I would like to share with you techniques for living a happy and healthy life in the light of the world’s oldest science of well-being.
This teaching is Ayurveda, which is also the world’s oldest medical system.
Today it is taught in medical schools not only in the countries of the region, mainly in India, but also in Western countries such as the USA and the UK.
According to the Ayurvedic system of medicine, each person is unique. With the Tri-dosha theory, which categorizes this uniqueness, we identify our own unique structure called Prakruti. We can also call this our own GPS point.
Thus, our strengths and weaknesses can be identified and appropriate recommendations and treatments can be organized.
By balancing the increases of these 3 Dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), in short, the force, it is possible to live a long life free of disease and with youthful vigor.
Ayurveda’s definition of health: It is a state of complete physical, psychological and social well-being.
Its main goal is to protect the health of people and enable them to achieve the goals described in the following 4 articles;
DHARMA: A good point of personal and social fulfillment,
ARTHA : To have the necessary wealth for a good life.
KAMA : Satisfaction of desire and pleasure,
Mokshaishana (Mokshaishana): To achieve inner peace, happiness and the satisfaction of doing good faithfully.
Here is the Ayurvedic medical system’s practical roadmap for you to achieve a true state of well-being;
1. Learn your Prakruti (your body type, which does not change throughout your life). This is the degree of dominance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha within you. This will enable you to know and balance your strengths and sensitivities.
2. Balanced nutrition: Nutritional techniques that suit your own structure and needs. In addition, techniques to eat what you want without harming you, without poisoning you.
Some examples of these are;
Eating fruit at different times from meals. For example, it is unhealthy to put fresh fruit in yogurt.
You should definitely use some spices with meat.
3. Daily Routine (Dinacharya): Tailored daily routine recommendations designed for you will help you live a fit and disease-free life.
Establishing a daily routine harmonizes with natural circadian rhythms and promotes balance. Following a consistent routine with appropriate wake-up times, self-care practices, and regular meal times helps regulate bodily functions and supports overall health.
4. Stay hydrated: Drinking warm water throughout the day helps with digestion, detoxification, and maintaining proper bodily functions. For example, Ayurveda recommends avoiding iced or cold drinks, especially during the cold season, as they are considered to disturb the digestive fire (Agni). But you don’t have to drink large amounts of water every day. You should also consider your own constitution and environmental conditions.
5. Yoga and exercise: Regular physical activity is very important to maintain balance and prevent stagnation. Yoga and Ayurvedic principles are very compatible. For complete and true health, the Ayurvedic specialist recommends specific pranayama breathing techniques, meditation and yoga asanas. Doctors even include them in their prescriptions. It is very useful to adapt your exercise routine according to your Prakruti (body type) and Vikruti. It is best to choose activities that increase strength and flexibility without straining your body.
Ayurveda can show you the best way to choose the right sports and exercises for you.
For example, for some body types, Ayurveda recommends activities such as competitive sports and dance instead of indoor treadmills.
6. Ayurvedic massage (Abhyanga): Abhyanga, or self-massage with warm oil, is a therapeutic practice in Ayurveda. It nourishes the skin, increases circulation and calms the nervous system. There is a choice of oils according to your prakruti or problems for optimal benefit.
While your nervous system is balanced, the youthfulness of your skin is also ensured.
7. Adequate sleep: Good quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Ayurveda recommends practical techniques and herbal supplements if you are having trouble adjusting to the natural sleep-wake cycle. Create a relaxing bedtime routine that works for you. This will keep your theta brainwaves regular and help you maintain your youthful energy and vitality.
8. Herbal Support: Ayurvedic herbs and spices play an important role in promoting health. According to Ayurveda, everything is medicine. Plants are used in the most effective way through a 3000 year old system. The goal, as always, is to prevent illness, slow down aging, and eradicate potential disease. Turmeric, ginger, ashwagandha, and triphala are examples of plants known for their healing properties. As you know, turmeric proved to be a successful and effective medicine in the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Your Ayurvedic practitioner will help you incorporate the herbs that meet your needs into your routine.
9. Stress Management: Stress adversely affects overall health. According to Western medicine, stress is the cause of an average of 80% of diseases. Ayurveda emphasizes stress management through practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises (pranayama), yoga asanas, and herbal remedies. These practices help to balance the nervous system and reduce stress-related imbalances.
10. Detoxification (Panchakarma): In the Ayurvedic medical system, there are 5 basic treatments that are used for the root treatment of diseases. It is recommended to apply 5 of them regularly and of course under the supervision of a specialist doctor. The goal is to live a disease-free life with youthful energy.
Think of it like the regular maintenance of your car. If it is well maintained, it will not leave you on the road and will perform well. If you don’t have annual maintenance, your car will definitely cause problems.
Ayurvedic detoxification therapies, known as Panchakarma, remove accumulated toxins from the body, calm your nervous system and cleanse your filtering organs.
11. Seasonal Adjustments (Ritucharya): Ayurveda does not ignore the effect of the seasons on the body. It is very helpful to adjust your lifestyle, diet and routine according to the seasonal changes to maintain balance. For example, in winter you can opt for warming foods and practices to counteract the cold.
12. Maintain emotional balance: In Ayurveda, emotional health is an integral part of physical health. Cultivate positive emotions, engage in activities that bring you joy, and try to build healthy relationships. Practices such as mindfulness meditation contribute to emotional balance. Recognizing and focusing on the positive aspects of your life will keep your well-being high. Because we are exposed to what we focus on.
13. Periodic balancing: In addition to Panchakarma, herbal supplements and herbal teas recommended as per your needs for one month every 6 months will help you maintain your cellular youth.
In conclusion, Ayurveda helps you achieve physical, psychological and social well-being by addressing the unique nature of each individual and achieving balance in various aspects of life.
Focusing on and trying to improve your well-being in life is the true purpose of your life.
As I always say, we didn’t come to this life to work. When we are healthy and happy, we increase the happiness of those around us, and together we can live a happy and healthy life with our loved ones.
Stay healthy.
Dr. Buğra Öktem
Ayurveda Specialist