Incorporating Ayurveda Into Modern Lives

Ayurvedic medicine is a way of life. It is an “art of living”. This practice of Ayurveda began 5,000 years ago in India and is still prevalent around the world — shaping and enhancing the lives of many people. 

The earliest recorded texts called Vedas, describe the transfer of this knowledge from Gods to sages, then from sages to the doctors. In Sanskrit, “Ayurveda” means “the science of life”. In Western medicine, Ayurveda is considered CAM — complementary and alternative medicine.  Incorporating Ayurveda into modern lives improves the quality of life, recent studies show that around 38% of adults in the U.S. use CAM treatments like acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, massage, and Ayurveda. 

Western medicines focus on the treatment and management of disease while Ayurveda concentrates on the prevention of disease.
 

How Does Modern Life Affect Health?

Lifestyle is an essential factor when it comes to our health. An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to disability, illnesses, and even death. Recent medical reports show a rise in issues like joint and skeletal problems, metabolic diseases, obesity, and hypertension. 

A lifestyle according to Ayurveda can provide you with health benefits. For many of us, modern lifestyle and stress affect our physical, social, and psychological health. Therefore, it is essential to maintain and balance your health. 

Some of the various modern lifestyle habits that affect our health: 

• In the fast-paced modern lifestyle, food has also become fast. People do not find time to cook or eat meals together. They eat fast foods and frozen foods that are loaded with preservatives, which in turn give rise to unwanted afflictions and diseases. 
• According to a study conducted by WHO, around 60% - 85% of the world’s population do not engage in any kind of physical activity. Technology and the inactive modes of transport have made people lazy and increased the rate of a sedentary lifestyle. 
• Modern lifestyle aspects such as computer screens, mobile phones, and longer commutes have blurred the line between personal time and work contributing to sleep deprivation. A minimum of seven hours of sleep is required to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
   

Ayurveda Improves the Quality of Your Daily Life

According to Ayurveda, the human body comprises Tridoshas or three primary functioning energies: Vata dosha, Kapha dosha, and Pitta dosha. 

Even though the same Tridoshas are present in every human being, the optimum level of these doshas differs according to the body’s constitution. The ayurvedic lifestyle helps reduce, restore, and maintain the optimum levels with natural remedies and treatments. 

Ayurvedic treatments and remedies are built using ancient knowledge and complex compositions that can be easily incorporated into your life. These treatments and remedies have been in use since ancient times in various forms like Ayurvedic oils, Ayurvedic herbs, powders, pills, eye drops, balms, etc. These remedies are easily accessible, hassle-free, and can be easily adapted to your stressful modern lifestyle.
 

Exploring Ayurvedic Knowledge on Food and Health

Ayurvedic diet can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The portion or size of the diet for each individual should be customized according to their doshas (body constitution) and agnibal (digestive power). 

Since there are innumerable varieties of foods available, they are categorized based on their actions on the individual and are determined by their qualities such as virya (potency), ras (taste), prabhav (pharmacological effect), and vipak (digestive effect). Hence, as per Ayurveda, food is classified based on its effects and properties on digestion. 

             Ayurveda and Emotional Wellbeing

A person’s psychological characteristics are determined based on the three bodily humors. Any change in their levels affects the individual’s mental health and well-being. Ayurvedic herbs such as nootropic herbs ( medhya rasayana herbs) are being studied for their properties that support cognitive functions.
 

             Ayurveda and Immunity

Due to the global pandemic, we are well aware of the importance of having good and strong immunity. Along with high stress, alcohol consumption, an imbalanced diet, irregular sleep, and poor water intake degrades your immunity level. 

To maintain and build strong immunity levels, one must maintain a healthy lifestyle which consists of a balanced diet, engaging in hobbies, regular exercise, and activities that provide relief from stress. 

Along with the daily activities, Ayurveda offers various kinds of ayurvedic ingredients and home remedies that can be incorporated into our daily lives for strong and better immunity. Herbal devotions or Kadha are made from herbs like Tulsi or Basil, black pepper, Dalchini or cinnamon, and Shunti or dry ginger. These ayurvedic herbs can be consumed in the form of tablets, powders (churna), or jams (Chyawanprash).
 

Conclusion

Thus, Ayurveda offers endless possibilities for the betterment of our health and lifestyle. Ayurveda in modern life can be easily incorporated into our lives. Living according to the Ayurvedic lifestyle can help us live with better immunity and emotional well-being. In today’s technological world, ayurvedic products are readily and easily available online. 

The best Ayurveda college in Kerala, School of Ayurveda and Panchakarma offers Ayurveda treatments and certified Ayurveda courses.