were their final moments
And then came a voice that no one expected.
The captain calmly announced:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress.”
He called the failure of all four engines a small problem.
His composure prevented mass panic.
The crew kept trying—again and again—to restart the engines.
Finally, one engine restarted. Then another.
Eventually, all four came back to life.
The flight landed safely. Not a single life was lost.
Why This Story Matters for Our Health
What happened inside that cockpit reveals a deep truth:
It’s not the problem that breaks us.
It’s how we react to the problem.
Some panic.
Some get angry.
Some shut down.
But a few remain calm enough to think clearly and act wisely. Ayurveda explains this difference through a concept known as the mental doshas.
Ayurveda’s View: How Your Mind Responds to Stress
Ayurveda teaches that our psychological tendencies fall under three mental doshas:
1. Vata Minds – The Overthinkers
Under stress, Vata-dominant individuals tend to
- panic
- imagine worst-case scenarios
- feel mentally scattered
2. Pitta Minds – The Reactors
When stressed, Pittas often
- get irritated
- become controlling
- respond with intensity
3. Kapha Minds – The Stabilizers
Kaphas typically
- stay composed
- think practically
- remain grounded
The captain’s calm, steady response was a classic Kapha-type reaction.
But here’s the encouraging part—Calmness isn’t an inborn talent. It’s a trainable skill.
How to Build a Calm, Resilient Mind (Based on Your Dosha).
Before you begin, understand your predominant mental dosha.
Once you know your type, apply the practices below.
For Vata Minds
To reduce anxiety, overthinking, and panic:
- Slow, deep breathing
- Warm, nourishing meals
- Early bedtime
- Reduced screen time at night
These habits stabilize the mind and reduce mental restlessness.
For Pitta Minds
To prevent irritability and emotional overheating:
- Cooling drinks (coconut water, mint, rose)
- Practice pausing before reacting
- Relaxed evening routines
- Gentle stretching or meditation
These help cool the body and soften reactive tendencies.
For Kapha Minds
To overcome sluggishness and build mental agility:
- Morning movement (walk, yoga, light cardio)
- Light, warm, spiced foods
- Avoid daytime naps
- Stimulating activities to stay alert
These help activate energy and clarity.
Why This Matters at UWAY
At UWAY, we often meet individuals who come to us not just with physical symptoms, but with mental exhaustion.
They’ve tried multiple solutions, visited different specialists, and still feel stuck.
In such cases, the first step isn’t always medicine.
It’s helping the mind restart its engines—just like that flight.
Only when the mind stabilizes does true healing begin.
The Real Lesson From Flight 9
Most situations don’t defeat us.
Our untrained reaction to stress does.
When life’s engines stop…
when everything seems to fail…
Can we stay calm enough to try again until something restarts?
Ayurveda says yes.
Some minds are naturally calmer due to their dosha, but anyone can build that stability with the right practices.
If You Want to Understand Your Stress Response Better…
Ayurveda offers clear tools to identify your mental dosha and understand how your mind behaves under stress.
For guidance, assessment, or holistic care, you can always consult an expert at our Ayurvedic clinic in Bangalore.
About Author
Dr. Vasudha M Sharma
Dr. Vasudha M Sharma is an experienced ayurvedic doctor with 24 years of clinical experience, known for bridging Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy, and Acupuncture to treat complex, chronic conditions.
She completed her B.A.M.S. from Government Ayurvedic Medical College, Bangalore(1999), and M.Sc. in Yoga Therapy from SVYASA University (2005). Her passion for evidence-based Ayurveda led her to earn a PhD in Yoga from SVYASA University, where her doctoral research focused on integrating Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy in the management of Migraine headaches. She also presented her research work in the American Headache Society’s Headache Congress in 2019
