MAKING TIME

Often I hear people say “they don’t have time” but in essence, they are correct without really knowing what they are saying. To have time can mean to really be capable of organizing and structuring yourself in a way so that certain tasks are accomplished within the confinement of time. To not have time implies that this organization and structure is either lacking or overwhelmed. Sometimes life happens, and in phases where there can be more events going on than others but all of life itself and the time within it isn’t necessarily a constant in this way.

When it comes to health, oftentimes I have heard people say they do not have time to take care of themselves. Very often, in my experience, as time has progressed I see how when time isn’t created for self-care that there is a breaking point with health and that breaking point causes people to stop everything they are doing because all that is pre-occupying them is the need to address health after some condition has developed and demands the time for it to be cared for, right now and immediately. Ayurveda is a substantiated science of medicine that has been established for thousands of years and proven to be effective and it shares that the causes (Nidana) of ill health are a result of diet (Ahara) and lifestyle (Vihara) and mind ((Manas being afflicted by chaotic (Rajasic) or inert/dull/ignorant (Tamasic) tendencies.)) The prevention and alleviation of ill-health occurs by addressing and avoiding the causative factors (Nidana Parivarjana) that aggravate the dosha which sets the ball in motion known as Dosha-Dushya-Summurchana (the conglomeration of the doshas that affect the tissues and other systems of the body. Outside of external causes (Aguntaja) such as traumas of all sorts, ill-health starts within (Nija).

We are each responsible for our own health and it is up to us to do our due diligence in order to maintain this. Hence, making time for ourselves regularly will help prevent accruing enough little things to turn into big things. The earlier in life we start these practices, the better the outcome can be as optimal as possible. However, no matter when we start, the best time is now and the investment is worth it. Falling apart doesn’t have to happen but tends to occur regularly with those who do not implement appropriate practices to encourage optimal health. There’s no time like now so why not start if you haven’t or if you have, then why not go deeper? Are you ready? Willing? I hope so. Ayurveda can help with this amazingly! All you have to do is make time. But remember, if you don’t make time now, then time will eventually force you to do so or you sacrifice health completely and reach a threshold where the point of no return exists and all that can be done at that point is manage it to the best of your ability with limitations.

One of the main reasons why Ayurveda was created was/is to support what is called the Purusharthas or the four goals of human pursuit. These goals are Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Dharma, represents our purpose in life. Artha, represents our material gains that evolve as part of our purpose and what we obtain during our lives. Kama, is the enjoyment of such things, and Moksha is mainly the freedom, lightness, non-attachment, and fluidity of such things. When we are in good health it makes it easier to experience these goals as part of life. Ill-health makes it more difficult and at times and for some people ill-health is simply part of the journey that deepens our experience in certain ways as long as the mind can stay on top of such things rather than fall victim and feel tremendous suffering.

Ayurveda knows this and suggests that health is contingent upon the time that we dedicate towards ourselves and the efforts we make to maintain our well-being. It is possible to experience a level of homeostasis within health as we are living in the world, knowing at times there will be fluctuations simply because that is part of life. BUT, it is important to follow practices such as Dinacarya (daily) and Rtucharaya (seasonal) protocols to support the adventures of health and life (Ayu.) Vihara (Lifestyle) practices such as sleep, sex, exercise, mentally productive activities, yoga, meditation, and diet (Ahara) to sustain. It is understood in Ayurveda that the body is a historical system and requires consistency for health. What we do today can affect tomorrow and what we do today can affect the outcomes of yesterday to a degree. Making choices to support health care starts now and requires commitment and dedication. Once this is firmly established, you’ll get into a rhythm where you don’t have to work so hard at it all the time and address the particular moments that do arise, because in reality…moments in life happen.

HERE ARE SOME BASIC SUGGESTIONS IN MAKING TIME WORK WITH YOU VERSUS AGAINST YOU:

1) Create a schedule

2) If you have a schedule already, refine it, re-define it, reassess it, and see how it’s working for you, or not.

3) Stay close to the schedule. Know that this is a way you are affirming yourself by keeping to a certain level of structure. HERE

4) Follow some of the basic guidelines with Dinacarya (daily) practices as shown HERE and seasonal (rtu) practices HERE.

5) Get a massage. I’ve heard people say that they don’t have the luxury for one reason or another but remember that getting a massage isn’t so much a luxury as it is an investment in your health and prevention in reducing how much you spend in co-pays for things that have to be addressed in the mind and body that can be reduced or alleviated simply by regular massage. This also gives you that 60-90-120 minutes to be with yourself. Make sure the massage therapist isn’t talking much. The experience of this can act as a reset. HERE

6) Set some time each day just for you. Doing the previously mentioned Dinacarya practices will easily help with this.

7) Find something you enjoy, that brings you joy and feels light and spend time doing it. Have regular fun! Dance around! Dance like no one is watching. Dance like everyone is watching. Explore your own freedom. Let your hair down. Let go and simply play a little. Let the inner child out here and there.

8) Take a bath. Stay longer in the shower. Take a walk. Turn off the TV. Turn off the music. Turn inward however you can and start from there, where you’re at, and build on this a little each day, each week, each month.

9) If you find yourself fighting against yourself, this will only exhaust you more due to this friction you’re creating. Take a step back. Take a pause. Take a breath. Take a power nap. Take yourself out into nature or even take yourself to see a friend.

10) There are many hidden gems to being affected by this pandemic. One gem is the way it encourages us to be more with ourselves. Take advantage of this by managing the time you have more of by doing some self-care.

11) As the season continues to transition into winter, we are encouraged to go inside more and make use of the time to maybe go to bed earlier since it’s getting darker earlier. Getting up earlier means having more time to do things in the morning such as meditate, walk, yoga, read mentally productive and stimulating but not stressful (like the news.) Enjoy the quiet of the morning. The yogis know that early morning time is better for inspiration and creativity as the world is more still, or at least the world around you tends to be.

12) Consider yourself worthy of the investment and that the abundance of your life depends on how well you treat yourself. You won’t regret and your body will thank you, especially if you do bounce back quicker from something that normally would have lasted longer.

13) Finally, if you’d like support with this, feel free to message me. I love being of service and we can figure it out together!

DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.