| Back to the Basics | | | | Drink lots of water through the day. |
| Four recommendations from the time-tested healing | | | | Ayurvedic digestion toners such as Amalaki (Indian |
| science of ayurvedato stay well in 2004 | | | | Gooseberry) and |
| Taking control of your own well-being can be | | | | Triphala can help kick-start a sluggish or irregular |
| daunting at first. Ittakes time, commitment and | | | | digestive system. |
| energy to stay well, especially when thedefinition of | | | | Get enough quality sleep |
| `well' is not just `the state of being disease-free'but | | | | Sleep is when your physiology recharges for the next |
| `the state of being totally healthy in mind and body.' | | | | day. Bothquantity and quality of sleep are important. |
| Too often,we reserve the bulk of our time, | | | | Rather than go by a one-size-fits-all `eight hours a |
| commitment and energy for makingmoney, or having | | | | night' rule, tune in to your physiologyfor a few days |
| fun, or even just surviving, and the result is | | | | to figure out what you, as a unique individual, needto |
| thatwell-being is relegated to going for the annual | | | | wake up rested, refreshed and ready to dive into |
| physical or popping adaily multivitamin. Ayurveda, the | | | | what the new dayoffers. Ayurvedic healers |
| ancient healing tradition from | | | | recommend retiring early and rising earlyto stay in |
| India, encourages you to make time everyday for | | | | tune with what Nature intended for human beings |
| your well-being, andreap the rewards of total health | | | | asactivity and rest timesùsleep obtained in the |
| for life. Many ayurvedicrecommendations appear | | | | later part of the nightor during the day is often less |
| basic, simple, just `common sense,' but afterreading | | | | productive in terms of replenishingthe mind and body. |
| this article, sit back and analyze how frequently these | | | | Woo restful sleep with these tips: |
| basicwellness needs are bypassed on a daily basis in | | | | Banish the TV, the computer and work-related |
| the crush of day-to-day living, and you'll realize that | | | | material from thebedroom. When you enter your |
| it's truly time to go back to thebasics to stay well. | | | | bedroom, your mind should be gettingready to wind |
| Eat fresh whole foods, and cook your own meals | | | | down, not get stimulated. |
| Ayurvedic healers down the centuries would have | | | | An hour before you go to bed, diffuse a soothing |
| nodded in approval ifthey had heard Hippocrates' | | | | aroma in yourbedroom. Lavender has been shown to |
| advice to "let food be thy medicine." | | | | be helpful in lulling the mindand body into sleep. |
| According to the ayurvedic texts, if your diet and | | | | Make sure your bedroom is neither too warm nor |
| eating habits areunwholesome, all the medicines in the | | | | too cool. |
| world won't be able to keep youwell; and if your diet | | | | Keep your bedroom quiet and dark. Choose cool |
| and eating habits are wholesome, it's quitelikely you'll | | | | soothing colors forbedroom dÚcor. |
| never need any medicine to keep you well. These | | | | Wear loose comfortable clothing. |
| textswere written in another age, but there are | | | | Stay active during the day and avoid daytime naps. |
| choices that we can makeeven in today's fast-paced | | | | Eat light at night, and make sure you're done with |
| world to eat well. Choosing fresh overcanned, whole | | | | your last meal ofthe day at least two hours before |
| over processed or refined, and organic or natural | | | | you retire. Warm milk makes asoothing bedtime |
| overfoods containing additives or chemical | | | | beverage. |
| preservatives whenever you canare good ways to | | | | When you get into bed, lie on your back with your |
| get back to the basics of eating well. | | | | legs stretched outand your arms straight and loose, |
| Here are some suggestions to make it easier to eat | | | | and practice deep breathing for afew minutes. |
| well: | | | | Jatamansi and poppy seeds are traditional ayurvedic |
| Time-saving kitchenware such as a pressure cooker | | | | sleep aids thatare gentle and non-habit-forming. |
| to cook lentils ora slow-cooker to cook wholesome | | | | Manage stress |
| one-dish meals from scratch can makethe process of | | | | Stress cannot be banished from our lives completely, |
| cooking your own meals easier. | | | | and some stressis actually good for us. But too much |
| Involve the whole family in the task of preparing | | | | stress, or stress that staysaround for extended |
| fresh meals: wheneveryone contributes to the meal, | | | | periods of time, eventually depletes thephysiology. |
| your time and effort are reduced,and mealtimes | | | | Stress in excess creates free radicals in the body, |
| become the more companionable because of the | | | | andleads to disease as well as early aging. And it's not |
| jointeffort. | | | | just the bigtraumas that create harmful levels of |
| Browse magazines for healthy recipes utilizing fresh | | | | stress in the physiology,little things that happen |
| wholeingredients that can be made in 30 minutes or | | | | everyday, like that spat with a co-worker,worrying |
| less. | | | | about your credit card bill or piled-up chores that |
| Keep a diary of the number of times you routinely | | | | make youfeel overloaded, can create chronic stress. |
| eat out or eatbought meals, and then slowly start | | | | Managing stress is,therefore, crucial to stay well. |
| whittling down that number untilyou're mainly eating | | | | Try these ayurvedic suggestions for managing stress: |
| meals you've made with fresh ingredients thatare | | | | A daily self-massage is replenishing and relaxing. |
| best for you. | | | | Choose a massageoil that is suited to your |
| Practice mindful eating | | | | constitution. Although sesame oil is thetraditional |
| Your digestive system converts the food you eat | | | | recommendation, almond, coconut, olive or jojoba |
| into the nutritiveessence your body uses to build | | | | arealternatives to consider. For best results, perform |
| healthy blood, cells and tissues. Awholesome, | | | | the massage inthe morning, before your shower or |
| balanced diet suited to your unique nutritional needs | | | | bath. |
| isthe first step towards good health. But equally | | | | Meditate for about thirty minutes everyday. The |
| important is adigestive system that works smoothly | | | | ayurvedic herb Brahmihelps enhance the results from |
| and efficiently. Only when thenutrients you feed your | | | | meditation by supporting mind-body-spirit coordination. |
| physiology are fully digested, absorbed andutilized is | | | | Set some time aside in each day for a relaxing |
| the process of nutrition complete. | | | | activity, whether it'slistening to uplifting music or |
| Here are some ayurvedic tips to help your digestive | | | | taking a stroll along the seashore. |
| system turn in astellar performance after every meal: | | | | Even fifteen minutes can help recharge a tired mind |
| Eat your most substantial meal around mid-day. | | | | and body. |
| That's when yourdigestive `fire' peaks. Eat smaller | | | | Cultivate the pleasant company of nurturing people |
| meals at breakfast and dinner. | | | | to recharge yourmind and emotions. |
| Sit down to eat every meal, and try to maintain your | | | | Diffuse relaxing aromas in your work area or |
| attention onyour food while you eat. | | | | homeùrose, jasmine,lavender, sweet orange or |
| Do not eat when you are angry, stressed or upset. | | | | ylang ylang balance the mind, senses andemotions. |
| Offer thanks before you begin a meal. | | | | Exercise everyday, in moderation. The best time to |
| Do not drink too much water with a meal, and avoid | | | | exercise accordingto ayurveda is in the early morning. |
| iced beveragesbecause they douse the digestive fire. | | | | Note: This material is educational, and is not intended |
| Do not combine milk with saltyor sour tastes. | | | | to diagnose,treat, cure or prevent any disease. If |
| Add digestion-enhancing herbs and spices to dishes. | | | | you have a medical concern,please consult your |
| Try not to work or watch TV while you eat. | | | | physician. |
| Exercise in moderation every morning. | | | | Copyright AyurBalance, Inc. |