Ayurveda proposes three stages in the quest for good
health: daily routine and seasonal activities to prevent
illness, purification therapy and medications for
diseases and rejuvenation of the system to enhance
health and quality of life.
Ayurvedic preventive medicine is called Svasthavrtta
'establishing oneself in good habits' , and its main
principle is that one must reject excess in everything.
Harmony and health are possible only when everything
in life is enjoyed at the proper moment in the proper
amount.
Daily and seasonal routines try to ensure that
the body's needs are satisfied no matter where the
mind may roam , since most people are unable to
develop the perception necessary to know what is
happening within their bodies. Neither activity
nor rest should be excessive , the body requires
moderation in all things. A healthy routine establishes
moderation and order in both body and mind , helping
you to flow in the direction most appropriate for
you.
Guidelines for maintaining Good
Health
Daily
Routine |
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Awaken before sunrise |
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Evacuate bowels and bladder after awakening |
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Bathe every day to create a sense of bodily
freshness |
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Exercise (preferably Yoga) and meditate |
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Brush teeth after meals |
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Wash hands before and after eating |
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Fast one day a week to help reduce toxins
from the body |
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Sleep before 10 PM |
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| Diet and digestion
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Food should be fresh, warm,
tasty and easy to digest. |
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Eating should not be too rushed or too
slow. Chew your food nicely. |
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Do not eat while watching TV or while
reading . |
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Eat in peaceful and pleasant surroundings. |
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Do not drink water one hour before or
after meals . You can have it in small quantities
with meals. |
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There should be at least four hours difference
between two meals |
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Do not take too many items in one meal.
The items taken should also not be contradicting
one another.
For example yogurt and milk or ice cream
and hot coffee. |
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Fruits should not be mixed with meals.
Either take a separate meal of fruits or
eat between two meals. |
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If you feel tired or heaviness in the
stomach after eating , this is improper
eating. Eat according to your digestive
power. |
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One teaspoon of grated fresh ginger with
a pinch of salt is a good appetizer |
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A glass of warm milk with ginger at bedtime
is nourishing and calms the mind |
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Exess intake of cold drinks reduces resistance
and creates excess mucus |
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Taking a nap after lunch will increase
kapha and body weight |
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| Physical Hygiene
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Oil massage promotes circulation
and relieves excess vata. |
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If possible gaze at the rays of the sun
at dawn for five minutes daily to improve
eyesight. |
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Gazing at a steady flame , morning and
evening for ten minutes , improves eyesight. |
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Do not repress the natural urges of the
body , i.e. defecation, urination, coughing,
sneezing, yawning, belching and passing
gas |
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Bad breath may indicate constipation ,
poor digestion, unhygienic mouth and toxins
in the colon. |
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Body odor indicates toxins in the system. |
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Rubbing the soles of the feet with sesame
oil before bedtime produces a calm, deep
sleep. |
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Reading in bed will injure the eyesight. |
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Application of oil to the head calms the
mind and induces sound sleep. |
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Dry hair immediately after washing to
prevent sinus problems. |
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Cracking the joints is injurious to the
body. |
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Avoid physical exertion , such as yoga
or running during menstruation. |
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| Mental Hygiene |
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Fear and nervousness dissipate
energy and aggravate Vata. |
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Possessiveness , greed and attachment
increase Kapha. |
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Worry weakens the heart. |
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Hate and anger create toxins in the body
and aggrevate Pitta. |
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Exessice Talking dissipates energy and
aggravates Vata . |
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Even after strictly following
the above mentioned precautions it is natural that
some toxins accumulate in the body as a result of
various metabolic activities. It is necessary to eliminate
these toxins from the body, which the body is doing
to a great extent. But some toxins still remain in
the body and are causing many diseases when their
quantity increases beyond a certain limit. To maintain
proper functioning of different body systems and to
stay healthy a regular elimination of these toxins
is required. Ayurveda gives an elimination therapy
called Pancha Karma.
Another important
factor for maintaining good health and staying active
even in the old age is called rejuvenation therapy.
So a healthy person should take rejuvenating preparations
to maintain good health and stay young. There are
many such Ayurvedic preparations available which can
be taken according to season and your personal constitution.
Good social conduct,
morality, good manners and good character are some
other factors which are necessary to stay away from
diseases. Thus Ayurveda approaches the complete individual
while giving instructions about maintaining the health.
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