6 Ayurvedic habits that will make your life and health better

If you quickly become tired and in any sense “catch on the fly” catch any infection, then it's time to take a closer look at Ayurvedic practices.

Ayurvedic habits  will make your health better- Health Fearless

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing method, which is based on a holistic and balanced approach to health. All its theoretical and practical parts are built around three doshas, or energies: Vata, pitta, and Kapha, which are in every person. “The instructions for the use of Ayurveda” spell out everything from food to practices and training.

For those who want to know more, a huge amount of material has been collected in the modern information space today. We will limit ourselves to simple and understandable changes in the diet, training and skincare procedures that can easily change the quality of life. 

In order to include them in your daily life, you will need a little attention and willpower. The main thing is balance and the ability to use what is right for you. Believe me, the results will not belong in coming.

Drink water at room temperature

We will not point fingers, but everyone knows how in some countries they like to pour mountains of ice cubes into drinking water. Forget about it. Never drink ice water and at home, keep a jug of drinking water on the kitchen table, not in the refrigerator - it says one of the first Ayurvedic rules. 

“In Ayurveda, Agni - inner fire - is the key to good metabolism and absorption of nutrients,” says Shrankhla Cholecek, Ayurvedic expert and founder of UMA Oils. It is believed that cold water "suppresses digestive fire", which in turn leads to deterioration in indigestion and low metabolism, as well as to the subsequent accumulation of toxins.

 So from now on, decisively switch to room temperature water (even a little warmer if possible). When the water is not icy, it is easier to drink during the day,

In fact, when you put something wet and cold in your intestines, it’s harder for them to digest, so the process slows down. According to Laura Kobern, a certified specialist in Ayurvedic yoga, "it is recommended to drink water about 20 minutes before or 20 minutes after eating, so as not to dilute the digestive juices or to weaken this fire."

Prioritize Good Digestion

You must admit that few people seriously think about their digestion while it is working normally, and you do not have serious health problems. But if you observe the situation, it will become clear that the overall well-being directly depends on what-how-when we eat. This is what a huge stratum in Ayurvedic practices is dedicated to. 

“For optimal digestion,” explains Cholecek, “warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cloves, even pepper (but should not be abused) are strongly recommended.” In addition, natural fruit juices such as lemon or lime are useful.

There is even a special Ayurvedic pre-digestive mixture of fresh lime juice, crushed ginger, and honey, which can be drunk before meals to start digestion. In addition, there are various dietary supplements that help increase the efficiency of digestion and absorption - they should also be looked at.

Another, perhaps more important practice is the knowledge that not everything is equally useful for each dosha (and person). One of the main and favorite “terms” in Ayurveda is “depends on the person”: most of the recommendations depend on what happens during a particular meal, at a specific time and with a particular person.

 Nevertheless, in any case, you need to chew food thoroughly, limit the intake of too oily or liquid foods (which suppresses digestive fire) and ... do not feel guilty if something went wrong. It’s better to quickly cure upset stomach than drink antidepressants all your life.

Practice yoga

Yoga is an integral part of Ayurveda, and it is extremely important because it focuses not only on creating strength in your body but also on the integrity of the mind and body. 

Consistent yoga practice allows us to spend more time “inside” our parasympathetic nervous system, and not just “inside” the sympathetic nervous system (this is the part of our body that controls the reaction of struggle or flight, in which most of us are usually located). In addition, yoga just helps you feel good. 

There is no more euphoric state than after a good yoga class. And most importantly, this takes only a few minutes a day. Literally, a few basic asanas give you the opportunity to focus on your body and your mind, moving away from extraneous noise. Simple sitting postures, such as a hero and a lotus.

Choose Seasonal Skin Care

Ayurveda teaches you to be attentive to the changing seasons - and this applies not only to clothing but also to nutrition and skincare. Ayurveda relies on a system of scientific and practical knowledge, which is rooted in ancient belief systems about the structure of the human body and its close connection with the environment in which it exists. 

Thus, the environment and seasonal changes, in particular, can have a strong influence on the constitution of the body and physiological processes - from metabolism to secretion of hormones.

“In winter,” says Shankara Cholecek, “Ayurvedic skincare guidelines focus on exfoliating, while in summer, with increased redness and rashes, cooling ingredients like aloe, rose water and sandalwood are required. In autumn, we face many problems that appear during skin aging. 

At this time, your skin should be protected from sudden changes in temperature - from excessive heat and excessive cold. In addition, this is the best time to pamper your skin with additional nutrition so that it retains its natural oils and moisture. ”

Rub your skin weekly with a dry brush and massage daily with oils. The idea of ​​exfoliating the body is not new (in fact, far from new). Dry brushing is a traditional Ayurvedic practice used to detoxify the lymphatic system, restore and exfoliate the skin. This ritual improves blood circulation and blood flow. 

Experts advise using a dry brush made of plant bristles and gently brush it on the body from the bottom up and from the periphery to the heart until the skin turns slightly red.

It is better not to use oil during rubbing, but after a gentle massage, it will be very helpful. Essential oils such as cypress, juniper, and patchouli help retain fluid, while rosemary, cinnamon and citrus help improve blood circulation. ”

Eat warm food

Each person consists of three doshas, ​​although one of them is usually dominant. Diet plays a major role in keeping doshas in good shape. An important part of it is the reception of warm food.

 Solving this problem is as simple as possible: every time sitting down at the table and making a choice between a salad and a hot dish, invariably choose the second - hot. This helps to get enough and again improves digestion. Soups, stews, cereals - all this should be firmly established in the daily diet.