Ayurvedic
Guide to Wellness
Seven
Basic Steps to Health and Longevity
The
most basic of activities have a profound influence on our well-being.
Yet it is these very basic activities that are often accorded
second, third or last place in our daily lives. It is time to
take a good hard look at our daily routines and re-learn the basics
that are essential for health and longevity.
Breathe!
Breath is essential for survival, and breathing the first and
most basic activity we learn. On average, we breathe 22,000 times
a day, and how we breathe is crucial to good health and longevity.
The deeper, slower and smoother we breathe, the more prana (life-force)
we provide to the physiology. Deep breathing forces us to slow
down and relax, helping over the long-term to fight the effects
of stress. From the perspective of modern science as well, more
oxygen to the blood, brain and muscles helps elevate energy levels
and maximize mental performance. But because of sheer lack of
attention to this most basic of functions and the multiple stressors
we are bombarded with all day long, few of us remember to breathe
deeply or correctly. We take quick shallow breaths hurriedly,
often through the mouth instead of the nose, as we rush about
our daily activities. It's time to re-learn how to breathe for
health and longevity.
Pranayama
is a traditional series of breathing exercises often taught with
yoga. If you can, find a good yoga instructor to instruct you
in this ancient science of breathing for health. Even if you do
not learn pranayama, stay attentive to how you breathe, and you
will automatically start to breathe deeper and slower. It is also
good to set aside some times during the day for aware breathing-as
upon awaking, before going to bed, before workouts, before and
during meditation etc. Deep breathing before bed can hasten sleep
and improve the quality of sleep. Breathing deeper before exercising
helps enhance energy levels and increase the output from your
workouts. During times of pressure, sit down and breathe deeply
before you respond.
Drink
water
The elixir of life is the second most important ingredient for
well-being, and again, one that is often overlooked by many of
us. Water is essential not only for rehydration but also forms
the basis of good blood, dewy skin and healthy body tissues. Every
cell in your body, as well as the space between cells, every tissue
and every organ needs water. From the perspective of modern science
as well, drinking about one-half of your weight in fluid ounces
of water each day is essential for health. While ayurvedic healers
do not specify a blanket quantity, they recommend using your urine
as a guide to whether you need to drink more water-if your urine
is not clear or it looks too concentrated, you need more water.
Inadequate water can cause headaches and grogginess and more severe
dehydration has even more serious health repercussions. As we
grow older, our body's thirst signals become weaker, and it is
then even more important to remember to drink enough water through
the day.
While
we need to drink a lot of water through the day, it's important
to sip the water over time rather than gulp down large quantities
at a time. Do not drink too much water just
