Benefits of Ayurvedic Self-Care
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Today, let’s look at the benefits of Ayurvedic self-care. With all the busyness and distractions of our daily life, sometimes it can be hard to take care of ourselves. And when we want to improve our health, we may get caught up in the latest thing that’s on TikTok.
How wonderful that the sages of Ayurveda have laid out time-tested practices of dinacharya, daily routines to support our wellbeing, longevity, happiness and contentment!
These are routines that we can put in place in the morning before work or school and in the evenings to prepare for bed. I also like to set aside time on Saturdays for the luxury of extra self-care, pampering myself Ayurvedically.
The Ayurvedic sages explain how to distinguish what is good for us from what is bad for us, what supports a happy life and what leads to more suffering, how to know the difference between enough and too much. A happy and balanced life is the main benefit of dinacharya.
To make a self-care plan, we examine five areas of our lives. How are you doing on diet? Are you munching a power bar in your car on the way to work or sitting down to a warm, nurturing breakfast? Are you grabbing something from Whole Foods on the way home or cooking a delicious supper? Do you eat lunch at your desk or take time to eat mindfully?
How about exercise? Do you plan your daily or weekly exercise or live a mostly sedentary existence? Could you park a little further away or take the stairs instead of the elevator?
Next, consider your overall lifestyle. Do you live in a rush? Is your leisure time mostly television? Or do you have a daily routine that is mindful and calm?
What about habits? Does your day revolve around that morning coffee, the wine with dinner or the bedtime toke? Are there substances that are getting the better of you and dominating your life?
Finally, how are you supporting your spiritual resilience? Do you have contemplative practices to nourish your soul? Do you take time away from the everyday cares to contemplate the ultimate meaning of life? Do you gather with members of your faith community?
Once you make this kind of self-assessment, it may be easy to see what areas of your life need work. Maybe you’re fantastic at exercising but hooked on coffee. Maybe you’re substance-free but never have time to cook for yourself. You can begin a step-by-step plan to make your life more nurturing and nourishing.
Ayurveda has two main branches, disease management and svasthavritta—health maintenance through daily and seasonal routines. So, you can benefit from an Ayurvedic consultation even if you are not sick. We’ll help you look at your strengths and weaknesses in the five areas of healthy living and work with you to create a plan for a nurturing and supportive daily routine.
Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.
Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!
