MAINTAINING HEALTH THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
/Ayurveda observes patterns and through patterns, we can create health or ill-health. This time of year happens to be when people become ill around the holidays. There is an overindulgence of treats, foods, staying up late, burning the candle at both ends, stress, and emotional/mental upheaval for various reasons. This year especially is a time of year to be mindful of our immune system being that we are currently in a pandemic and observing how the smallest little influence (the COVID virus) can impact a whole world.
Similarly, in Ayurveda, we know that it is the little things that build-up to the bigger things and this can either refer to remaining in good health OR creating the circumstances for ill health. In Ayurveda, we have a scientific term known as Samprapti (“the Six-Stages of Disease Manifestation”) which refers to just this understanding that disease usually starts out way before it is full-fledged. You can view this link HERE to have a general comprehension of disease pathology. We start with the little things and they slowly progress when unmanaged. In order to return to health, we start with the little things and they slowly create the bigger thing which is optimal health. Beginning with the foundation is an important key and component in Ayurveda to helping to maintain health and/or regain health. In the general sense, Diet (Ahara) and Lifestyle (Vihara) are the foundations of health and ill-health. What are the little things that you are doing to either support your health or counter it?
Here are some basic recommendations to consider and implement year-round but especially this time of year:
1) Maintain a consistent schedule
2) Maintain meal times around the same time each day
3) Maintain sleep time around the same time each day, as much as possible
4) Ideally falling asleep should occur at 10, bedtime is before then
5) Determine what meal times work best for you. An overall ideal, according to Ayurveda is one meal around 11 and the other around 6 BUT this also depends on your constitution, your age, your digestive capacity/metabolic capacity, the time of year, and whether there are pre-existing health issues. Also, eat when hungry. Do not skip meals, once in a regimen and you’ve determined where you are at in your health or replace them with exercise.
6) Properly hydrate but don’t fall into the herding mentality that you should drink 8 glasses of water a day or 1/2 your body weight in ounces. Instead, listen to your body’s intelligence and drink when you’re thirsty. Hydrate properly. Drinking coffee doesn’t count since it has the opposite extreme effect. A combination of teas, hot/warm/cool water (depending on digestion and constitution), and electrolyte based beverages.
7) Exercise and exercise properly for your constitution. The ideal time to exercise is before 10 am. The next best time is before sunset. Do not replace meal times with exercise! Find your max point/threshold but don’t overdo it when exercising.
8) Perform practices that help center you and soften you from the worldly stressors such as meditation, painting, time with nature, baths, massages, quiet time, stillness times, watching a light-hearted movie, exploring hobbies, connecting with dear ones (in person or virtually, especially taking into account the current pandemic restrictions), constructive projects, and anything that gives you a break from any stress you may have. Don’t push yourself!
9) Dress appropriately for the weather. Keep your neck and ears and head protected from the cold elements.
10) Lubricate properly by hydrating and ensuring food has adequate oils. Nourishing the inside of the body takes care of much of the outside of the body. Health is mainly an inside job.
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