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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. |
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Guidelines for
maintaining Good Health
- Daily Routine
+ Awaken before sunrise
+ Evacuate bowels and bladder after awakening
+ Bathe every day to create a sense of bodily freshness
+ Exercise (preferably Yoga) and meditate
+ Wash hands before and after eating
+ Brush teeth after meals
+ Fast one day a week to help reduce toxins from the body
+ Sleep before 10 PM
- Diet and digestion
+ Food should be fresh, warm, tasty and
easy to digest.
+ Eating should not be too rushed or too slow. Chew your food nicely.
+ Do not eat while watching TV or while reading .
+ Eat in peaceful and pleasant surroundings.
+ Do not drink water one hour before or after meals . You can have it in small quantities
with meals.
+ There should be at least four hours difference between two meals .
+ 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.
+ Fruits should not be mixed with meals. Either take a separate meal of fruits or eat
between two meals.
+ If you feel tired or heaviness in the stomach after eating , this is improper eating.
Eat according to your digestive power.
+ One teaspoon of grated fresh ginger with a pinch of salt is a good appetizer
+ A glass of warm milk with ginger at bedtime is nourishing and calms the mind
+ Exess intake of cold drinks reduces resistance and creates excess mucus
+ Taking a nap after lunch will increase kapha and body weight
- Physical Hygiene
+ Oil massage promotes circulation and
relieves excess vata.
+ If possible gaze at the rays of the sun at dawn for five minutes daily to improve
eyesight.
+ Gazing at a steady flame , morning and evening for ten minutes , improves eyesight.
+ Do not repress the natural urges of the body , i.e. defecation, urination, coughing,
sneezing, yawning,
belching and passing gas
+ Bad breath may indicate constipation , poor digestion, unhygienic mouth and toxins in
the colon.
+ Body odor indicates toxins in the system.
+ Rubbing the soles of the feet with sesame oil before bedtime produces a calm, deep
sleep.
+ Reading in bed will injure the eyesight.
+ Application of oil to the head calms the mind and induces sound sleep.
+ Dry hair immediately after washing to prevent sinus problems.
+ Cracking the joints is injurious to the body.
+ Avoid physical exertion , such as yoga or running during menstruation.
- Mental Hygiene
+ Fear and nervousness dissipate energy and aggravate Vata.
+ Possessiveness , greed and attachment
increase Kapha.
+ Worry weakens the heart.
+ Hate and anger create toxins in the body and
aggrevate Pitta.
+ 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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