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