As most people know, taking care of your mind and body health is critical to leading a happy, healthy life. If your mental or physical health isn’t up to par, it can influence how you live on a daily basis. Ayurveda is commonly overlooked when considering ways to improve quality of life, but it shouldn’t be.
For those who don’t know, Ayurveda emphasizes the use of holistic medicines and activities to help promote healthier living. Within Ayurveda, there are three doshas. Each dosha (Vata, Kapha, and Pitta) represents an element and is said to affect aspects of a person’s psyche. When any of your doshas are imbalanced, it can influence your mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
The Pitta, represented by fire, is often linked to digestive wellness and metabolism. The Vata, represented by air, is generally linked to movement and body functions. Lastly, there is the Kapha, represented by water and earth, and relates to body structure and immune system. For a more in-depth look into doshas, you can take a look at this article here. Now that you understand the basics, let’s delve into how to use Ayurvedic practices for a better mind and body.
Take care of your digestive system
Food is essential to living, and our digestive system plays a crucial role in whether or not we’re functioning properly. With tempting sweets and processed foods being so available, more and more people are experiencing digestive issues. According to GI Alliance, an average of 62 million Americans are diagnosed with a digestive disorder every year.
To use Ayurvedic ideology to improve your digestion, you should incorporate well-balanced meals, try to eat in a calm environment, and should not eat when you’re feeling anxious or upset. These are only three of many things that can help keep the Pitta dosha balanced. Additionally, herbs like cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, and ginger are key components to helpful home remedies that aid digestion. There are some additional less commonly known Ayurvedic herbs that can help with a variety of ailments that have to do with all parts of the body as well. You can find a list of helpful Ayurvedic herbs here.
Pamper your brain
Occasionally your brain needs some TLC to help your mental health flourish. Ayurvedic practices state that exercise and stress reduction are key components to mental stability. With this in mind, you should consider introducing yoga into your daily routine if you haven’t already. Not only has it been found that yoga can reduce stress, but the pose variations can serve as a wonderful workout as well. Yoga can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, so it all depends on what you’re comfortable with.
Aside from yoga, there are other things you can do to reduce stress and improve brain and overall health. Many people find that gemstones help to enhance certain qualities they would like to improve upon. Sleep is also very important part of well-being; not getting enough sleep can affect your immunity, weight, blood pressure, and more. If you aren’t sleeping well, it is important to try and determine why. The solution may be as simple as lighting an aromatherapy incense to bring calming energy into your space to correct your sleep issue. However, if common solutions like incense or calming music don’t work, try pairing it with a more formal solution like a support group through online counseling sessions. This can help you to talk to other people about what’s going on and hopefully get you on your way to a better sleep pattern in no time.
Keep an active lifestyle
To keep your doshas balanced, especially Vata and Kapha, make sure you’re staying active and social! This means getting up, moving around, and staying active mentally and physically. Whether it’s going on a walk or meet up with a few friends, try to set aside time to do something outside of your normal routine. This will help to keep you actively engaged and prevent you from falling into a rut. Even though COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, people are still feeling the effects of quarantine and are staying inside more than usual.
As we’re in the midst of summer, take time to go outdoors and soak up some sunlight. Taking in some sun rays and getting some fresh air can help improve your mood, and give a more positive outlook on life, which is what Ayurveda is about—living life to the fullest and being healthy while doing so. To maximize your time outside, try meditating outside in a calm area. The serene environment should help you tap into your spiritual side and support overall mind-body wellness.